Cablegate: Hungary Supports Afghan National Army Expansion

VZCZCXRO6215
RR RUEHIK RUEHPOD RUEHYG
DE RUEHUP #0882 2491354
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 051354Z SEP 08
FM AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3361
INFO RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS BUDAPEST 000882

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/CE JAMIE LAMORE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AF PREL HU
SUBJECT: HUNGARY SUPPORTS AFGHAN NATIONAL ARMY EXPANSION

REF: SECSTATE 93225

1. (SBU) In response to reftel, MFA Afghan Desk Officer
Ferenc Hegyesi told PolOff on September 4 that Hungary
supports increasing the size of the Afghan National Army
(ANA). Highlighting the current and planned Hungarian
military activity in Afghanistan - their PRT in Baghlan
province, the upcoming security responsibility for Kabul's
airport, deployment of two OMLTs in early 2009 and the
planned Special Forces contingent - Hegyesi stated the
importance of improving the capabilities of the ANA. He also
mentioned that Hungary now has five Hungarian police officers
and one Croatian police officer, originally assigned to their
PRT, seconded to the EUPOL mission, with an additional three
police officers working within their PRT to further develop
Afghan National Police capabilities.

2. (SBU) Comment. While Hungary supports ANA expansion in
principle, we anticipate that the GOH will be challenged to
provide significant contributions to the proposed multi-donor
trust fund due to its current financial situation. End
comment.
Foley

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