VZCZCXRO9017
PP RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR
DE RUEHUP #2505/01 3531552
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 191552Z DEC 06
FM AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0561
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BUDAPEST 002505 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT PLEASE PASS TO NSC FOR ADAM STERLING 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/11/2011 
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM MOPS HU
SUBJECT: FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION: GOH CONSIDERS ITS NATIONAL 
SECURITY STRATEGY AND BUREAUCRACY 
 
REF: BUDAPEST 2500 
 
Classified By: POL/C ERIC V. GAUDIOSI 
 
¶1.  (C) In a meeting with the Ambassador Foley December 13 
before leaving on a brief trip to Afghanistan, ICDT Director 
Ambassador Istvan Gyarmati previewed potential changes in the 
GoH's foreign policy bureaucracy. 
 
A SHORT WINTER'S NAP 
 
¶2. (C) Noting the tendency of the bureaucracy to "hibernate," 
Gyarmati indicated that he is now working on a number of 
things to "wake them up" in the New Year.  On Afghanistan, 
Gyarmati plans to recommend the creation of a special 
coordinator to ride herd on the GoH's plans for the civilian 
side of its Provincial Reconstruction Team.  He acknowledged 
widespread dissatisfaction with the performance of State 
Secretary Gemesi in the PM's Office (echoing our contacts 
 
SIPDIS 
throughout the GoH) and noted that he will suggest a 
"diplomatic excuse" to "neutralize him" by establishing a 
full-time position to coordinate the GoH's efforts in 
Afghanistan.  He will also recommend that the State Security 
Cabinet convene regularly to discuss the PRT in order to 
encourage ownership at the highest levels. 
 
NEW FOREIGN POLICY STRATEGY 
 
¶3.  (C) Afghanistan is lending momentum to the consideration 
of broader structural reforms in the Hungarian bureaucracy. 
Gyarmati confided that he and four colleagues from across the 
political spectrum are now working on a draft foreign policy 
strategy at the Foreign Minister's request.  The report will 
cover security, economic, and cultural issues, and will be 
geared to promote a public debate regarding Hungary's foreign 
policy priorities.  Gyarmati indicated that the decision to 
turn to outside experts to formulate the strategy had already 
prompted dissatisfaction within the Ministry.  (Note: 
although Gyarmati asked us to keep the project in confidence, 
word is clearly out.  FM Goncz was questioned about the 
project while appearing before the Parliamentary Foreign 
Affairs Committee last week, with Chairman Zsolt Nemeth 
asking sarcastically "why does Hungary need a new foreign 
policy strategy with such a successful record?"  End Note.) 
 
NATIONAL MILITARY STRATEGY 
 
¶4.  (C) Gyarmati has also been asked by DefMin Szekeres to 
chair a group of interdisciplinary experts assigned to 
prepare a new National Military Strategy.  He noted that the 
document will advocate a fundamental shift from territorial 
defense to deployability.  It will also press for 
far-reaching reforms in personnel, defense planning, command 
structure, and resource management, consistent with 
Gyarmati's belief that the GoH should not allow its current 
budgetary straits to prevent an essential structural overhaul 
of the MOD in the near-term. 
 
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL? 
 
¶5.  (C) Gyarmati also confided that he is working on a 
proposal requested by PM Gyurcsany re the creation of a 
formal National Security Council.  Gyarmati noted that he has 
been a long-time advocate of such a step, and believes that 
the demonstrations have impressed upon the PM the importance 
of improving the GoH's crisis management capabilities. 
Gyarmati envisions a formal "Foreign and Security Policy 
Board" consisting of the MOD, Justice and Law Enforcement 
Ministry, Finance Ministry, Ministry of Economy, and chaired 
by the MFA.  The body would be supported by a small permanent 
staff of "5 - 6 experts and seconded detailees" and run by 
"someone with gravitas ... and Gyurcsany's ear."  Also 
demonstrating what Gyarmati described as a new focus on 
"governing and not just campaigning," Gyurcsany has indicated 
his intention to form a panel of outside experts to review 
and comment on all recommendations made to the cabinet. 
Gyarmati predicted considerable opposition to his proposals 
from the bureaucracy, but noted that the PM had specifically 
asked for recommendations to consider over his upcoming 
Christmas vacation. 
 
¶6.  (C) Comment: By his own admission, Gyarmati wears "so 
many hats I get confused when I look at myself in the 
mirror."  Although he repeatedly denied any interest in 
joining the new national structure he is recommending, many 
will see his policy recommendations as self-promotion.  That 
should not undermine their obvious utility - and indeed 
necessity - in a bureaucracy whose limitations have been 
exposed by the challenge of its PRT in Afghanistan (reftel). 
End Comment. 
 
BUDAPEST 00002505  002 OF 002 
 
 
 
 
FOLEY