HUNGARY'S VIEW ON UNESCO DIRECTOR-GENERAL ELECTION

C O N F I D E N T I A L BUDAPEST 001208 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR IO/UNESCO KELLY SIEKMAN AND EUR/CE JAMIE LAMORE E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/15/2018 TAGS: PREL UNESCO HU SUBJECT: HUNGARY'S VIEW ON UNESCO DIRECTOR-GENERAL ELECTION REF: SECSTATE 130916 Classified By: P/E Counselor Eric Gaudiosi, reasons 1.4 (b and d) (C) PolOff met with the MFA's International Organizations Counselor for UNESCO affairs Katalin Buzas December 16 to discuss reftel. Buzas stated that Hungary shares many of our concerns with the Egyptian nominee Farouk Hosni for UNESCO Director-General. Given the Arab community's support for Hosni, Buzas stressed the sensitivity of Hungary's position, asking that it not be made pblic. Mentioning the Bulgarian and Lithuanian candidates, she demurred as to whom Hungary would support, noting the significant time remaining until the registration deadline of May 31, 2009. Foley