HUNGARY: COUNTRY REVIEW ON RELATIONS WITH CUBA

C O N F I D E N T I A L BUDAPEST 000372

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CCA GABRIELA ZAMBRANO, AND EUR/CE JAMIE
LAMORE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/19/2019
TAGS: ETRD ETTC PREL CU HU
SUBJECT: HUNGARY: COUNTRY REVIEW ON RELATIONS WITH CUBA

REF: SECSTATE 48487

Classified By: Acting Pol/Econ Counselor:Steve Weston,
reasons 1.4 (b and d)


1. (C) PolOff met with MFA America's Department Deputy
Director Norbert Konkoly on May 15 to discuss ref A. Post
views Hungary as a strong supporter of democracy and human
rights in Cuba. Although the GoH has joined the EU consensus
on lifting the embargo, they view the U.S. approach as
appropriate and consistent with their goal of offering
expertise and experience to nations seeking to make the
transition to a democratic government. Their diplomatic
mission in Havana actively engages the dissident community
and frequently meets with prominent opposition leaders.
Parliamentary parties widely support the Cuba policy and work
actively to further their "principled approach" within the
EU. At the USG's request, the GoH received 28 Cuban refugees
from Guantanamo in 2007.


2. (C) Konkoly provided the following information in response
to ref A questions:

Public statements or resolutions: Officials from all of the
Parliamentary parties have made public statements in support
of human rights and democracy in Cuba. During an event
organized by the International Center for Democratic
Transition (ICDT) to mark the 2008 "Day of Solidarity with
the Cuban People," several officials organized a press
conference to publicly call on Cuba to release all political
prisoners and establish democratic institutions in the
country.

Diplomatic mission's actions in support of civil society:
Despite a staff of only two officers, the Hungarian Embassy
in Havana actively and effectively engages the dissident
community and conducts a robust public outreach campaign to
promote a peaceful democratic transition. They have an
ongoing program to distribute laptops, pen drives, books, and
other publications to penetrate the information blockade on
the island. They recently hosted a film week featuring
movies that depict Hungary's democratic values. In 2007,
Cuba withdrew its Ambassador to Hungary in order to make
clear its displeasure with the GoH's democratization efforts
on the island.

High-level diplomatic visits in past six months: There have
been no high-level visits, nor has there been any high-level
bilateral dialogue, during the past six months.

Nature of investments: Konkoly described Hungary's investment
relations with Cuba as "basically non-existent." He reported
that Hungarian exports to Cuba total approximately USD 3
million per year while Cuban imports equal roughly USD
157,000. There is a joint economic committee but it has not
met in recent memory.

Bilateral trade agreements: Konkoly reported that Hungary and
Cuba have two bilateral trade agreements, but noted that
neither has been effectively enforced. The Economic and
Trade Cooperation Agreement of 1997 established the protocol
for creating an Economic Joint Committee. Despite the
agreement, the Joint Committee was never established. The
Economic Cooperation Agreement of 2006 established guidelines
for the Cuban government to repay a 262 million ruble debt to
the GoH which the Cuban government remains reluctant to pay
back. There are no other trade agreements in place between
the GoH and Cuba.

Exchange programs: There are no exchange programs in place
between the GoH and Cuba. However, Hungary's ICDT has plans
to conduct "democratization training" aimed at strengthening
the civil society in rural Cuba. If funded, this program
would employ a "training of trainers" approach to broaden the
impact of their efforts. Hungary does not participate in any
of the exchange programs mentioned in reftel, including any
medical exchange programs. Konkoly described cultural ties
between the GoH and Cuba as "inactive."

Levine