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OO RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR
DE RUEHUP #2383/01 3321330
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 281330Z NOV 06
FM AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0440
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL PRIORITY 0068
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BUDAPEST 002383 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT PLEASE PASS TO NSC FOR ADAM STERLING 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/21/2011 
TAGS: PREL MARR MOPS NATO PINS HU
SUBJECT: HUNGARY PREPARES FOR THE NATO SUMMIT: TO RIGA ... 
THROUGH BAGHLAN 
 
REF: SECSTATE 186256 
 
Classified By: POL/C ERIC V. GAUDIOSI; REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D) 
 
¶1.  (C) Summary: As the GoH prepares for the NATO Summit, we 
are using quiet diplomatic contacts and aggressive public 
outreach to help shape their preparations.  GoH officials 
recognize that Afghanistan will be the central focus at Riga 
and appreciate that NATO's efforts there represent an 
important step in a transformation agenda they support.  They 
continue to look to our support as they take on what they 
regard as the unprecedented challenge of leading a PRT in 
Baghlan Province, but with our encouragement - and strong 
(and rare) domestic bipartisan support - they are 
increasingly attuned to the need to focus on reconstruction 
and development programs to complement the PRT's military 
tasks.  We have succeeded in securing the GoH's agreement to 
make a significant donation of small arms to the Afghan 
national security forces at Riga; although increases in 
defense spending remain a longer-term goal given their 
current economic straits, this step would be in their 
interest and within their ability.  End Summary. 
 
TAKING STOCK 
 
¶2.  (C) Ambassador Foley hosted key GoH officials and NATO 
Ambassadors at a November 17 dinner to discuss Hungary's 
Provincial Reconstruction Team in Afghanistan.  In initial 
remarks, State Secretary Gemesi outlined the GoH's desire to 
implement projects in fields ranging from police reform to 
distance learning.  Further discussion highlighted the GoH's 
acute need to develop its plans in further detail to move 
from the conceptual phase to actual implementation. 
Subsequently, officials from various GoH offices have 
contacted USAID and other Embassy offices for follow-up 
meetings and discussions. 
 
¶3.  (C) Drawing on his experience as The Netherlands' Special 
Envoy in Afghanistan, Dutch Ambassador Mollinger urged the 
Hungarian PRT to promote local ownership of its development 
initiatives through close coordination with Afghan officials. 
 He also underscored the importance of an active public 
diplomacy strategy to sustain popular support for the 
mission, cautioning that the GoH must do so "before there are 
body bags." 
 
TAKING THE HILL 
 
¶3.  (C) Ambassador Foley joined her Dutch and German 
colleagues to discuss NATO issues with the Parliamentary 
Foreign Affairs Committee November 21.  In her opening 
remarks, she underscored NATO's ongoing transformation as a 
"community of values in action" around the globe.  She drew 
particular attention to the importance of NATO's mission to 
the people of Afghanistan, welcoming the strong bipartisan 
support Hungary's PRT leadership and highlighting the 
salience of this effort as an indicator of Hungary's 
transition from "a believer in democracy to an actor for 
democracy."  In her comments and in subsequent TV interview, 
she referred to "the responsibilities as well as the 
privileges of membership," emphasizing the USG's own enduring 
commitment to NATO and the importance of greater Hungarian 
investment in defense.  She also called on the GoH to "think 
creatively and act generously" to support Afghan authorities 
by donating equipment to meet key shortfalls in the 
near-term. 
 
¶4.  (C) Ambassador Mollinger focused on the importance of 
"the 3 D's" - defense, development, and diplomacy" in 
ensuring the PRT's success.  He praised the transition from 
Dutch to Hungarian leadership in Pol-e-Khomri, and pledged 
the GoNL's assistance in pursuing EU funds to support 
reconstruction efforts in Baghlan.  German Ambassador Schiff 
reiterated his government's commitment to the mission in 
Afghanistan and outlined priorities including 
capacity-building, investment in "quick-impact" development 
projects, and security sector reform. 
 
¶5.  (C) Questions from the committee reflected their deep 
interest in NATO issues in general and the question of 
enlargement in particular.  The Ambassador's reiteration of 
our policy re Croatia was especially welcome, and the broad 
bipartisan consensus on NATO issues - despite continuing 
domestic political acrimony - was evident throughout.  Also 
of note were Ambassador Mollinger's admission of an "EU 
policy deficit" on Afghanistan and Ambassador Schiff's 
matter-of-fact comment that high expectations for Germany's 
EU presidency might prove unrealistic given "upcoming 
 
BUDAPEST 00002383  002 OF 002 
 
 
elections in France." 
 
TAKING IT TO THE TOP 
 
¶6.  (C) Ambassador Foley reviewed reftel points with PM 
Gyurcsany in a subsequent phone call, emphasizing Afghanistan 
as the Summit's central issue.  He noted the strong national 
consensus on NATO issues including the PRT, but immediately 
cautioned that Hungary would have to "regain its economic 
strength" before it could consider any increase in defense 
spending.  Anticipating his comments regarding Hungary's 
budgetary straits, she pressed for a generous donation of 
small arms as a practical contribution to Alliance efforts to 
stand up Afghan security forces.  About to leave for a trip 
to Macedonia, Albania, and Bosnia (where he indicated Hungary 
would make a further commitment of troops to international 
stabilization forces), Gyurcsany asked for "two days" to get 
back to us. 
 
FROM EACH ACCORDING TO THEIR ABILITY 
 
¶7.  (C) Comment: Hungary will bring few big ideas to Riga but 
will bring something to the table in the form of a 
significant donation to Afghan security forces: we have 
received confirmation of their decision to donate 20,000 
assault rifles, and also of their interest in AID training 
for their PRT, which we believe will help focus and 
strengthen their civil reconstruction planning efforts. 
Issues of bipartisan consensus are rare, and we have 
encouraged both the government and the opposition to support 
NATO transformation as they supported NATO membership.  The 
PRT presents an enormous bureaucratic challenge to the GoH, 
and Hungarian officials must use the coming months to prepare 
their civil development initiatives for the spring.  The 
Ambassador's dinner highlighted the need for a sustained 
effort, and also built important relationships with key 
Allies to support their efforts.  In the longer-term, we hope 
the success of the PRT - as related to the Hungarian people 
through an active media strategy - will help build support 
for further investment in defense in keeping with Hungary's 
commitment to the Alliance.  End Comment. 
 
Minimize Considered 
 
FOLEY