CONFIRMED BUT CAVEATED: HUNGARY PREPARING FOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L BUDAPEST 000267 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/NCE AND EUR/NCE; PLEASE PASS TO NSC FOR ADAM STERLING AND BERT BRAUN E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/11/2013 TAGS: PREL KO HU SUBJECT: CONFIRMED BUT CAVEATED: HUNGARY PREPARING FOR MARCH 19 RECOGNITION OF KOSOVO REF: A) BLACK-GAUDIOSI E-MAILS B) NORDBERG-GAUDIOSI E-MAILS Classified By: P/E COUNSELOR ERIC V. GAUDIOSI; REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D) ¶1. (C) In a meeting with the Ambassador March 9 (other issues septel),the Prime Minister's Foreign Policy Advisor confirmed that the GoH intends to recognize Kosovo on March ¶19. Ambassador Banai commented, however, that he would have to check with Foreign Minister Goncz regarding her most recent statements - which he had not seen - that the upcoming elections in Serbia could "represent a new situation." ¶2. (C) Reiterating the Hungarian embassy's recent explanation that the GoH's timing was being driven "solely" by the desire to "move past the March 15 celebrations in the Vojvodina" (ref b),Banai noted that Budapest is working with Zagreb, Skopje, and Sofia on a coordinated recognition decision. "We would prefer to move together," he continued, "but we will move alone if necessary." He added that the Parliamentary parties and President Solyom's staff had been briefed regarding the decision, and that the Hungarian community in Vojvodina had been apprised as well. ¶3. (C) Ambassador Foley expressed our appreciation for the update, emphasizing the importance of further updates regarding any potential delays. She underscored that Hungary's attendance at the recent meeting of the International Steering Group "places us in a very difficult position," and made clear that we would have to return to this issue in case of further delays from the GoH (ref a). ¶4. (C) Banai took the point. He agreed to confirm the MFA's commitment to the March 19 decision and to keep us informed. We will keep allcon closely apprised. FOLEY