HUNGARIAN COMMENTS ON THE MAY 26-27 FOREIGN

C O N F I D E N T I A L BUDAPEST 000513 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/NCE MARC NORDBERG E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/22/2013 TAGS: PHUM PREL PGOV HU SUBJECT: HUNGARIAN COMMENTS ON THE MAY 26-27 FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING (GAERC) REF: SECSTATE 54639 Classified By: Pol/Econ Counselor, Eric Gaudiosi, reasons 1.4 (b and d) ¶1. (U) See guidance request at paragraph three. ¶2. (C) MFA EU External Relations Section Chief, Andras Dekany, discussed reftel agenda with PolOff on the upcoming GAERC meeting May 26-27, and provided the following comments: - Belarus and Iran: they will not be discussion topics. - Iraq: Hungary plans to remain silent on the issue. - Lebanon: Dekany does not believe that the meeting will address the issue of designating Hizballah. He commented that Hungary does not maintain such a designation list. - Georgia: Hungary supports the general efforts of the UN and the confidence-building efforts of the USG. ¶3. (C) Referring to the question of Sweden opening an embassy in Belarus , PolOff queried as to when Hungary plans to open an Embassy in Minsk. Dekany did not know the exact date but commented "personally (I) hope the U.S. does not demarche us on this issue." PolOff confirmed through the MFA's European Department that the Hungarians plan to open their Minsk Embassy in early June 2008. Post requests guidance related to Hungary's planned opening of their Belarus Embassy as discussed in recent telcon between Assistant Secretary Kramer and International Center for Democratic Transition Director Istvan Gyarmati. Foley