Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BUDAPEST888
2008-09-08 09:56:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Budapest
Cable title:
HUNGARIAN COMMENTS ON UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY THIRD
how-toVZCZCXRO7450 RR RUEHAG RUEHROV DE RUEHUP #0888 2520956 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 080956Z SEP 08 FM AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3367 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 0528 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0114
C O N F I D E N T I A L BUDAPEST 000888
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR IO/RHS REBECCA JOVIN, DRL/MLGA LYNN SICADE,
EUR/CE JAMIE LAMORE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/03/2018
TAGS: PHUM PREL UN HU
SUBJECT: HUNGARIAN COMMENTS ON UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY THIRD
COMMITTEE PRIORITIES
REF: SECSTATE 93981
Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR ERIC GAUDIOSI, REASONS 1.4(b)
AND (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L BUDAPEST 000888
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR IO/RHS REBECCA JOVIN, DRL/MLGA LYNN SICADE,
EUR/CE JAMIE LAMORE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/03/2018
TAGS: PHUM PREL UN HU
SUBJECT: HUNGARIAN COMMENTS ON UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY THIRD
COMMITTEE PRIORITIES
REF: SECSTATE 93981
Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR ERIC GAUDIOSI, REASONS 1.4(b)
AND (d)
1. (C) MFA UN International Organization Department Desk
Officer Krisztina Kovacs discussed Reftel with PolOff on
September 4. Kovacs expressed Hungary's general support for
the U.S. agenda and said that Hungary expects to be more
actively engaged during the 2008 session. This increased
involvement comes in response to what Kovacs described as
"concern," in particular, over the direction of the Human
Rights Council. Kovacs said Hungary shares the U.S. concern
that some regional bloc groups are preventing the passage of
important agenda items. That said, Kovacs recognized that
Hungary is often constrained by the consensus approach within
the European Union.
2. (C) Country-specific resolutions: Kovacs said that Hungary
plans to coordinate with the EU to present a united
front on country-specific resolutions. She said that Hungary
is not in a position to give its opinion without
first consulting other EU states. EU discussions on these
issues are slated for later this month. She expects Hungary
will support the Iran resolution. Kovacs was more cautious
in commenting on potential resolutions re Zimbabwe and Sudan,
saying Hungary must first reach its own political consensus
on these issues.
3. (C) Thematic Resolutions: Kovacs said Hungary favors a
resolution on freedom of expression, commenting that Hungary
recognizes that there are challenges about the specific
details of the resolution that must be addressed.
She noted that the Hungarian Constitutional Court recently
struck down an attempt by the National Assembly to outlaw
hate speech. Kovacs described the hate speech discussion as
a "sensitive question" within Hungary. Kovacs said
Hungary is not currently in favor of a resolution on
defamation of religions, saying that such a resolution is
not "useful." She also stated that there is no consensus
within the EU on how to address this resolution proposal.
Foley
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR IO/RHS REBECCA JOVIN, DRL/MLGA LYNN SICADE,
EUR/CE JAMIE LAMORE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/03/2018
TAGS: PHUM PREL UN HU
SUBJECT: HUNGARIAN COMMENTS ON UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY THIRD
COMMITTEE PRIORITIES
REF: SECSTATE 93981
Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR ERIC GAUDIOSI, REASONS 1.4(b)
AND (d)
1. (C) MFA UN International Organization Department Desk
Officer Krisztina Kovacs discussed Reftel with PolOff on
September 4. Kovacs expressed Hungary's general support for
the U.S. agenda and said that Hungary expects to be more
actively engaged during the 2008 session. This increased
involvement comes in response to what Kovacs described as
"concern," in particular, over the direction of the Human
Rights Council. Kovacs said Hungary shares the U.S. concern
that some regional bloc groups are preventing the passage of
important agenda items. That said, Kovacs recognized that
Hungary is often constrained by the consensus approach within
the European Union.
2. (C) Country-specific resolutions: Kovacs said that Hungary
plans to coordinate with the EU to present a united
front on country-specific resolutions. She said that Hungary
is not in a position to give its opinion without
first consulting other EU states. EU discussions on these
issues are slated for later this month. She expects Hungary
will support the Iran resolution. Kovacs was more cautious
in commenting on potential resolutions re Zimbabwe and Sudan,
saying Hungary must first reach its own political consensus
on these issues.
3. (C) Thematic Resolutions: Kovacs said Hungary favors a
resolution on freedom of expression, commenting that Hungary
recognizes that there are challenges about the specific
details of the resolution that must be addressed.
She noted that the Hungarian Constitutional Court recently
struck down an attempt by the National Assembly to outlaw
hate speech. Kovacs described the hate speech discussion as
a "sensitive question" within Hungary. Kovacs said
Hungary is not currently in favor of a resolution on
defamation of religions, saying that such a resolution is
not "useful." She also stated that there is no consensus
within the EU on how to address this resolution proposal.
Foley