HUNGARY COMMENTS ON SHAPING POST-CYCLONE

UNCLAS BUDAPEST 000648 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/MLS AARON COPE AND EUR/NCE MARC NORDBERG E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV EAID HU BU EUN SUBJECT: HUNGARY COMMENTS ON SHAPING POST-CYCLONE ASSISTANCE IN BURMA REF: SECSTATE 68527 ¶1. The MFA Asia and Pacific Ocean Department Head, Gyula Petho, discussed reftel with PolOff on June 27. Petho noted that the eight-member joint Hungarian Reformed Church Charity Organization-Debrecen University Doctors Rescue Group arrived back in Budapest on June 26 after ten days providing post-cyclone assistance in Burma. Petho stated that the Doctors' group saw more than 800 patients and left medicine and some financial resources with local Burmese officials upon departure. He commented that both groups provided very positive comments concerning their reception by, and cooperation of, the local Burmese officials. Petho said he does not anticipate further Hungarian in-country assistance for the cyclone victims. ¶2. Petho also stated he believes there will be an Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM) the week of June 28 in Beijing and that the Burmese situation will be an ASEM agenda item. He anticipates that France will take the lead for the EU, as they assume the EU Presidency July 1. Foley