Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BUDAPEST1135
2008-11-26 14:09:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Budapest
Cable title:  

HUNGARIAN DEFENSE MINISTER'S MEETING WITH

Tags:  MARR MCAP PGOV PREL AF HU 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0001
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHUP #1135/01 3311409
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 261409Z NOV 08
FM AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3630
INFO RUEHLJ/AMEMBASSY LJUBLJANA 0045
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO 0447
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC
C O N F I D E N T I A L BUDAPEST 001135 

NOFORN
SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/RPM AND EUR/CE JAMIE LAMORE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/24/2018
TAGS: MARR MCAP PGOV PREL AF HU
SUBJECT: HUNGARIAN DEFENSE MINISTER'S MEETING WITH
AMBASSADOR

REF: BUDAPEST 1103 AND PREVIOUS

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 001135

NOFORN
SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/RPM AND EUR/CE JAMIE LAMORE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/24/2018
TAGS: MARR MCAP PGOV PREL AF HU
SUBJECT: HUNGARIAN DEFENSE MINISTER'S MEETING WITH
AMBASSADOR

REF: BUDAPEST 1103 AND PREVIOUS

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


1. (C/NF) Summary. Hungarian Minister of Defense Imre
Szekeres outlined key financial aspects of the Hungarian
National Military Strategy in meeting with Ambassador on
November 21. Highlighting the current Government's
commitment to increase the Defense budget over the next five
years, Szekeres acknowledged the challenges he faces in
avoiding a 10 billion forint (50 million dollar) budget cut
due to the current fiscal crisis in Hungary. That said, the
Minister confirmed the Hungarian commitment to continue their
PRT operations in Afghanistan, as well as deploying a joint
Hungarian-Ohio National Guard Operational Mentoring and
Liaison Team and Special Forces in early 2009. Szekeres also
informed the Ambassador of upcoming senior leadership
changes, with Lt General Tombol soon to be announced as the
new Chief of Defense, replacing General Andras Havril in
January 2009. End summary.


2. (C/NF) In a November 21 meeting with Ambassador Foley,
Hungarian Minister of Defense (MOD) Imre Szekeres focused on
two main issues: the Hungarian National Military Strategy
(NMS) and planning for Afghanistan in 2009. Szekeres noted
that this is the first-ever National Military Strategy for
Hungary. Developed by a group of civilian experts lead by
Istvan Gyarmati (Note: Gyarmati served as a State Secretary
in the MOD in the 1990s and now heads the International
Center for Democratic Transition in Budapest. End note),the
Minister said he will present it to the relevant
Parliamentary committees in December and to the Government in
January. Szekeres stressed that a key element of the NMS
relates to financing. He made reference to Prime Minister
Gyurcsany's commitment at the October informal Defense
Ministerial in Budapest to increase the Hungarian defense
budget by 0.2 percent over the next five years, beginning in

2009. This planned increase would raise the MOD's GDP share

from 1.11 percent to 1.31 percent by 2013.


3. (C/NF) Referring to the first budget vote in Parliament on
November 25, Szekeres said he is talking to the Government
about having more flexibility in spending. He noted that
some in Parliament want to cut the MOD budget by 10 Billion
forints (approximately 50 million USD,) with the opposition
asking for instance, "why doesn't the Hungarian Military
provide their own installation security instead of contract,
civilian guards?" Calling this a "stupid proposal," Szekeres
noted that they currently spend eight million forints (40,000
USD) a year for civilian guards rather than the approximately
15 million forints (75,000 USD) for active-duty military
guards. Hopeful that he won't lose the 10 billion forints,
Szekeres said he wants "more elbow room to continue to
develop projects and make technological improvements."
(Comment. With the current financial crisis and fiscal
constraints associated with the IMF, EU and World Bank
support package (reftel) questions remain as to when the
current budget negotiations in Parliament will sustain the
Prime Minister's commitment. Although, as MFA NATO
Department Chief Peter Sztaray noted to PolOff on November
17, Minister Szekeres' relationship with Prime Minister
Gyurcsany is strong enough to argue for continued support,
competing pressures associated with reductions in social
services may force the MOD to face cuts as well. End
comment.)


4. (C/NF) Turning to Afghanistan, Szekeres confirmed
Hungary's commitment to keep their PRT in Baghlan Province in
2009, which is now augmented with 30 additional soldiers for
increased security. (Comment. MFA sources state that the
Government will propose to extend the PRT beyond 2009 at a
meeting of the five-party leadership in early January. End
comment.) Szekeres stated that on January 23 the first
Hungarian Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team (OMLT) will
jointly deploy with the Ohio National Guard to Baghlan
Province to train an infantry kandak. The Minister said that
this OMLT will be fully operational within six months and
will then be ready to deploy wherever the kandak goes. While
initial plans called for the OMLT to deploy to Uruzgan
Province with the Dutch, Szekeres commented that the Dutch
Chief of Defense (CHOD) informed the Hungarian CHOD November
20 that there will not be a kandak available in Uruzgan until
August 2009. Continuing, Szekeres said that when the Afghan
kandak is ready, Hungary will deploy their second OMLT.
However, he commented that "the second OMLT is not ready,"
and he asked the Ambassador for assistance. Stating "it is

not an issue of money or training -- the money is there,"
Szekeres said that the problem is procurement and access to
the material needed for this kandak. If the material gets
here, "we will be ready in August." (Note. The Office of
Defense Cooperation in Budapest is currently coordinating
with the Defense Security Cooperation Agency to work the
equipment issue committed through Coalition Support Funds
program. End Note.)


5. (C/NF) Focusing on the Hungarian Special Forces (SF)
deployment, Minister Szekeres said they are ready and at full
capacity. Reflecting the very personal relationship between
senior leadership and the troops in a relatively small
military force of 23,000, Szekeres, noting the sensitive
nature of this SF deployment, said he will meet soon with the
SF troops and their leadership, commenting "I want to make
sure they are all prepared; I need to check and double check
thei equipment, gear and training."


6. (C/NF) The Ambassador took the opportunity to thank
Minister Szekeres for his efforts on a plan to increase
defense spending. Expressing appreciation for Hungary's OMLT
commitment, the Ambassador noted that the Ohio National Guard
is ready and this joint deployment will be a model for NATO.
Continuing, she highlighted Secretary Gates' concern about a
two-tiered NATO -- those that do and those that don't --
commenting that the SF deployment to Afghanistan without
caveats is a huge plus, a signal to NATO and the U.S. that
Hungary is willing to do heavy lifting.


7. (C/NF) In closing, the Minister informed the Ambassador
that Lt General Laszlo Tombol, currently the Joint Forces
Commander, will be announced as the new Hungarian CHOD within
the next two weeks, noting that the President and Prime
Minister have both agreed, as well as all five political
parties. Formal approval will come after Parliamentary
hearings in December. In the interest of continuity Szekeres
said that the current Deputy CHOD, General Mikita, will
remain. The current CHOD, General Havril will leave his post
by mid-January 2009 and move on to the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs as Ambassador to Slovenia. Replacing Tombol at the
Joint Forces Command will be Major General Benko, currently
the Hungarian Land Forces Commander.
Foley