HUNGARY'S COMMENTS ON THE JANUARY FAC AGENDA

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BUDAPEST 000036 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/CE JAMIE MOORE AND EUR/ERA LIZ KONICK E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV AF BH IR PK SO HU SUBJECT: HUNGARY'S COMMENTS ON THE JANUARY FAC AGENDA REF: KONICK JANUARY 16 EMAIL BUDAPEST 00000036 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. (SBU) MFA EU External Relations and Crisis Situations Section Chief Andras Dekany discussed ref email topics with PolEconOff on January 22. ¶2. (SBU) Dekany provided comments on the following topics: Afghanistan/Pakistan, Iran, Yemen, Somalia, and Bosnia-Herzegovina. -- Afghanistan/Pakistan: The GOH shares our desire for a successful London Conference on January 28, which Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Balazs plans to attend. According to Dekany, the final version of the EU Action Plan, which was presented in outline form at the October GAERC, will be ready in time for the Conference. Hungary would like President Karzai to present a detailed plan for dealing with corruption at the London Conference. At the FAC, Hungary plans to emphasize Afghanistan's need for a trustworthy new cabinet in due course which can cope with the country's security challenges as well as the primary role that regional players such as Pakistan have in ensuring conditions for stability and lasting peace in Afghanistan. Preparations for upcoming Afghan parliamentary elections should be closely linked to the successful creation of a new cabinet, while the timing of elections should be subject to further discussions with partners in the international community. -- Iran: The GOH concurs with the US position that the international community must prevent Iran from obtaining a military nuclear capability; this is the priority that guides all other steps toward engaging with Iran. According to Dekany, further consultations are needed regarding a new UNSCR, as EU member states have not yet agreed on how best to proceed. Hungary supports the early consideration of a new UNSCR as well as concurrent discussions on possible EU sanctions. -- Yemen: The GOH supports the plan for a conference on Yemen on the margins of the January 28 London Conference on Afghanistan. Dekany noted, however, that Hungary was not invited to participate in the Yemen discussions. In light of Yemen's deteriorating internal situation and its impact on regional stability and security, the GOH supports national reconciliation in Yemen, with priority given to domestic reforms that include firm counter-terrorism provisions. Dekany noted, however, concerns on the part of the Yemeni Government that internationalizing Yemen's domestic problems could create a perception of dependency that could provide political ammunition to domestic insurgents. Moreover, according to Dekany, improved border controls and Yemen's integration into the GCC is essential to regional stability. -- Somalia: Dekany reported that Hungary plans to offer personnel - one staff officer and six NCO trainers - to the EU training mission in Uganda. The EU approach to Somalia will be guided by the EU Strategy on the Horn of Africa. Moreover, according to Dekany, a commitment by the Somali government and African ownership would both be essential to stability and lasting peace in Somalia. He added that the EU has extended the mandate for EU operations against piracy off the coast of Somalia through December 2010. -- Bosnia-Herzegovina: Dekany emphasized the need for tangible, but realistic results this year, including the fulfillment of requirements for visa liberalization with the EU as well as amendments to the constitution in accordance with the December ruling by the European Court of Human Rights. The GOH hopes for a decision on MAP and visas before October, understanding that discussions within NATO are still needed to harmonize varying approaches among the members. Hungary strongly opposes secessionist rhetoric in Republika Srpska and favors engaging Bosnia's neighbors to promote stability. Hungary also supports bold steps, similar to those taken previously in Serbia, to support election campaigns for pro-EU forces. The GOH views the OHR as incompatible with EU integration and as having reached the limits of its usefulness under the status quo, but it acknowledges that its closure is not realistic at present. While it is necessary to consider all possibilities for a stronger EU presence in Bosnia, EU unity and full harmony with US efforts will be crucial to a successful transition. He noted that Bosnian political elites are likely to attempt to exploit any perceived divisions between Brussels and Washington and emphasized that decoupling the OHR and EUSR is a delicate matter that will require much internal discussion among stakeholders. -- Bosnia-Herzegovina (cont.): While numerous questions pertaining to future troop withdrawals remain to be answered, BUDAPEST 00000036 002.2 OF 002 Hungary plans to maintain its current level of troop contribution as long as necessary and will contribute to new training and capacity development tasks as the mission is reconfigured. In any event, according to Dekany, EUFOR drawdowns should not be conducted on the basis of contributing countries' fatigue. Hungary favors a cautious reconfiguration of ALTEA with due consideration given to upcoming Bosnian parliamentary elections and KFOR withdrawals and Hungary expects that ALTEA will need to retain some executive functions following the elections. KOUNALAKIS