Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BUDAPEST750
2008-07-28 12:21:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Budapest
Cable title:
DEMARCHE DELIVERED: REALISM IN DEALING WITH THE
how-toVZCZCXRO7609 RR RUEHAG RUEHROV DE RUEHUP #0750 2101221 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 281221Z JUL 08 FM AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3228 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE RUEHDM/AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS 0028 RUEHDO/AMEMBASSY DOHA 0019 RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0109 RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
C O N F I D E N T I A L BUDAPEST 000750
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ELA ERICA MILLER AND EUR/CE JAMIE LAMORE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/24/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL SY HU
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: REALISM IN DEALING WITH THE
SARG
REF: SECSTATE 78880
Classified By: PolOff Ryan Leong for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L BUDAPEST 000750
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ELA ERICA MILLER AND EUR/CE JAMIE LAMORE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/24/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL SY HU
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: REALISM IN DEALING WITH THE
SARG
REF: SECSTATE 78880
Classified By: PolOff Ryan Leong for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Ref demarche was delivered on July 25, 2008, to
Ambassador Laszlo Szabo of the Hungarian MFA Department for
Africa and the Middle East. Szabo noted that Hungary was
"not a pioneer" in reaching out to regimes like the Syrian
Arab Republic Government (SARG) and that Hungary's foreign
policy position is typically quite close to the United States
and the EU. Szabo said that, like many EU members, Hungary
would wait for cues from Paris on how to engage Syria
following French President Nicolas Sarkozy's upcoming visit
to Damascus. He noted that Syria's recent recognition of the
sovereignty of Lebanon was a positive step. Furthermore,
there were no bilateral political contacts, discussions,
visits or dialogue between Hungary and Syria, and Szabo sees
no reason for that to change anytime soon.
2. (C) Syria's diplomatic mission in Budapest was only at
the Charge d'Affaires level, and Hungary's diplomatic mission
in Damascus focused primarily on cultural exchanges. In the
last year, the Syrian Charge has only visited the MFA twice;
one visit merely to present his credentials. Szabo spoke
authoritatively on Middle East matters, having previously
served in Damascus for four years in the mid-1990s, fifteen
years total overseas in Arab countries and he is the outbound
Hungarian Ambassador to Qatar, due to arrive in late August
2008.
Foley
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ELA ERICA MILLER AND EUR/CE JAMIE LAMORE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/24/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL SY HU
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: REALISM IN DEALING WITH THE
SARG
REF: SECSTATE 78880
Classified By: PolOff Ryan Leong for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Ref demarche was delivered on July 25, 2008, to
Ambassador Laszlo Szabo of the Hungarian MFA Department for
Africa and the Middle East. Szabo noted that Hungary was
"not a pioneer" in reaching out to regimes like the Syrian
Arab Republic Government (SARG) and that Hungary's foreign
policy position is typically quite close to the United States
and the EU. Szabo said that, like many EU members, Hungary
would wait for cues from Paris on how to engage Syria
following French President Nicolas Sarkozy's upcoming visit
to Damascus. He noted that Syria's recent recognition of the
sovereignty of Lebanon was a positive step. Furthermore,
there were no bilateral political contacts, discussions,
visits or dialogue between Hungary and Syria, and Szabo sees
no reason for that to change anytime soon.
2. (C) Syria's diplomatic mission in Budapest was only at
the Charge d'Affaires level, and Hungary's diplomatic mission
in Damascus focused primarily on cultural exchanges. In the
last year, the Syrian Charge has only visited the MFA twice;
one visit merely to present his credentials. Szabo spoke
authoritatively on Middle East matters, having previously
served in Damascus for four years in the mid-1990s, fifteen
years total overseas in Arab countries and he is the outbound
Hungarian Ambassador to Qatar, due to arrive in late August
2008.
Foley