THE DEPUTY SECRETARY'S MEETING WITH HUNGARIAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 124067

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/30/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL HU
SUBJECT: THE DEPUTY SECRETARY'S MEETING WITH HUNGARIAN
AMBASSADOR SOMOGYI

(U) Classified by Deputy Secretary Negroponte, for reasons
1.4 (B) and (D)



1. (U) Participants:

U.S.
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The Deputy Secretary
Assistant Chief of Protocol Gladys Boluda
EUR Acting DAS Judith Garber
D Staff Gustavo Delgado
Marc Nordberg, EUR note taker

Hungary
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Appointed Ambassador Ferenc Somogyi
DCM Viktor Szederkenyi


2. (U) SUMMARY. On August 29, the Deputy Secretary
accepted credentials from Ferenc Somogyi, incoming

Hungarian Ambassador to the U.S. The two discussed the
main issues in the bilateral relationship, including the
visa waiver program, Cuba, Kosovo, and Russia. Somogyi
said he looked forward to continuing Hungary's support for
U.S.. efforts on a range of regional issues; with the
exception of visas, he saw no problems in the U.S.-
Hungarian relationship. END SUMMARY.

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VWP Only Bilateral Irritant
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3. (SBU) Somogyi opened by saying the U.S.-Hungarian
relationship was "practically problem-free." The only
irritant is the fact that Hungary is not a member of the
Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Somogyi noted the importance
of the visa issue in Hungary as the average citizen found
it hard to equate Hungary's strong support for the U.S.
and its EU status with a continuing visa requirement.
When Hungary first entered the EU there was a surge of
travel to Austria - a psychological reaction to years of
living behind the iron curtain. Visa-free travel, he
claimed, would make the largest positive impact among
average Hungarians. He stated the recent VWP legislation
was a positive first step, and promised to work with the
administration and Congress to see what more could be
done. The Deputy Secretary replied that, from the
President on down, the USG is committed to finding a
resolution on VWP for our allies.

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Remaining Engaged on Cuba
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4. (U) Somogyi stated that the U.S.-Hungarian relationship
was increasingly defined in terms of Hungary's support on
a range of regional and global issues. He cited Hungary's
leadership of an Afghan PRT and its offer to host the C-17
Strategic Airlift Capability consortium as good examples
of this. He also pointed to Cuba, where Somogyi said that
Hungary was committed to promoting democracy. He noted
that the GOH and U.S. Ambassador had recently exchanged
notes finalizing an agreement for Hungary to accept 28
Cuban refugees from. Guantanamo Bay, an initiative that
even the Hungarian opposition had supported. The Deputy
Secretary thanked Hungary for its support and noted our

SIPDIS
resistance to efforts in some parts of Europe to

facilitate the transfer of power from Castro to his
brother. We saw this as trading one dictator for another.

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Misunderstood Relations with Russia
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5. (C) Somogyi noted the difficulties of dealing with a
new assertive Russia, and claimed that Hungary's position
towards Russia is misunderstood. Hungary cannot neglect
Russia, he said, because of its size and level bilateral
trade. However, Hungary "supports the values of NATO and
the EU 100 percent." Somogyi wished the EU was more
active in promoting energy security, and said Hungary is
looking for energy alternatives, evidenced by the upcoming
Nabucco and Hungarian AmCham energy conferences. The
Deputy Secretary replied that it is in Hungary's interest
to diversify their energy supply, and support
diversification of Central Asia's energy markets.

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Same Wavelength on Kosovo
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6. (C) The Deputy Secretary observed that the USG and
Hungary appear to be "on the same wavelength" regarding
Kosovo. Even if the current negotiations do not reach any
agreement, the U.S. supported Kosovo's independence.
Somogyi explained that some EU members are reluctant to
see an independent Kosovo, and are stalling. He thought
it would be a mistake to let the process stall if there is
no consensus, and noted Hungary's efforts to make clear
that an independent Kosovo would not become a precedent
for the Hungarian minority in Vojvodina or for other
minority regions to declare independence.

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Upcoming Visits
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7. (SBU) Somogyi mentioned that FM Goncz is planning to
visit the U.S. in early October to open a new Consulate
General in Chicago, and that he is planning to lead a
business road show to Texas in coming months.
RICE