Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BUDAPEST1025
2008-10-30 08:22:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Budapest
Cable title:  

HUNGARIAN VIEWS ON BOSNIA

Tags:  PGOV EU BK HU 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO8840
RR RUEHAG RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR
DE RUEHUP #1025 3040822
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 300822Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3507
INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RUEHVJ/AMEMBASSY SARAJEVO 0285
C O N F I D E N T I A L BUDAPEST 001025 

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/SCE MIKE FOOKS AND ANNA STINCHCOMB AND
EUR/CE JAMIE LAMORE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/27/2018
TAGS: PGOV EU BK HU
SUBJECT: HUNGARIAN VIEWS ON BOSNIA

REF: SECSTATE 113894

Classified By: P/E Counselor Eric Gaudiosi, reasons 1.4 (b and d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L BUDAPEST 001025

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/SCE MIKE FOOKS AND ANNA STINCHCOMB AND
EUR/CE JAMIE LAMORE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/27/2018
TAGS: PGOV EU BK HU
SUBJECT: HUNGARIAN VIEWS ON BOSNIA

REF: SECSTATE 113894

Classified By: P/E Counselor Eric Gaudiosi, reasons 1.4 (b and d)


1. (C) Summary. Sharing U.S. concerns on the current
political situation in Bosnia Hercegovina (BiH),the
Hungarian MFA's Russia and Balkans Department Deputy Director
Istvan Ijgyarto believes the situation has moved two years
backwards. Stating that several EU countries are inclined to
move Serbia forward on the road to the EU rather than BiH,
Ijgyarto underscored the importance of a well-prepared,
cautious transition from the Office of the High
Representative to the European Union Special Representative,
and saw as essential a continued troop presence in BiH.
Viewing a decreased ability to influence the situation
following the signing of the Stabilization and Association
Agreement, Ijgyarto called for careful consideration of any
punitive measures against Republic Srbska. End summary.



2. (C) Discussing reftel with PolOff on October 28, MFA
Russia and Balkans Department Deputy Director Istvan Ijgyarto
stated that Hungary shares the U.S. concerns on the current
situation in BiH. He added that the GOH is still developing
its position on the subject for the upcoming GAERC on
November 10. He commented that, rather than moving forward,
the situation has moved backwards to where it was more than
two years ago, noting that with the signing of the
Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA),"we lost a
carrot and now have less chance to be convincing and have
influence." Ijgyarto added that several EU members are less
inclined to accelerate BiH towards membership until the EU
moves Serbia farther down the membership road. While not
expressly stating this as the GOH position, he noted that if
Serbia moves forward towards EU membership this would
actually lessen Republic Srbska PM Dodik's links to Belgrade,
further limiting his options.


3. (C) In response to the call for a tougher stance with
Dodik, Ijgyarto cautioned that "we need to examine closely
potential punitive measures so they don't play into Dodik's
hand...he is playing the RS
separatism card as a bargaining chip." Continuing, Ijgyarto
noted that while Dodik's actions are not helpful, the
Bosniaks are also creating "challenges" within the country as
they attempt to "create an identity equal to that of the
Croats and Serbs." Ijgyarto emphasized the need to help
develop more responsible "ownership" by BiH leaders, as that
stopped short of a fully developed stage, commenting that the
BiH government sends a bad message by not fulfilling the SAA.



4. (C) Noting the upcoming expiration of the Office of the
High Representative (OHR),Ijgyarto stated that the OHR needs
to close first, with EUFOR remaining for at least a year
longer. He mentioned that several EU states desire to close
out their support to the military mission, especially in
light of the current global financial crisis - asking "with
no military engagements, what is the need?" Ijgyarto
stressed that Hungary views a continued military presence as
essential - "this is not the time to reduce force numbers
since troops on the ground are a stabilizing factor."


5. (C) On the transition from OHR to European Union Special
Representative (EUSR),Ijgyarto said "this should be a
cautious transition and well prepared, keeping the OHR as
long as possible." He expressed his view that the EUSR will
not have the same influence as the OHR and therefore the
International Community must be prepared to act decisively to
support the EUSR. Thus, he continued, "it is also important
to engage Russia - who are not very helpful - in particular
at the Security Council."


6. (C) In closing, Ijgyarto underscored the importance of the
Western Balkans for Hungary, highlighting the recent
bi-lateral "Declaration on the Promotion of Bosnia and
Hercegovina's Integration to the European Union" signed by
the two Prime Ministers in June 2008, as well as the BiH
Government bestowing "honorary neighbor" status for Hungary.
Foley