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
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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