MUTED HUNGARIAN RESPONSE TO DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN

UNCLAS BUDAPEST 001178 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR DRL/AE WENDY SILVERMAN AND EUR/CARC LANE BAHL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KDEM OSCE PGOV PHUM PREL HU SUBJECT: MUTED HUNGARIAN RESPONSE TO DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS CONCERNS IN AZERBAIJAN REF: SECSTATE 99391 ¶1. (SBU) On 19 July POLOFF met with MFA Azerbaijan Desk Officer, Sandor Csikos, concerning reftel. POLOFF mentioned MFA State Secretary Dr Laszlo Szoke's recent discussions with the Ambassador expressing GOH interest in the subject. Csikos confirmed awareness of the challenges to media freedom in Azerbaijan, commenting that the FM raised the issue of the jailed journalists during her recent visit to Baku. That said, while appreciative of the updated information concerning the right of assembly and the Aliyev trial, Csikos stated that Hungarian concerns in such matters are currently expressed primarily through the OSCE. ¶2. (SBU) COMMENT. With planning for a regional embassy, most likely in Tiblisi, on the drawing boards, Post anticipates, except for the occasional delegation visits, current budgetary issues will minimize direct action from the Hungarians in the near future on most issues in Azerbaijan. As Csikos noted to POLOFF, they are just beginning the process to establish a more permanent presence in the region. FOLEY