HUNGARY'S VIEW ON REBUTTING RUSSIA'S CLAIMS

UNCLAS BUDAPEST 000916 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/CE JAMIE LAMORE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PHUM HU RS GG SUBJECT: HUNGARY'S VIEW ON REBUTTING RUSSIA'S CLAIMS AGAINST GEORGIA REF: SECSTATE 98030 ¶1. (SBU) MFA Security and Non-proliferation Department Head Vilmos Hamikus discussed reftel with PolOff on September 17. Hamikus commented that Hungary would most likely work within the EU framework rather than making an individual statement on Russia's genocide claim. He noted that the September 15-16 GAERC meeting was entirely devoted to the EU's planned observer mission in Georgia and the reftel subject was not addressed. ¶2. (SBU) Queried as to possible Hungarian participation in the EU mission, Hamikus said that their offer of a POLAD was turned down but Hungary was still offering five observers for the 200 person contingent, noting that there are currently 300 volunteers. He stated that the EU wants at least a twenty-person team and an armored vehicle from participating countries, making it difficult for Hungary to contribute to the operation. Hamikus stated that they were in discussion with Austria and France about a cooperative effort to allow Hungarian participation. Foley