HUNGARY CAUTIOUS ON AMENDING ISAF OPLAN CN ANNEX

C O N F I D E N T I A L BUDAPEST 000903 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/A, EUR/RPM CHRIS DORLE AND EUR/CE JAMIE LAMORE E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/10/2018 TAGS: NATO PREL MOPS MARR HU AF SUBJECT: HUNGARY CAUTIOUS ON AMENDING ISAF OPLAN CN ANNEX REF: SECSTATE 96741 Classified By: Pol/Econ Counselor, Eric Gaudios, reasons 1.4(b and d) ¶1. (C) Discussing reftel with PolOff on September 11, MFA's Security and Non-proliferation Department Afghan desk officer Margit Szucs stated that Hungary believes there is sufficient flexibility in the current OPLAN to allow for more efficient and effective operations without amendment. Underscoring Hungary's national caveat restricting drug eradication efforts for the PRT in Baghlan Province, she stated that Hungary would prefer to stay in the framework of the current OPLAN - any modification should be adequately planned on a thorough assessment. That said, Szucs noted the importance of the issue, commenting that "we are sure that we can find a way to make the necessary amendment in a way that will allow the nations with relevant caveats to act in accordance within the framework." ¶2. (C) Szucs stated Hungary supports SACEUR's efforts to make ISAF's counter-narcotics effort more efficient and allow nations to take a more active role "to opt-in rather than opt-out." However, she expressed doubts that the NAC would be successful in moving to a decision on the counter-narcotics annex amendment proposal without agreement in the military committee. She also noted that the UK has not approached the MFA concerning the proposed amendment. Foley