GOH HOPES IRAN WILL CHANGE ITS PLANS RE

S E C R E T BUDAPEST 000320

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EUR AND NEA; PLEASE PASS TO NSC FOR ADAM
STERLING

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/01/2017
TAGS: PREL HU IR
SUBJECT: GOH HOPES IRAN WILL CHANGE ITS PLANS RE
AMBASSADORIAL CONFERENCE

REF: STATE 24801 AND PREVIOUS

Classified By: POL/C ERIC V. GAUDIOSI; REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)


1. (S) DCM met with Senior State Secretary (Deputy Foreign
Minister-equivalent) Dr. Marta Fekszi March 2 to deliver
reftel guidance in response to the GoH's recent approach re a
potential Iranian ambassadorial conference in Budapest.


2. (S) Dr. Fekszi expressed her appreciation for our rapid
response and clearly understood our concerns. She noted that
the GoH had advised the Iranian Ambassador that FM Goncz will
be in South Korea during the dates of the proposed Iranian
Ambassadorial conference (April 12 - 14),but added that
their response had been to suggest new dates (April 5 - 6)
and to add a request for a meeting with President Solyom.


3. (S) Dr. Fekszi said she had immediately given a negative
response, and commented to us that "it would be best just to
avoid this entirely." She will undertake to contact the
Iranian Ambassador early next week and will attempt to
"create the circumstances under which they will change their
minds" and not pursue the Ambassador's conference. Even if
the Iranians still arrive in Budapest, she will confirm that
there will be no reception by the President, PM or FM.
(Note: She mentioned that Iran had alluded to other possible
venues in addition to Budapest in their previous contacts, so
they were not "the only option." End Note.)


4. (S) Dr. Fekszi also referred to an "unpleasant" situation
involving a local employee of the Hungarian embassy in Tehran
as a complicating factor. DCM seized on this opportunity to
underscore our point that the conference could create the
perception of toleration for Iranian behavior when
international solidarity is critical to ongoing diplomatic
efforts. Dr. Fekszi agreed to keep us closely apprised.


5. (S) PolCouns reiterated our points in a separate
conversation with MFA Asia Division Deputy Director Miklos
Lengyel, emphasizing our concerns with the level of contact
with GoH officials and the importance of countering any
Iranian attempts to misrepresent the conference. Lengyel -
who was unaware of discussions between the DCM and Dr. Fekszi
- noted that our recommended approach would all but guarantee
Iran's refusal to proceed with the conference. He recognized
that this would be "a political decision" for the GoH.
FOLEY