HUNGARIAN PRT - HOW (IN)EFFECTIVE?

S E C R E T BUDAPEST 000771 NOFORN SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR JAMIE MOORE. PLEASE PASS TO NSC JEFF HOVENIER E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/10/2019 TAGS: MARR PGOV PREL MCAP MOPS AF HU SUBJECT: HUNGARIAN PRT - HOW (IN)EFFECTIVE? Classified By: Political Officer Jon Martinson, reasons 1.4 (b,d) ¶1. (S/NF) Summary. The senior Hungarian MFA representative on the ground with the Hungarian PRT in Baghlan Province says the security situation is deteriorating, with limited Afghan military capability and a Hungarian PRT that is not effectively providing security. Stating that the Provincial Afghan leadership's view of the PRT is very low, the MFA's representative characterizes the Hungarian MINDEF as reluctant for more robust activity. Commenting that better guidance and coordination is needed from HQ ISAF on PRTs' role in Afghanistan, the representative also encourages posting of a State Department officer with the Hungarian PRT. End summary. -------------- WHO WILL DEFEND US? -------------- ¶2. (S/NF) Hungary's senior, and only, civilian on the ground with the Hungarian PRT in Baghlan Province, Ambassador Istvan Tolli (strictly protect),requested a meeting with PolOff to provide his views on the current situation related to Hungarian efforts in Afghanistan. Tolli, who has been the GOH MFA representative in Baghlan for more than two years, began by outlining his assessment of the current security situation in the Province. Stating that the Afghan Kandak's capability is very low, with an approximately 33 percent desertion rate, Tolli noted that, while the Taliban presence may be increasing, criminality is very high and such "criminals," acting on the Taliban's behalf, exploit the local population, who ask: "who will defend us?" Tolli added that "the criminals and Taliban control the district after four P.M." ¶3. (S/NF) Tolli expressed concern that the prestige of the Hungarian PRT in the province is "very low right now" and is viewed by the local population as not effectively contributing to the Province's security. He views the PRT as maintaining a particularly low profile, especially after the death of the two Hungarian EOD personnel. Tolli said, that in his conversations with the Provincial Governor, as well as members of the Shura, they believe that the PRT present in Baghlan has a greater responsibility to provide security, however, there is no common agreement as to responsibilities. Continuing, Tolli said the Governor told him if the PRT is not giving "value added" to security then increase your civil development capabilities. In Tolli's view the Hungarians need to use limited funds more precisely to meet needs of the local population. -------------- "NO CHANCE" FOR INCREASED ACTION -------------- ¶4. (S/NF) Asked if the PRT commanders are reluctant to increase their security activity levels, Tolli said it is not an issue of PRT leadership; they are ready to do more and have expressed a willingness to coordinate with other PRTs for joint action. However, according to Tolli, MinDef Imre Szekeres has told them "no chance, we will keep our present profile." In Tolli's view, the Hungarian MOD's restrictions send "an obvious message to insurgents that they have a safe-haven" in Baghlan Province. He cited a June attack with RPGs and Kalashnikovs on a small PRT convoy resulting in the convoy's return to base as an example of Hungary's risk-adverse operations in the Province. Tolli expressed his view that there is no specific training for combat activity - no instructions to use weapons for self-defense. (Comment. Tolli's comments do not accurately reflect the PRT's caveats, which do allow, but limit an armed response to situations involving self-defense. End comment.) ¶5. (S/NF) Despite MinDef Szekeres' apparent reluctance to increase the PRT's activity, Tolli said that Laszlo Tombol, the new Chief of Defense, is trying to shift Hungarian activity towards OMLT operations, because the "PRT is not doing anything" and there is little pressure to change its philosophy - in Tolli's words - "to be a tourist." In a related issue, he said that two Hungarian-sponsored NGOs use 70 percent of Hungarian assistance funding for Afghanistan but the PRT is unwilling to protect them, stating "it is not our responsibility." Tolli finds this unacceptable, as the NGO personnel, both Afghan and Hungarian, are accomplishing the bulk of Hungarian assistance programs in-country. Tolli also suggested that the guidelines for all PRTs operating are not clearly defined and better HQ ISAF guidance is needed. ¶6. (S/NF) Turning to specific Hungarian PRT development projects, Tolli observes that changing the PRT Commander every six months results in development programs that have no sustainability or coherence. While acknowledging that CIMIC funds are useful, he said that there is no "whole of project" development, citing PRT constructed clinics that are now used as stables and schools that have no equipment. Stressing that Hungary development programs need "professional guidance with a greater civilian presence on the ground," Tolli cited the Czech PRT that includes 10 civilians as an example Hungary needs to follow. -------------- POTENTIAL EIGHT MILLION DOLLAR WINDFALL? -------------- ¶7. (C/NF) Commenting that he has approximately USD 70,000 to spend on projects, Tolli said that currently approximately one-third of the PRT manning is needed to support the MOD's leave policy for PRT members. Tolli suggested that by reducing the six-month tours to four months, the GOH could free up an additional USD eight million, of which at least a portion could be used for additional civil sector development programs. ¶8. (S/NF) Comment. Although less-versed in military operations, Tolli's observation after two-plus years on the ground in Baghlan province deserve attention and should not be dismissed out-of-hand. During his conversation with PolOff, he acknowledged that he is frustrated, in particular, with the support for Hungarian civil-development projects in Afghanistan, and he would appreciate any support to underscore that message to the MFA. Tolli also suggested that State Department representation in Baghlan would help strengthen coordination at the multi-national level. End Comment. LEVINE