HUNGARIAN VIEWS ON ENSURING EFFECTIVE

C O N F I D E N T I A L BUDAPEST 000174 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT PLEASE PASS TO NSC FOR ADAM STERLING E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/07/2017 TAGS: KNNP EFIN HU SUBJECT: HUNGARIAN VIEWS ON ENSURING EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF UN SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION 1737 REF: SECSTATE 14071 Classified By: POL/C ERIC V. GAUDIOSI; REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D) ¶1. (C) Ambassador Foley delivered reftel demarche to Foreign Minister Kinga Goncz February 8 (other issues septel). Recently returned from a trip to the Middle East including stops in Jordan, Israel, and the West Bank, Goncz described the situation as "heartbreaking," with the level of frustration "hard to imagine." She believes all parties would welcome strong international pressure to reinvigorate the peace process, and expressed her strong support for moderate elements including President Abbas. ¶2. (C) Responding to Ambassador Foley's inquiry, FM Goncz noted "strong and growing" regional concerns regarding Iran, particularly the "clear link" between Tehran and Hamas. She appreciated the USG's position and emphasized the GoH's commitment to act in accordance with both the requirements of UNSCR 1737 and its obligations as an EU member. ¶3. (C) Goncz continued that there was "some low-level economic relationship," citing ongoing discussions between Iran and Hungarian companies, including ICARUS and the Hungarian Oil Company MOL, but underscored Budapest's commitment to "strictly uphold" the resolution and to take additional steps in keeping with its spirit. For example, the GoH has quietly contacted universities in Hungary to check on the 600 - 700 Iranian students in the country and will request that institutions restrict their access to "sensitive subjects." FOLEY