2007 COUNTRY TERRORISM REPORT ON TERRORISM: HUNGARY

UNCLAS BUDAPEST 001980 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/NCE AND S/CT - RHONDA SHORE; PLEASE PASS TO NCTC E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PTER KPAO KHLS KCRM EFIN AEMR ASEC HU SUBJECT: 2007 COUNTRY TERRORISM REPORT ON TERRORISM: HUNGARY ¶1. Hungarian authorities remain fully supportive of the military, economic, and political aspects of the Global War on Terror. Hungary has made a long-term commitment to continue its leadership of a Provincial Reconstruction Team in Afghanistan and is proceeding with plans to increase its deployments there. The Hungarian government supports USG initiatives against al-Qaida and other terrorist organizations, both within its borders and abroad. The Hungarian government continues to fully implement domestic legislation to ensure compliance with EU norms re financial transactions and money laundering. ¶2. Hungary is not a safehaven for terrorists. The Hungarian government closely monitors potential extremists, including Hungarian nationals. There are no known terrorist groups operating openly in Hungary. ¶3. The Hungarian government continues to demonstrate its strong commitment to safeguarding Americans and U.S. interests, as exemplified by their support for security provisions for the planned expansion of the embassy. Officials maintain a clos dialogue with U.S. officials on terrorism and to make clear their readiness to take legal action against those tied to terrorist organizations. There have been no terrorist acts against American nationals or U.S. interests. ¶4. Cooperation on border security issues remains excellent in both the bilateral and regional context. Hungary will assume responsibility for easternmost Schengen border in December 2007. Its preparations for this responsibility, including the merger of the Border Guards into the National Police, will further enhance its ability to monitor their border for individuals and items of concern. Hungarian authorities cooperated with Slovak counterparts in a law enforcement operation which resulted in the seizure of radioactive materials in Slovakia in November 2007. This demonstrates their continued commitment to improving their technical ability to trace and control dangerous materials. FOLEY