Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BUDAPEST749
2009-10-14 13:44:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Budapest
Cable title:
UPDATE TO FY10 1206 FUNDS REQUEST FOR HUNGARIAN
how-toVZCZCXYZ0003 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHUP #0749/01 2871344 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 141344Z OCT 09 FM AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4571 RHMFISS/CDR USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE//ECJ4-ID/ECJ2// PRIORITY INFO RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC//J5// PRIORITY RUEAHQA/OSAF WASHINGTON DC//IAE// PRIORITY RUEADWD/DA WASHINGTON DC//SAAL-ZN/SAAL-NI// PRIORITY RHMFISS/AFSAC WRIGHT PATTERSON AFB OH//CME// PRIORITY RHMFISS/CDRUSASAC FT BELVOIR VA//AMSAC-ME// PRIORITY RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE//ECRA/ECJ5// PRIORITY RUENAAA/NAVY IPO WASHINGTON DC//60// PRIORITY RUEADWD/DA WASHINGTON DC//SAUS-IA-DSB// PRIORITY RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC//ESO-2// PRIORITY RHMFISS/CG MARCORSYSCOM QUANTICO VA PRIORITY RHMFISS/DISAM WRIGHT PATTERSON AFB OH PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L BUDAPEST 000749
NOFORN
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR PM/PPA JOHANNA KNOCH AND SCOTT KWAK, EUR/CE
JAMIE MOORE, JCS J5 FOR COL DEBRA GRAY, OSD AT MR. KENLON,
SECDEF FOR USDP DSCA/ERASA, OASD ISA-EUR AND USDATL/IC
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/12/2014
TAGS: MARR MCAP NATO HU
SUBJECT: UPDATE TO FY10 1206 FUNDS REQUEST FOR HUNGARIAN
SPECIAL FORCES CAPABILITY DEVELOPMENT
REF: A. STATE 92407
B. BUDAPEST 723
Classified By: Political officer Jon Martinson, reasons 1.4 (b,d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L BUDAPEST 000749
NOFORN
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR PM/PPA JOHANNA KNOCH AND SCOTT KWAK, EUR/CE
JAMIE MOORE, JCS J5 FOR COL DEBRA GRAY, OSD AT MR. KENLON,
SECDEF FOR USDP DSCA/ERASA, OASD ISA-EUR AND USDATL/IC
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/12/2014
TAGS: MARR MCAP NATO HU
SUBJECT: UPDATE TO FY10 1206 FUNDS REQUEST FOR HUNGARIAN
SPECIAL FORCES CAPABILITY DEVELOPMENT
REF: A. STATE 92407
B. BUDAPEST 723
Classified By: Political officer Jon Martinson, reasons 1.4 (b,d)
1. (U) Post has submitted a request for 10.2 million USD in
1206 funding to materially increase the Hungarian Special
Operations Forces (SOF) capabilities for combined operations
in campaigns in key theaters worldwide, with priority on
deployments to Afghanistan. The Country Team has reviewed
the request and strongly supports 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. The request will fund a
Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC) and equip the
second Company of Hungary's Special Forces battalion.
Hungary has invited partner nations to attend the SFQC in CY
2010.
2. (SBU) This request has strong Chief of Mission support.
The U.S. and its NATO/ISAF partners need more SOF units that
will deploy in support of U.S. and NATO strategic goals in
Afghanistan. These units are critical to achieving those
aims. By using 1206 funds for this program, the USG will
enhance its strategic partnership with Hungary, increase the
level of deployed SF troops, and build an important regional
training capacity that will further increase SF capabilities
in the future.
3. (C/NF) Hungary has deployed its Special Forces units,
without national caveat, to participate in combined
operations in Afghanistan. As Hungary's first deployment of
troops in a combat role since WWII, this commitment is
highly significant. Support for this 1206 request will
signal USG support for the GOH in this vital and essential
area.
4. (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. The GOH has
already extended its PRT mandate through October 2010 and its
OMLT mandate through August 2010. Additionally, senior
Government officials state that in December, after the
national budget process is completed, the deployed Special
Forces contingent's mandate, currently scheduled to end in
February 2010, will be extended through the end of 2010.
