VZCZCXRO0002
RR RUEHAG RUEHDF RUEHIK RUEHLZ RUEHROV RUEHSR
DE RUEHUP #0406 1550547
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 040547Z JUN 09
FM AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4221
INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
RUEHSG/AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO 0018
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC
RHMFIUU/DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY WASHINGTON DC

UNCLAS BUDAPEST 000406 
 
SIPDIS 
SENSITIVE 
 
PASS USTR FOR VIRGINIA BROWN; DHS FOR CBP 
EB/MTA FOR CHENNIGER, EUR/CE FOR JLAMORE 
COMMERCE FOR ITA/MAC/OIPR/ SILVIA SAVICH 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ECON ETRD OPDC AORC HU
SUBJECT: HUNGARY'S WORLD CUSTOMS ORGANIZATION NOMINEE 
 
¶1. (U) The Embassy received a note verbale from the Ministry of 
Foreign Affairs regarding the candidacy of Dr. Janos Nagy, 
Commissioner of the Hungarian Customs and Finance Guard for the post 
of Deputy Secretary General of the World Customs Organization (WCO). 
 Dr. Nagy previously served at the WCO as Deputy Director as well as 
Vice-Chair of the Europe Region.  The GOH is seeking U.S. support 
for Dr. Nagy's candidacy in the June 27, 2009, elections.  Based on 
Post's long working relationship with Dr. Nagy, we believe that he 
would be a good contact at the WCO, and urge that his candidacy be 
given every consideration. 
 
¶2. (U) The following is the note verbale text: 
 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Hungary presents 
its compliments to the Embassy of the United States of America and 
has the honour to communicate the following: 
 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Hungary would 
like to inform the Embassy of the United States of America that the 
Government of Hungary has decided to put forward the candidacy of 
Dr. Janos Nagy to the post of Deputy Secretary General of the World 
Customs Organization (WCO) at the elections to be held during the 
meeting of WCO Council on 27 June 2009 in Brussels, Belgium. 
 
Dr. Janos Nagy has been Commissioner of the Hungarian Customs and 
Finance Guard (HCFG) since 2003.  Earlier he held various positions 
with HCFG and the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Hungary. 
 
During his carrier Dr. Janos Nagy developed wide-range professional 
relations within the framework of the World Customs Organization and 
thanks to his merits he occupied different positions with WCO.  As 
Deputy Director of the Organization and thanks to his merits he was 
responsible for customs reforms, modernization and anti-corruption 
programmes, as well as training and technical assistance for Members 
of WCO.  Furthermore, between 2005 and 2007, while fulfilling the 
position of Vice-Chair of the Europe Region of the World Customs 
Organization, he performed his duties as Representative of Europe 
Region as well. 
 
The outstanding professional background of Dr. Janos Nagy and his 28 
years of experience with the World Customs Organization make him an 
excellent nominee for this prestigious position.  His curriculum 
vitae and a brochure introducing him are attached herewith. 
 
In this context the Government of the Republic of Hungary would 
highly appreciate receiving the support of the Government of the 
United States of America for the abovementioned candidature. 
 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Hungary avails 
itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the United 
States of America the assurances of its highest consideration. 
 
¶3. (SBU) Dr. Nagy has been a close contact of the Embassy for over 
twenty-five years, beginning when he served as a liaison officer in 
the International Department of the Customs Guard.  During the 
1980s, when Hungary was still part of the Eastern Bloc, Nagy helped 
facilitate several DEA and USCS-sponsored anti-narcotics training 
sessions for Hungarian customs officers.  Nagy also participated in 
a several week International Visitor-type program in the United 
States in the late 1980s. 
 
¶4. (SBU) The U.S. also works closely with the Hungarian Customs and 
Finance Guard on a number of issues, including border security, 
trade licensing, anti-money laundering, and anti-terrorism finance. 
The U.S. has provided Hungary with IT and chemical and biological 
weapons detection equipment, and has sponsored Hungarian officials' 
participation in a number of conferences and training sessions. 
 
¶5. (U) The Embassy has transmitted copies of Dr. Nagy's CV to EUR/CE 
and to USTR Virginia Brown.  For additional information, please 
contact Econ Officer Steven Weston at Westons@state.gov. 
 
LEVINE 
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