MFA LOOKS FORWARD TO JANUARY 26 NATO MINISTERIAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BUDAPEST 000076

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT PLEASE PASS TO NSC FOR ADAM STERLING

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/16/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV MOPS EAID
SUBJECT: MFA LOOKS FORWARD TO JANUARY 26 NATO MINISTERIAL
DISCUSSION OF AFGHANISTAN AND KOSOVO

REF: A) STATE 4834 B) BUDAPEST 70 C) STATE 5652 D)

STATE 5256

Classified By: POL/C Eric V. Gaudiosi; Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (U) This is an action message. Please see para xxx for
action request.


2. (C) Ambassador Foley reviewed the latest USG thinking on
Afghanistan and Kosovo with MFA Political Director Ivan
Udvardi in preparation for the upcoming meeting of NATO
Foreign Ministers in Brussels January 26.

AFGHANISTAN: HAPPY WITH PROGRESS; UNHAPPY WITH PROCESS


3. (C) Ambassador Foley outlined our objectives for
ministerial discussion per ref a guidance, emphasizing the
need to maintain the momentum from Riga. She particularly
highlighted the importance of additional IC assistance, more
robust counternarcotics efforts, and improved IC
coordination. She made clear that the US is preparing to
commit additional resources in Afghanistan, noted the recent
shipment of Hungary's donation of over 20,000 assault rifles
to Afghan Security Forces as a welcome example of the GoH's
efforts. We are looking to Allies to do what they can in
keeping with the priority and the urgency of the issue.


4. (C) Recently returned from a prolonged and serious bout
of pneumonia, Udvardi made clear his intention to take the
lead on Afghanistan in keeping with his responsibility for
NATO and security issues. He expressed his dissatisfaction
with efforts to coordinate all aspects of the PRT initiative
thus far, confiding that the MFA had proposed to PM Gyurcsany
that the Ministry take the lead on civilian implementation
efforts. He noted that the MFA has had responsibility in
fact but not authority in name thus far, and clearly wants
the Ministry to be in a position to "task and not just ask"
other agencies to act. He is hopeful the Prime Minister will
be receptive to their appeal, and reiterated State Secretary
Varkonyi's recent prediction that GoH projects will be on
line in March (ref b). Although his health prohibits him
from travelling for the time being, Udvardi was extremely
receptive to our suggestion that the GoH build public support
for the PRT mission by encouraging parliamentary and press
visits to the PRT.


5. (C) With particular regard to the EU's police training
mission in Afghanistan, Udvardi referred to ongoing
discussion of ESDP considerations within the Union but
emphasized the GoH's support for a flexible approach that
would promote cooperation among international organizations
on the ground.


6. (C) Udvardi applied the same pragmatic approach to
efforts to promote foreign participation in Hungary's PRT.
He hopes the inclusion of military contingents from other
nations in the PRT will pave the way for foreign NGO's to
participate, reiterating Hungary's commitment to "do our best
within our budgetary constraints." He expressed particular
hope in the prospect of enlisting Czech and Serbian support,
and has invited his Slovak counterpart to visit to discuss
cooperation in Afghanistan as a way to "let some fresh air
into our bilateral relationship."

KOSOVO: ON THE BORDER, ON THE SAME PAGE


7. (C) Turning to the Balkans, Udvardi noted that the GoH is
watching developments in Kosovo closely. He expressed "frank
concerns" about the current situation, emphasizing the
importance of moving forward in a way that enforces rather
than undermines regional stability. He cited recent US
decisions, particularly our support for a PfP invitation to
Serbia, as "very, very clever," and indicated that Hungary is
pressing the EU to move forward on resuming SAA talks with
Belgrade in order to avoid the "perfect storm" of "losing
Kosovo and the prospect of European integration." Although
he is cautiously optimistic regarding the upcoming elections
in Serbia - and made a particular point of noting Budapest's
strong ties to President Tadic - he warned that leaving
Belgrade "punished and isolated" would have "decades of
consequences." Udvardi also expressed concern over Moscow's
attitude, stating that the IC must resist Russian efforts to
use a Kosovo settlement as a "universal precedent."


8. (C) Udvardi welcomed the Ambassador's review of recent
guidance (refs c and d),particularly our commitment to a
continued civilian and military presence in Kosovo and to
close US-EU coordination. He suggested further discussions
on Kosovo in the weeks ahead, and specifically invited a

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high-level official from the Department to stop in Budapest
for more detailed consultations. Speaking more in
disappointment than in anger, he contrasted our openness with
Special Envoy Ahtisaari's attitude, noting Ahtisaari's
decision to "exclude" input from Hungary and other new EU
member states. (Note: Udvardi provided a copy of a
food-for-thought paper on the Balkans prepared in cooperation
with Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, and
Slovenia, which we have e-mailed to EUR/SCE. End Note.) "We
support his efforts," Udvardi stressed, "but we believe we
could have helped him ... and we know we'll have to live with
the consequences."


9. (C) Comment: Udvardi's return gives the MFA a stronger
hand in managing the Afghan and Balkan accounts. Known
throughout their bureaucracy as an effective bureaucratic
operator, he brings an open and results-oriented approach to
the PRT, which has been hampered by weak management from the
Prime Minister's Office. Although the MFA is making a
concerted effort to take the lead, others tell us that the PM
"never deals with personnel" and may be unlikely to make a
change. Udvardi and the MFA will be further constrained by
Hungary's budgetary situation, which leaves initiatives
beyond their PRT dependent largely on international funding
sources. On the Balkans, Udvardi has highlighted
long-standing Hungarian concerns about instability in
neighboring Serbia ... and disappointment over their
perceived exclusion from international diplomatic efforts.
That said, they recognize where we are headed on Kosovo, and
we will continue to keep them closely briefed in the weeks
ahead. End Comment.


10. (C) Action Request: Post strongly supports State
Secretary Udvardi's invitation for a high-level Department

SIPDIS
official to visit Budapest for consultations with GoH
officials as we move forward on Kosovo status.

Minimize Considered.

FOLEY