HUNGARY'S COMMENTS ON MOBILIZING PRESSURE ON IRAN

S E C R E T BUDAPEST 000050 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/FO ELISA CATALANO, ISN/RA RICHARD NEPHEW AND RISA MONGIELLO, AND EUR/CE JAMIE MOORE E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/28/2030 TAGS: PARM PREL UNSC IAEA IR HU SUBJECT: HUNGARY'S COMMENTS ON MOBILIZING PRESSURE ON IRAN REF: A. SECSTATE 9124 ¶B. 2008 STATE 97577 ¶C. 2008 BUDAPEST 1004 Classified By: Political Officer Jon Martinson, reasons 1.4 (b,d) 1 (U) This is an action request, see paragraph four. ¶2. (C) PolOff delivered ref A points to the MFA's Arms Control and Non-proliferation Section Head Mark Horvath January 29. Horvath noted that Hungary is not directly involved in the P5 1 discussion on Iran, but had received positive feedback from the January 16 meeting. That said, he commented that China only sent a low-level representative, which, in Horvath's view, is a powerful message as to China's willingness to increase pressure on Iran. While noting that Russia's position is changing and it may be more willing to engage in the Security Council, Horvath said China will be difficult. Commenting that the Security Council resolution process will drag out until March or April 2010, Horvath said that he is not very optimistic for a new UNSC resolution. Continuing, Horvath stated that there should have been a clear, actionable deadline at the end of December 2009 for Iran to comply with the UN, IAEA and P5 1 resolutions and proposals. ¶3. (C) Turning to the EU, Horvath expressed his view that the EU will only be ready to engage when the UN process is completed, once again further delaying any substantial increased multilateral pressure on Iran. Horvath underscored Hungary's readiness to discuss autonomous EU action in parallel with the UN process, but he expressed doubts as to the willingness of several EU member states to proceed in advance of any further UN actions. ¶4. (S) In closing, Horvath raised the issue of support for the joint IAEA-Norway safety training project for Bushehr's nuclear power plant outlined in ref B. While Hungary has been coordinating with the IAEA (ref C) to support the training project, Horvath noted that the Czech Republic and Slovakia recently withdrew their plans to participate. With the U.S. seeking to increase pressure on Iran, Horvath asked Post to confirm by February 3 if the USG stills supports the Bushehr project in order to allow the GOH to advise the IAEA whether Hungary will participate or withdraw from the project. Post requests Department's guidance to allow a response to the MFA by February 3. KOUNALAKIS