HUNGARY'S QUIET DIPLOMACY ON SOUTH OSSETIA AND

C O N F I D E N T I A L BUDAPEST 000844

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/CE JAMIE LAMORE; PASS TO NSC ADAM
STERLING

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/24/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV RS GG
SUBJECT: HUNGARY'S QUIET DIPLOMACY ON SOUTH OSSETIA AND
ABKHAZIA INDEPENDENCE

REF: A. SECSTATE 90978

B. SECSTATE 90980

C. BUDAPEST 0837

Classified By: DCM Jeffrey Levine; reasons 1.4 (b and d)


1. (C) Summary. The Hungarian Government will continue to
work through their NATO and EU fora rather than directly
confront the "difficult partner" Russia on the Georgia
conflict. Prime Minister Gyurcsany will attend the EU's
September 1 special meeting on Georgia, looking to draw a
red-line based on President Sarkozy's negotiations to "manage
the Russia-NATO/EU relationship with unity and determination,
even though Russia would like to see a "new Cold War-like
international environment." In a sign of solidarity with the
Georgian people, the Prime Minister's Foreign Policy Advisor
told the Ambassador on August 26 that they will accelerate
the inauguration of their new Embassy in Georgia by several
months, with the Foreign Minister leading the delegation. In
addition, the MFA has released an official statement (para 7)
expressing dismay in response to the Russian Duma's vote on
South Ossetia and Abkhazia. End summary.


2. (C) Discussing ref A with PolOff on August 25, MFA Russian
and Balkans Deputy Department Head Istvan Ijgyarto began by
confirming that both houses of the Russian Duma called for
recognition of South Ossetia's and Abkhazia's independence in
votes on August 25. Queried as to whether Hungary would
consider approaching Russia directly on the independence
issue, Ijgyarto reiterated the oft-stated Hungarian position
of the importance of working within the EU and NATO to be
sure there is a consistent, single message, rather than
various capitals making separate statements that are not on
message. Ijgyarto stated that the Hungarians fully support
President Sarkozy's negotiating efforts with Russia and
Georgia as outlined in ref B.


3. (C) Acknowledging the perception that Hungary appears to
some to be "hesitant" in its response to the Georgia crisis,
Ijgyarto commented that "now is the time to remain sober on
relations with Russia...we don't want to hit them in the
head," emphasizing that "Russia is a difficult partner - we
know from past experience." Stating his belief that "Russia
would like to see a new Cold War-like environment where
everything was predictable," Igyarto emphasized the
importance of managing the Russia-NATO/EU relationship with
unity and determination. Asked if the Russian Embassy in
Budapest had been in contact with the MFA concerning the
Georgia issue, Ijgyarto replied that they have only
approached the MFA in an attempt to counter the Georgian's
public "misinformation campaign."


4. (C) Ijgyarto confirmed that Prime Minister Gyurcsany will
attend the special EU meeting called by President Sarkozy on
September 1. Ijgyarto outlined three Hungarian goals for the
conference: maintain NATO/EU unity on the issue; send a
"determined" message to Russia; and draw the following "red
line" - withdraw the troops, re-establish the pre-August 7
positions; and respect the internationally recognized
territorial boundaries and sovereignty. He stated his own
view that Russia would not make a quick decision on the
independence question for the two break-away Georgian
regions, stating it is in Russia's interest to maintain
leverage on the current Georgian government leadership.
Ijgyarto commented that while Georgia wanted to flex its
muscles and send a message to Moscow on behalf of all the
countries in the Caucuses, Saaskavili failed to fully
understand the consequences of his actions. Touching on the
Nabucco pipeline question, Ijgyarto said he believes Russia
was "surgical" during its military operations in Georgia,
limiting damage to the current gas line infrastructure in
order to avoid opening up a "new front," specifically
mentioning the Azeris.


5. (C) Senior State Secretary Marta Feksi told the DCM on
August 26 that the MFA will accelerate the opening of its
Embassy in Tbilisi as a sign of solidarity with the Georgian
people. Instead of opening in early 2009 as planned, the
Embassy will now be inaugurated in October and include a high
level visit. "It's important for us to be there," Feksi
said, "as tangible evidence of our commitment to Georgia."
Feksi also said their previously selected Ambassador will
likely be replaced with a diplomat more experienced in crisis
management.


6. (C) In a meeting with Ambassador Foley on August 26, the
Prime Minister's Foreign Policy Advisor, Karoly Banai,

confirmed that Foreign Minister Goncz will open the Hungarian
Embassy in Tblisi. Banai stated that, in the short term,
while looking for a permanent location, the MFA is currently
in discussion with the Bulgarians on use of their facility in
Tblisi, with the view toward potential joint diplomatic
engagement in the near term. He also noted that the Foreign
Minister Goncz has invited the Georgian Deputy Foreign
Minister, enroute to a conference at Lake Bled, Slovenia, to
meet with her on Saturday, August 29 to discuss the Hungarian
position on the current situation in Georgia. Banai
anticipates a joint press statement following the meeting.


7. (U) The following is the official MFA statement on the
Russian call for recognition of South Ossetia's and
Abkhazia's independence:

BEGINNING OF STATEMENT

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Hungary
was dismayed to receive news that the State Duma of Russia
has proposed today, in a request addressed to the national
assemblies of member states of the United Nations and other
international parliamentary bodies, that South Ossetia and
Abkhazia be recognized as "individual, independent and
sovereign" states.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs believes such a move would
not serve to reinforce stability in the Caucasus, and would
not further the peaceful resolution of the present conflict
that has already taken an exceptionally heavy toll both in
terms of human life and financially. This unilateral move
for recognition by the Parliament of Russia - which during
the conflict has called itself an independent, outside
peacekeeping party - cannot serve as a legal basis for the
resolution of the conflict. Neither its content nor its
spirit is in keeping with the agreement that has been put
forth by the President of the European Union and the
President of the Russian Federation and which enjoys broad
support from the international community.

As a member state of the European Union and the North
Atlantic Treaty Organization, the Republic of Hungary is
firmly committed to the peaceful resolution, through
negotiations, of this conflict, and believes this is
possible; Georgia's territorial integrity and the respect of
its internationally recognized borders must serve as a basis
for this.

END OF STATEMENT


8. (C) Comment. While not surprising, the Hungarian
diplomatic approach to the Georgian conflict remains muted.
Prime Minister Gyurcsany continues his public silence on the
issue; opposition politicians Viktor Orban and MP Matyas
Eorsi have been much more vocal publicly (ref C),leaving
President Solyom as the lone Hungarian Government official to
make passing comments during a recent 40th anniversary
remembrance of the invasion of Czechoslovakia. The August 26
MFA statement responding to Russia's call for South Ossetia's
and Abkhazia's independence is, however, a welcome addition
to their activities on the issue. Additionally, Banai's
meeting with the Ambassador also provided an encouraging sign
that the Hungarians are actively seeking further steps to
underscore their commitment in support of NATO/EU and U.S.
measures in response to the Georgia conflict.
Foley