This 1206 investment is fully justified by the expected
deployments, policy outcomes, and developments in partner
capacity.
5. (C/NF) Hungary,s SF units are conducting the full range
of missions from military assistance (or foreign internal
defense),to special reconnaissance, to direct action. This
versatility means that this request is justified under either
the stability operations or the counter-terrorist side of the
1206 funding authority. While the request was sent in under
stability operations, the Country Team strongly believes that
decision-makers are fully justified in using
counter-terrorist rationale as well. The capability will in
fact be used in both roles. This position has been
coordinated with USEUCOM.
6. (U) Office of Defense Cooperation Budapest POC for this
project is Colonel Lawrence J Kinde at 3630-274-8742 or
LKINDE@SAN.OSD.MIL. Embassy POC is Jon Martinson,
36-1-475-4454 or martinsonjl2@state.gov.
LEVINE
NOFORN
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR PM/PPA JOHANNA KNOCH AND SCOTT KWAK, EUR/CE
JAMIE MOORE, JCS J5 FOR COL DEBRA GRAY, OSD AT MR. KENLON,
SECDEF FOR USDP DSCA/ERASA, OASD ISA-EUR AND USDATL/IC
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/12/2014
TAGS: MARR MCAP NATO HU
SUBJECT: UPDATE TO FY10 1206 FUNDS REQUEST FOR HUNGARIAN
SPECIAL FORCES CAPABILITY DEVELOPMENT
REF: A. STATE 92407
B. BUDAPEST 723
Classified By: Political officer Jon Martinson, reasons 1.4 (b,d)
1. (U) Post has submitted a request for 10.2 million USD in
1206 funding to materially increase the Hungarian Special
Operations Forces (SOF) capabilities for combined operations
in campaigns in key theaters worldwide, with priority on
deployments to Afghanistan. The Country Team has reviewed
the request and strongly supports 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. The request will fund a
Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC) and equip the
second Company of Hungary's Special Forces battalion.
Hungary has invited partner nations to attend the SFQC in CY
2010.
2. (SBU) This request has strong Chief of Mission support.
The U.S. and its NATO/ISAF partners need more SOF units that
will deploy in support of U.S. and NATO strategic goals in
Afghanistan. These units are critical to achieving those
aims. By using 1206 funds for this program, the USG will
enhance its strategic partnership with Hungary, increase the
level of deployed SF troops, and build an important regional
training capacity that will further increase SF capabilities
in the future.
3. (C/NF) Hungary has deployed its Special Forces units,
without national caveat, to participate in combined
operations in Afghanistan. As Hungary's first deployment of
troops in a combat role since WWII, this commitment is
highly significant. Support for this 1206 request will
signal USG support for the GOH in this vital and essential
area.
4. (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. The GOH has
already extended its PRT mandate through October 2010 and its
OMLT mandate through August 2010. Additionally, senior
Government officials state that in December, after the
national budget process is completed, the deployed Special
Forces contingent's mandate, currently scheduled to end in
February 2010, will be extended through the end of 2010.
This 1206 investment is fully justified by the expected
deployments, policy outcomes, and developments in partner
capacity.
5. (C/NF) Hungary,s SF units are conducting the full range
of missions from military assistance (or foreign internal
defense),to special reconnaissance, to direct action. This
versatility means that this request is justified under either
the stability operations or the counter-terrorist side of the
1206 funding authority. While the request was sent in under
stability operations, the Country Team strongly believes that
decision-makers are fully justified in using
counter-terrorist rationale as well. The capability will in
fact be used in both roles. This position has been
coordinated with USEUCOM.
6. (U) Office of Defense Cooperation Budapest POC for this
project is Colonel Lawrence J Kinde at 3630-274-8742 or
LKINDE@SAN.OSD.MIL. Embassy POC is Jon Martinson,
36-1-475-4454 or martinsonjl2@state.gov.
LEVINE