Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BUDAPEST480
2008-05-09 15:25:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Budapest
Cable title:
HUNGARY AND CLUSTER MUNITIONS -- FOCUS ON
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHUP #0480 1301525 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 091525Z MAY 08 FM AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2913 INFO RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO 0433 RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 0518 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0106
C O N F I D E N T I A L BUDAPEST 000480
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/NCE MARC NORDBERG AND PM/WRA KATHERINE
BAKER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/06/2018
TAGS: MOPS PARM PREL NATO HU
SUBJECT: HUNGARY AND CLUSTER MUNITIONS -- FOCUS ON
UNACCEPTABLE HARM
REF: A. SECSTATE 48124
B. BUDAPEST 0165
Classified By: DCM Jeffrey Levine, reasons 1.4 (b and d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L BUDAPEST 000480
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/NCE MARC NORDBERG AND PM/WRA KATHERINE
BAKER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/06/2018
TAGS: MOPS PARM PREL NATO HU
SUBJECT: HUNGARY AND CLUSTER MUNITIONS -- FOCUS ON
UNACCEPTABLE HARM
REF: A. SECSTATE 48124
B. BUDAPEST 0165
Classified By: DCM Jeffrey Levine, reasons 1.4 (b and d)
1. (C) MFA Deputy Security and Non-Proliferation Department
Head, Gabor Horvath, discussed ref A with PolOff on May 7.
Acknowledging the potential impact on interoperability and
joint military actions, Horvath reiterated the Hungarian
position outlined previously (ref B) - "Hungary can only
support or talk about a ban on cluster munitions that cause
'unacceptable harm" to civilians." Horvath stated that
debate on the elements of the proposed Convention must make a
clear distinction between those cluster munitions that cause
"unacceptable harm' and "intelligent ones." He defined
"unacceptable harm" as munitions that would be actively armed
indefinitely, posing a continuing, long-term threat to
civilians. Horvath stated this "very narrow" definition
would allow the use of more sophisticated cluster munitions,
though Hungary still maintains a moratorium on cluster
munitions use by their forces.
2. (C) Continuing with the "unacceptable harm" theme, Horvath
commented that the MFA and Hungarian MoD are developing a
transition road map to establish a moratorium on inaccurate
and indiscriminate cluster munitions, with a long-term goal
of a total ban on such weapons. Their matrix would evaluate
a weapon's production date, life-span and accuracy and then
plot a moratorium or total ban date. He stated that the
Hungarian delegation is "thinking about" presenting this
concept at the Dublin meeting on May 19 if the
inter-ministerial coordination is complete.
3. (U) The U.S. Air Attache delivered the demarche to the
Hungarian Ministry of Defense's Defense Policy Department
Head, Zsolt Nagy, on May 9. Nagy confirmed the Hungarian
position and planning outlined by MFA's Horvath.
Foley
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/NCE MARC NORDBERG AND PM/WRA KATHERINE
BAKER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/06/2018
TAGS: MOPS PARM PREL NATO HU
SUBJECT: HUNGARY AND CLUSTER MUNITIONS -- FOCUS ON
UNACCEPTABLE HARM
REF: A. SECSTATE 48124
B. BUDAPEST 0165
Classified By: DCM Jeffrey Levine, reasons 1.4 (b and d)
1. (C) MFA Deputy Security and Non-Proliferation Department
Head, Gabor Horvath, discussed ref A with PolOff on May 7.
Acknowledging the potential impact on interoperability and
joint military actions, Horvath reiterated the Hungarian
position outlined previously (ref B) - "Hungary can only
support or talk about a ban on cluster munitions that cause
'unacceptable harm" to civilians." Horvath stated that
debate on the elements of the proposed Convention must make a
clear distinction between those cluster munitions that cause
"unacceptable harm' and "intelligent ones." He defined
"unacceptable harm" as munitions that would be actively armed
indefinitely, posing a continuing, long-term threat to
civilians. Horvath stated this "very narrow" definition
would allow the use of more sophisticated cluster munitions,
though Hungary still maintains a moratorium on cluster
munitions use by their forces.
2. (C) Continuing with the "unacceptable harm" theme, Horvath
commented that the MFA and Hungarian MoD are developing a
transition road map to establish a moratorium on inaccurate
and indiscriminate cluster munitions, with a long-term goal
of a total ban on such weapons. Their matrix would evaluate
a weapon's production date, life-span and accuracy and then
plot a moratorium or total ban date. He stated that the
Hungarian delegation is "thinking about" presenting this
concept at the Dublin meeting on May 19 if the
inter-ministerial coordination is complete.
3. (U) The U.S. Air Attache delivered the demarche to the
Hungarian Ministry of Defense's Defense Policy Department
Head, Zsolt Nagy, on May 9. Nagy confirmed the Hungarian
position and planning outlined by MFA's Horvath.
Foley