POSSIBLE HUNGARIAN TRANSFER OF MILITARY EQUIPMENT

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 030332 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/06/2022 TAGS: PARM PREL ETTC MARR LY HU SUBJECT: POSSIBLE HUNGARIAN TRANSFER OF MILITARY EQUIPMENT TO LIBYA REF: BUDAPEST 333 Classified By: EUR/PRA DIR. ANITA FRIEDT FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D). SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (C) This is an action request. Please see paragraph 4, which responds to reftel's request for guidance. In keeping with the USG's relaxation of its longstanding opposition to the transfer of military equipment to Libya, we want to inform the Hungarian government that the U.S. would have no objection to the transfer of the 1970's electronic equipment as described to the Embassy by MFA Nonproliferation Director Toth. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C) BACKGROUND: In 2004 the United States relaxed its longstanding opposition to most exports of defense equipment to Libya. Specifically, following Libya,s progress towards fulfilling its December 19, 2003 commitments on WMD and MTCR category I missiles disarmament, we ceased our objections to most other countries' export of non-lethal military equipment. In the context of this progress and Libya's continued cooperation, the United States will likewise no longer object to most other countries, exports of lethal military equipment (LME) to Libya, provided such exports are by non-U.S. persons and do not include U.S.-origin parts, components, or systems controlled on the U.S. munitions list (USML) or the Commerce Control List. (Another major exception concerns military equipment exports to/imports from Iran, Syria or North Korea.) ¶3. (C) OBJECTIVES: We want to inform the Hungarian government that the U.S. would have no objection to the transfer as described (reftel) by MFA Nonproliferation Director Toth. We also want to express our appreciation for Toth's efforts to discuss this issue with us before Hungarian consideration of the sale proceeds and to encourage continued close consultation. ACTION REQUEST -------------- ¶4. (C) Post is requested to convey the points below to Toth or other appropriate Hungarian official. TALKING POINTS -------------- ¶5. (C) Embassy may draw on the points below as appropriate. BEGIN TEXT OF TALKING POINTS -- In recognition of Libya's progress towards fulfilling its December 19, 2003 commitments on WMD and MTCR category I missiles disarmament, the United States ceased its objections to most other countries' export of non-lethal military equipment to that country. -- In that context, the U.S. would not object to Hungary's decision to transfer the equipment described by MFA Nonproliferation Director Toth on March 5. -- The United States also wants to take this opportunity to express its appreciation for Hungary's willingness to discuss this possible transfer. Our mutual nonproliferation objectives are well served when we take the appropriate initiatives to consult with one another. -- We welcome and encourage continued consultation on these and other nonproliferation matters. End Text of Talking Points. ¶6. (U) Washington appreciates post's assistance in this matter. RICE