DEMARCHE RESPONSE: HUNGARIAN VIEWS ON THIRD

UNCLAS BUDAPEST 000779 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/CE JAMIE MOORE, DRL/MLGA CHRIS SIBILLA, AND IO/HR COLLEEN NEVILLE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PREL UN EU HU SUBJECT: DEMARCHE RESPONSE: HUNGARIAN VIEWS ON THIRD COMMITTEE PRIORITIES REF: STATE 108921 ¶1. (U) PolOff and EmbOff delivered reftel points October 22 to Anna Miklos, the Ministry of Foreign Affair's UN Desk Officer. Miklos expressed appreciation for the opportunity to discuss Third Committee agenda items in advance, adding that the Hungarian position parallels USG priorities. She said she will forward our points to the Hungarian Mission in New York and noted that it had already been in contact with USUN on several of the issues. ¶2. (U) Concerning country-specific resolutions, Miklos stated that Hungary supports the proposals for Iran, Burma and North Korea. Hungary has not supported "no-action" motions in the past and will not do so this year. ¶3. (SBU) On the Defamation of Religions resolution, Miklos noted that Hungary will vote with the harmonized EU position, which echoes the USG's recommendations. She stressed that this is one of the EU's "red line" issues. ¶4. (U) Regarding the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women resolution and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, Miklos confirmed Hungarian support for both motions. Hungary is already a co-sponsor of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, she noted. ¶5. (U) Miklos could not yet provide the Hungarian position concerning the U.S. biennial resolution on free elections. She expects an official response from Hungary's UN Mission by October 27, and promised to update Post at that time. ¶6. (SBU) PolOff used the opportunity to express appreciation for Hungary's stand against the UN Human Rights Council resolution on the situation in the Palestinian Territory and East Jerusalem adopted on October 16. Miklos noted that only three other EU member states voted against the resolution. LEVINE