Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BUDAPEST333
2007-03-06 06:11:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Budapest
Cable title:
GUIDANCE REQUEST: POTENTIAL MILITARY TRANSFER TO
how-toVZCZCXRO6389 OO RUEHTRO DE RUEHUP #0333 0650611 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 060611Z MAR 07 FM AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0873 INFO RUEHTRO/AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI PRIORITY 0001
C O N F I D E N T I A L BUDAPEST 000333
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/05/2017
TAGS: PREL MARR HU LY
SUBJECT: GUIDANCE REQUEST: POTENTIAL MILITARY TRANSFER TO
LIBYA
Classified By: P/E COUNSELOR ERIC V. GAUDIOSI; REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L BUDAPEST 000333
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/05/2017
TAGS: PREL MARR HU LY
SUBJECT: GUIDANCE REQUEST: POTENTIAL MILITARY TRANSFER TO
LIBYA
Classified By: P/E COUNSELOR ERIC V. GAUDIOSI; REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)
1. (C) This is an action message. Please see para 6 for
action request.
2. (SBU) MFA Director for Non-Proliferation Andras Toth
called PolEcon Counselor March 5 to discuss an "urgent and
discreet issue."
3. (C) He explained that the GoH is currently considering a
Libyan request to purchase replacement batteries for "sigint
and jamming equipment" purchased from Hungary in 1981.
(Note: Toth did not have all the technical details in
response to our inquiry, but described the transfer as small
and said the equipment in question is the Hungarian version
of Russian technology from the 1970s commonly referred to as
the "Sahara." End note.)
4. (C) Toth added that a Libyan delegation had visited
Hungary in late January to discuss the sale - unbeknownst to
the MFA. Toth stated that he had vigorously protested this
step within the interministerial body which advises the
national licensing authority on arms transfers, as standard
practice calls for licenses to be reviewed in principle
before any negotiations begin. With the support of the MFA
at the State Secretary (UnderSecretary-equivalent),he had
argued that the transfer could cause diplomatic problems with
Washington in order to win a temporary delay.
5. (C) Having temporarily blocked review of the transfer,
Toth now asked for our opinion of the proposed transfer,
commenting that he is committed to upholding appropriate
restrictions on arms transfers. He admitted, however, that
he perceives our relationship with Libya as having "evolved
considerably," and conceded that he "does not want to be more
Catholic than the Pope."
6. (C) If Washington voices no objections to the proposed
transfer, it is our impression that the MFA will fall off its
objections to the proposed transfer, whatever their criticism
of the process to date. We request Department's guidance in
order to respond to Toth before the next meeting of the
interministerial review body on March 10.
Minimize Considered
FOLEY
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/05/2017
TAGS: PREL MARR HU LY
SUBJECT: GUIDANCE REQUEST: POTENTIAL MILITARY TRANSFER TO
LIBYA
Classified By: P/E COUNSELOR ERIC V. GAUDIOSI; REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)
1. (C) This is an action message. Please see para 6 for
action request.
2. (SBU) MFA Director for Non-Proliferation Andras Toth
called PolEcon Counselor March 5 to discuss an "urgent and
discreet issue."
3. (C) He explained that the GoH is currently considering a
Libyan request to purchase replacement batteries for "sigint
and jamming equipment" purchased from Hungary in 1981.
(Note: Toth did not have all the technical details in
response to our inquiry, but described the transfer as small
and said the equipment in question is the Hungarian version
of Russian technology from the 1970s commonly referred to as
the "Sahara." End note.)
4. (C) Toth added that a Libyan delegation had visited
Hungary in late January to discuss the sale - unbeknownst to
the MFA. Toth stated that he had vigorously protested this
step within the interministerial body which advises the
national licensing authority on arms transfers, as standard
practice calls for licenses to be reviewed in principle
before any negotiations begin. With the support of the MFA
at the State Secretary (UnderSecretary-equivalent),he had
argued that the transfer could cause diplomatic problems with
Washington in order to win a temporary delay.
5. (C) Having temporarily blocked review of the transfer,
Toth now asked for our opinion of the proposed transfer,
commenting that he is committed to upholding appropriate
restrictions on arms transfers. He admitted, however, that
he perceives our relationship with Libya as having "evolved
considerably," and conceded that he "does not want to be more
Catholic than the Pope."
6. (C) If Washington voices no objections to the proposed
transfer, it is our impression that the MFA will fall off its
objections to the proposed transfer, whatever their criticism
of the process to date. We request Department's guidance in
order to respond to Toth before the next meeting of the
interministerial review body on March 10.
Minimize Considered
FOLEY