HUNGARY'S WORLD CUSTOMS ORGANIZATION NOMINEE

UNCLAS BUDAPEST 000406 SIPDIS SENSITIVE PASS USTR FOR VIRGINIA BROWN; DHS FOR CBP EB/MTA FOR CHENNIGER, EUR/CE FOR JLAMORE COMMERCE FOR ITA/MAC/OIPR/ SILVIA SAVICH E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON ETRD OPDC AORC HU SUBJECT: HUNGARY'S WORLD CUSTOMS ORGANIZATION NOMINEE ¶1. (U) The Embassy received a note verbale from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the candidacy of Dr. Janos Nagy, Commissioner of the Hungarian Customs and Finance Guard for the post of Deputy Secretary General of the World Customs Organization (WCO). Dr. Nagy previously served at the WCO as Deputy Director as well as Vice-Chair of the Europe Region. The GOH is seeking U.S. support for Dr. Nagy's candidacy in the June 27, 2009, elections. Based on Post's long working relationship with Dr. Nagy, we believe that he would be a good contact at the WCO, and urge that his candidacy be given every consideration. ¶2. (U) The following is the note verbale text: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Hungary presents its compliments to the Embassy of the United States of America and has the honour to communicate the following: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Hungary would like to inform the Embassy of the United States of America that the Government of Hungary has decided to put forward the candidacy of Dr. Janos Nagy to the post of Deputy Secretary General of the World Customs Organization (WCO) at the elections to be held during the meeting of WCO Council on 27 June 2009 in Brussels, Belgium. Dr. Janos Nagy has been Commissioner of the Hungarian Customs and Finance Guard (HCFG) since 2003. Earlier he held various positions with HCFG and the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Hungary. During his carrier Dr. Janos Nagy developed wide-range professional relations within the framework of the World Customs Organization and thanks to his merits he occupied different positions with WCO. As Deputy Director of the Organization and thanks to his merits he was responsible for customs reforms, modernization and anti-corruption programmes, as well as training and technical assistance for Members of WCO. Furthermore, between 2005 and 2007, while fulfilling the position of Vice-Chair of the Europe Region of the World Customs Organization, he performed his duties as Representative of Europe Region as well. The outstanding professional background of Dr. Janos Nagy and his 28 years of experience with the World Customs Organization make him an excellent nominee for this prestigious position. His curriculum vitae and a brochure introducing him are attached herewith. In this context the Government of the Republic of Hungary would highly appreciate receiving the support of the Government of the United States of America for the abovementioned candidature. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Hungary avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the United States of America the assurances of its highest consideration. ¶3. (SBU) Dr. Nagy has been a close contact of the Embassy for over twenty-five years, beginning when he served as a liaison officer in the International Department of the Customs Guard. During the 1980s, when Hungary was still part of the Eastern Bloc, Nagy helped facilitate several DEA and USCS-sponsored anti-narcotics training sessions for Hungarian customs officers. Nagy also participated in a several week International Visitor-type program in the United States in the late 1980s. ¶4. (SBU) The U.S. also works closely with the Hungarian Customs and Finance Guard on a number of issues, including border security, trade licensing, anti-money laundering, and anti-terrorism finance. The U.S. has provided Hungary with IT and chemical and biological weapons detection equipment, and has sponsored Hungarian officials' participation in a number of conferences and training sessions. ¶5. (U) The Embassy has transmitted copies of Dr. Nagy's CV to EUR/CE and to USTR Virginia Brown. For additional information, please contact Econ Officer Steven Weston at Westons@state.gov. LEVINE 0