Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BUDAPEST275
2007-02-26 15:58:00
SECRET
Embassy Budapest
Cable title:
IRANIAN AMBASSADORS' CONFERENCE IN BUDAPEST
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHUP #0275 0571558 ZNY SSSSS ZZH O 261558Z FEB 07 FM AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0816
S E C R E T BUDAPEST 000275
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/NCE AND NEA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/25/2017
TAGS: PREL HU IR
SUBJECT: IRANIAN AMBASSADORS' CONFERENCE IN BUDAPEST
REF: BUDAPEST 186 AND PREVIOUS
Classified By: POL/C ERIC V. GAUDIOSI; REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)
S E C R E T BUDAPEST 000275
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/NCE AND NEA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/25/2017
TAGS: PREL HU IR
SUBJECT: IRANIAN AMBASSADORS' CONFERENCE IN BUDAPEST
REF: BUDAPEST 186 AND PREVIOUS
Classified By: POL/C ERIC V. GAUDIOSI; REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)
1. (U) This is an action message. Please see para 8 for
action request.
2. (U) MFA Deputy Director for Asia (DAS Equivalent) Miklos
Lengyel contacted Political Counselor to discuss a range of
issues February 26 (other issues septel).
3. (S) Lengyel informed us that the Iranian government has
asked to organize a regional conference for 12 - 15 Iranian
Ambassadors to European capitals in Budapest April 12 - 14.
Both the Iranian Foreign Minister and "Deputy Foreign
Minister for Europe and America" are planning to attend.
4. (S) Lengyel explained that the GoH had no reason to
refuse the request from a state with which it has diplomatic
relations. He reaffirmed the GoH's strong commitment to full
implementation of UNSCR 1737 in keeping with recent EU
decisions, and stated that the GoH would not accede to the
Iranian request for a meeting between Prime Minister
Gyurcsany and the Iranian FM. He noted, however, that
Foreign Minister Goncz had agreed to a courtesy call during
the conference.
5. (S) DCM, on travel in Amman, was contacted directly by
MFA State Secretary Fekszi to pass the same message. Both
Fekszi and Lengyel made clear that the GoH was informing more
than consulting, and Lengyel stated that it would be "very
difficult" for the GoH to reverse its decision.
6. (S) Post expressed appreciation for the information and
underscored our long-standing concerns re Iran, highlighted
by its pursuit of nuclear weapons. We noted certain interest
in the issue in Washington and advised that we would seek
guidance given our view that even the perception of
international engagement with Iran could undermine
international pressure on the Iranian regime.
7. (S) Lengyel emphasized in response that the sole
intention of any contacts with Iranian officials would be to
underscore the GoH's support for the pertinent UNSCRs. He
also invited any further message from Washington that the GoH
could helpfully convey to the Iranian FM.
8. (SBU) We note that neither PM Gyurcsany nor FM Goncz
raised this issue despite the opportunity afforded by private
meetings with Ambassador Foley February 25. We believe
engagement may be required both in Budapest and in Washington
on this issue, and request Department's guidance re a
response to the GoH.
FOLEY
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/NCE AND NEA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/25/2017
TAGS: PREL HU IR
SUBJECT: IRANIAN AMBASSADORS' CONFERENCE IN BUDAPEST
REF: BUDAPEST 186 AND PREVIOUS
Classified By: POL/C ERIC V. GAUDIOSI; REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)
1. (U) This is an action message. Please see para 8 for
action request.
2. (U) MFA Deputy Director for Asia (DAS Equivalent) Miklos
Lengyel contacted Political Counselor to discuss a range of
issues February 26 (other issues septel).
3. (S) Lengyel informed us that the Iranian government has
asked to organize a regional conference for 12 - 15 Iranian
Ambassadors to European capitals in Budapest April 12 - 14.
Both the Iranian Foreign Minister and "Deputy Foreign
Minister for Europe and America" are planning to attend.
4. (S) Lengyel explained that the GoH had no reason to
refuse the request from a state with which it has diplomatic
relations. He reaffirmed the GoH's strong commitment to full
implementation of UNSCR 1737 in keeping with recent EU
decisions, and stated that the GoH would not accede to the
Iranian request for a meeting between Prime Minister
Gyurcsany and the Iranian FM. He noted, however, that
Foreign Minister Goncz had agreed to a courtesy call during
the conference.
5. (S) DCM, on travel in Amman, was contacted directly by
MFA State Secretary Fekszi to pass the same message. Both
Fekszi and Lengyel made clear that the GoH was informing more
than consulting, and Lengyel stated that it would be "very
difficult" for the GoH to reverse its decision.
6. (S) Post expressed appreciation for the information and
underscored our long-standing concerns re Iran, highlighted
by its pursuit of nuclear weapons. We noted certain interest
in the issue in Washington and advised that we would seek
guidance given our view that even the perception of
international engagement with Iran could undermine
international pressure on the Iranian regime.
7. (S) Lengyel emphasized in response that the sole
intention of any contacts with Iranian officials would be to
underscore the GoH's support for the pertinent UNSCRs. He
also invited any further message from Washington that the GoH
could helpfully convey to the Iranian FM.
8. (SBU) We note that neither PM Gyurcsany nor FM Goncz
raised this issue despite the opportunity afforded by private
meetings with Ambassador Foley February 25. We believe
engagement may be required both in Budapest and in Washington
on this issue, and request Department's guidance re a
response to the GoH.
FOLEY