Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BUDAPEST218
2009-03-20 12:14:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Budapest
Cable title:
HUNGARY STILL TOGETHER ON THE NATO KFOR MISSION
how-toVZCZCXYZ0004 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHUP #0218 0791214 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 201214Z MAR 09 FM AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4002 INFO RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO PRIORITY 0464 RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L BUDAPEST 000218
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/CE JAMIE LAMORE AND EUR/RPM CHRIS DAVY.
PLEASE PASS TO NSC KHELGERSON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/18/2019
TAGS: PREL MARR NATO KPKO KV HU
SUBJECT: HUNGARY STILL TOGETHER ON THE NATO KFOR MISSION
REF: SECSTATE 26179
Classified By: Acting P/E Counselor Jon Martinson, reasons 1.4 (b,d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L BUDAPEST 000218
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/CE JAMIE LAMORE AND EUR/RPM CHRIS DAVY.
PLEASE PASS TO NSC KHELGERSON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/18/2019
TAGS: PREL MARR NATO KPKO KV HU
SUBJECT: HUNGARY STILL TOGETHER ON THE NATO KFOR MISSION
REF: SECSTATE 26179
Classified By: Acting P/E Counselor Jon Martinson, reasons 1.4 (b,d)
1. (C) MFA Security Policy and Non-Proliferation Department
Deputy Director Gabor Horvath discussed reftel with PolOff
March 19. Horvath stated that "we must be cautious" in
reducing forces in the Balkans, and he does not envisage a
reduction in the more than 400 Hungarian soldiers in Pec,
Kosovo, until the Kosovo Security Forces (KSF) are fully
supported and their capabilities improve. That said, Horvath
stated that the GOH is doing contingency planning as to their
response in terns of military support if the KFOR numbers in
Kosovo or the EU ALTEA force numbers in Bosnia fall below 200
personnel. Horvath also noted the planned EULEX full
operational capability by the end of March, stating that this
will be a "crucial benchmark" if transition from UNMIK to
EULEX moves forward without difficulty. As to Serbia's claim
that the KSF is an illegal entity, Horvath responded that "we
cannot alienate Serbia" but we must make it clear to them
that cooperation with EULEX and KSF is essential, and the MFA
would use every opportunity during official meetings with
Serbian interlocutors to emphasize that message.
2. (C) Turning to EU's ALTEA force in Bosnia, Horvath said
that the French are moving towards a complete withdrawal of
their forces in the entire region, and he raised concern that
the political situation is still fragile and "this is not the
moment" to reduce the military presence in that region.
Horvath stressed, however, that NATO should not be the sole
actor responding to any contingency in a crisis situation.
3. (C) The DAO delivered the demarche to the Hungarian
Defense Ministry on March 19. In a response on March 20, MOD
Policy State Secretary Jozsef Bali stated that the MFA's
response reflected the official GOH position on the issue.
Foley
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/CE JAMIE LAMORE AND EUR/RPM CHRIS DAVY.
PLEASE PASS TO NSC KHELGERSON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/18/2019
TAGS: PREL MARR NATO KPKO KV HU
SUBJECT: HUNGARY STILL TOGETHER ON THE NATO KFOR MISSION
REF: SECSTATE 26179
Classified By: Acting P/E Counselor Jon Martinson, reasons 1.4 (b,d)
1. (C) MFA Security Policy and Non-Proliferation Department
Deputy Director Gabor Horvath discussed reftel with PolOff
March 19. Horvath stated that "we must be cautious" in
reducing forces in the Balkans, and he does not envisage a
reduction in the more than 400 Hungarian soldiers in Pec,
Kosovo, until the Kosovo Security Forces (KSF) are fully
supported and their capabilities improve. That said, Horvath
stated that the GOH is doing contingency planning as to their
response in terns of military support if the KFOR numbers in
Kosovo or the EU ALTEA force numbers in Bosnia fall below 200
personnel. Horvath also noted the planned EULEX full
operational capability by the end of March, stating that this
will be a "crucial benchmark" if transition from UNMIK to
EULEX moves forward without difficulty. As to Serbia's claim
that the KSF is an illegal entity, Horvath responded that "we
cannot alienate Serbia" but we must make it clear to them
that cooperation with EULEX and KSF is essential, and the MFA
would use every opportunity during official meetings with
Serbian interlocutors to emphasize that message.
2. (C) Turning to EU's ALTEA force in Bosnia, Horvath said
that the French are moving towards a complete withdrawal of
their forces in the entire region, and he raised concern that
the political situation is still fragile and "this is not the
moment" to reduce the military presence in that region.
Horvath stressed, however, that NATO should not be the sole
actor responding to any contingency in a crisis situation.
3. (C) The DAO delivered the demarche to the Hungarian
Defense Ministry on March 19. In a response on March 20, MOD
Policy State Secretary Jozsef Bali stated that the MFA's
response reflected the official GOH position on the issue.
Foley