Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BUDAPEST748
2009-10-14 13:33:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Budapest
Cable title:
CORRECTED COPY:FY10 1206 FUNDS REQUEST FOR HUNGARIAN AVIATION PARTNER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
how-toVZCZCXYZ0013 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHUP #0748 2871333 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 141333Z OCT 09 FM AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4570 RHMFISS/CDR USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE//ECJ4-ID/ECJ2// PRIORITY INFO RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC//J5// RUEAHQA/OSAF WASHINGTON DC//IAE// RUEADWD/DA WASHINGTON DC//SAAL-ZN/SAAL-NI// RHMFISS/AFSAC WRIGHT PATTERSON AFB OH//CME// RHMFISS/CDRUSASAC FT BELVOIR VA//AMSAC-ME// RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE//ECRA/ECJ5// RUENAAA/NAVY IPO WASHINGTON DC//60// RUEADWD/DA WASHINGTON DC//SAUS-IA-DSB// RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC//ESO-2// RHMFISS/CG MARCORSYSCOM QUANTICO VA RHMFISS/DISAM WRIGHT PATTERSON AFB OH
C O N F I D E N T I A L BUDAPEST 000748
NOFORN
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR PM/PPA JOHANNA KNOCH AND SCOTT KWAK, EUR/CE
JAMIE MOORE, JCS JS FOR COL JOHN WEST, OSD AT LTC BRAD
MITCHELL, OSD SOLIC LTC JOHN GOSSART, SECDEF FOR USDP
DSCA/ERASA, OASD ISA-EUR AND USDATL/IC
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/12/2014
TAGS: MARR, MCAP, NATO, HU
SUBJECT: CORRECTED COPY:FY10 1206 FUNDS REQUEST FOR
HUNGARIAN AVIATION PARTNER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
REF: A. STATE 92407
B. BUDAPEST 718
C O N F I D E N T I A L BUDAPEST 000748
NOFORN
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR PM/PPA JOHANNA KNOCH AND SCOTT KWAK, EUR/CE
JAMIE MOORE, JCS JS FOR COL JOHN WEST, OSD AT LTC BRAD
MITCHELL, OSD SOLIC LTC JOHN GOSSART, SECDEF FOR USDP
DSCA/ERASA, OASD ISA-EUR AND USDATL/IC
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/12/2014
TAGS: MARR, MCAP, NATO, HU
SUBJECT: CORRECTED COPY:FY10 1206 FUNDS REQUEST FOR
HUNGARIAN AVIATION PARTNER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
REF: A. STATE 92407
B. BUDAPEST 718
1. (U) Post has submitted a request for 18 million USD in
1206 funding to refurbish and modernize three MI-17
helicopters which will then be capable of deploying in
support of operations in Afghanistan and other theaters as
required. The Country Team has reviewed the request and
concurs with the document submitted to EUCOM for approval.
Post is not aware of any credible evidence of gross
violations of human rights by the units who are proposed to
receive assistance.
2. (SBU) This request has Chief of Mission support. The U.S.
and its NATO/ISAF partners need more helicopters able to
deploy in support of U.S. and NATO strategic goals in
Afghanistan. This capability is critical to achieving those
aims. By using 1206 funds for this program, the USG will
enhance its strategic partnership with Hungary and increase
the level of deployed forces. The Country Team places top
priority on the previously submitted 1206 request for
Hungary,s Special Forces Capability, but also views this
request for aviation upgrades as important.
3. (C/NF) Hungary,s demonstrated level of political
commitment fully justifies this investment. Hungary,s
military and civilian leaders have consistently adopted
policies which place it firmly within the Trans Atlantic
community. According to recent Embassy reporting, senior
officials are certain this orientation and these deployment
policies to continue even if the government changes after
parliamentary elections in spring 2010. Hungary,s
Afghanistan policy is one area which enjoys wide political
support in an otherwise fractured political environment. In
early September, Minister of Defense Szekeres confirmed to
SECDEF Gates his intention to maintain deployments at their
current level, despite draconian budget cuts. By late
September the GOH process of extending its ISAF commitments
was well underway. Minister Szekeres has also initiated
planning for contingency deployments to Africa, where this
capability is certain to be required as well. This 1206
investment is fully justified by the expected deployments,
policy outcomes, and developments in partner capacity.
4. (U) Office of Defense Cooperation Budapest POC for this
project is Colonel Lawrence J Kinde at 3630-274-8742,
kindelj@state.sgov.gov, or LKINDE@SAN.OSD.MIL. Embassy POC
is Jon Martinson, 36-1-475-4454 or martinsonj@state.sgov.gov.
LEVINE
NOFORN
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR PM/PPA JOHANNA KNOCH AND SCOTT KWAK, EUR/CE
JAMIE MOORE, JCS JS FOR COL JOHN WEST, OSD AT LTC BRAD
MITCHELL, OSD SOLIC LTC JOHN GOSSART, SECDEF FOR USDP
DSCA/ERASA, OASD ISA-EUR AND USDATL/IC
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/12/2014
TAGS: MARR, MCAP, NATO, HU
SUBJECT: CORRECTED COPY:FY10 1206 FUNDS REQUEST FOR
HUNGARIAN AVIATION PARTNER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
REF: A. STATE 92407
B. BUDAPEST 718
1. (U) Post has submitted a request for 18 million USD in
1206 funding to refurbish and modernize three MI-17
helicopters which will then be capable of deploying in
support of operations in Afghanistan and other theaters as
required. The Country Team has reviewed the request and
concurs with the document submitted to EUCOM for approval.
Post is not aware of any credible evidence of gross
violations of human rights by the units who are proposed to
receive assistance.
2. (SBU) This request has Chief of Mission support. The U.S.
and its NATO/ISAF partners need more helicopters able to
deploy in support of U.S. and NATO strategic goals in
Afghanistan. This capability is critical to achieving those
aims. By using 1206 funds for this program, the USG will
enhance its strategic partnership with Hungary and increase
the level of deployed forces. The Country Team places top
priority on the previously submitted 1206 request for
Hungary,s Special Forces Capability, but also views this
request for aviation upgrades as important.
3. (C/NF) Hungary,s demonstrated level of political
commitment fully justifies this investment. Hungary,s
military and civilian leaders have consistently adopted
policies which place it firmly within the Trans Atlantic
community. According to recent Embassy reporting, senior
officials are certain this orientation and these deployment
policies to continue even if the government changes after
parliamentary elections in spring 2010. Hungary,s
Afghanistan policy is one area which enjoys wide political
support in an otherwise fractured political environment. In
early September, Minister of Defense Szekeres confirmed to
SECDEF Gates his intention to maintain deployments at their
current level, despite draconian budget cuts. By late
September the GOH process of extending its ISAF commitments
was well underway. Minister Szekeres has also initiated
planning for contingency deployments to Africa, where this
capability is certain to be required as well. This 1206
investment is fully justified by the expected deployments,
policy outcomes, and developments in partner capacity.
4. (U) Office of Defense Cooperation Budapest POC for this
project is Colonel Lawrence J Kinde at 3630-274-8742,
kindelj@state.sgov.gov, or LKINDE@SAN.OSD.MIL. Embassy POC
is Jon Martinson, 36-1-475-4454 or martinsonj@state.sgov.gov.
LEVINE