ACTION REQUEST: HUNGARY'S POSITION ON THE

C O N F I D E N T I A L BUDAPEST 000112 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR: EUR/CE JAMIE MOORE, IO COURTNEY MUSSER E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/25/2015 TAGS: PHUM UNGA EU HU SUBJECT: ACTION REQUEST: HUNGARY'S POSITION ON THE GOLDSTONE REPORT REF: STATE 15722 Classified By: Political Officer Christina Hernandez, reasons 1.4 (b) a nd (d). ¶1. (C) On February 24, PolOff delivered reftel points to Ministry of Foreign Affairs International Organizations Division Human Rights officer Agnes Hevesi. Hevesi noted that Hungary had voted against on the November 5, 2009 UN General Assembly resolution on the Goldstone Report, but would likely follow EU consensus on the upcoming vote on the final text of the resolution. Hevesi stated that the text presented during the EU meeting on February 23 was more reserved and balanced than the initial draft. However, the Hungarian Government believes that some paragraphs remain problematic and need revision. Specifically, Hungary would like to delete a specific deadline for reporting prescribed in the fourth operative paragraph. Hevesi added that Budapest supports a change in the voting pattern from three options to two (yes or no). ¶2. (C) Separately, Political Director Gabor Iklody called PolOff on February 25 to request USG assistance in reaching out to Germany. Iklody said that the EU Coordinating group meets the tonight, February 25, at 9 PM CET for final discussions on the upcoming Goldstone vote in the UN, stating that the EU is moving towards two options, either a yes vote, or abstention. Commenting that he that has been reaching out to other like-minded countries: Italy, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, and Romania to work towards a group consensus proposing either a no vote or abstention, he was unable to reach his counterpart in Germany. ¶3. (C) Iklody stated that in his discussions with Italy and the Netherlands, he see the possibility for a like-minded group abstention if some from the "yes" group, i.e. France and the UK, would be willing to join the group. He noted that Hungary, Italy and the Czech Republic are "ready to join" abstention if all EU members abstain; however, the Netherlands would most likely abstain unless three or four other countries were willing to join them in a "no" vote. ¶4. (C) Iklody stressed that Hungary has a clear preference for a "no" vote, as the proposed resolution does not help the Middle East peace process. He views Germany as the key element to maintain the like-minded group consensus, commenting that "if they don't stay on track the group will fall apart." Iklody said he has already reached out to Israel to ask them to intercede with Germany, and he requests that the USG do the same. KOUNALAKIS