Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10BUDAPEST112
2010-02-25 14:58:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Budapest
Cable title:
ACTION REQUEST: HUNGARY'S POSITION ON THE
how-toVZCZCXRO3224 OO RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHNP RUEHROV RUEHSL RUEHSR DE RUEHUP #0112 0561458 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 251458Z FEB 10 FM AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4939 INFO RUEHRL/AMEMBASSY BERLIN IMMEDIATE 0331 RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA IMMEDIATE 0003 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 0170 RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
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).
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
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