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| Identifier: | 02ROME4424 |
|---|---|
| Wikileaks: | View 02ROME4424 at Wikileaks.org |
| Origin: | Embassy Rome |
| Created: | 2002-09-12 09:10:00 |
| Classification: | SECRET |
| Tags: | MOPS PREL HU IT PREL HU IT PREL HU IT IZ IZMOPS IZMOPS |
| Redacted: | This cable was not redacted by Wikileaks. |
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
S E C R E T ROME 004424
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/12/2012
TAGS: MOPS, PREL, HU, IT, PREL, HU, IT, PREL, HU, IT, IZ, IZMOPS, IZMOPS
SUBJECT: HUNGARIAN PM ASSURES HOMELAND SECURITY DIRECTOR
RIDGE OF CONTINUING GOH SUPPORT
CLASSIFIED BY: DEPUTY CHIEF OF MISSION EMIL SKODON, REASON 1.5 (B & D)
=======
SUMMARY
=======
1. (S) HUNGARIAN PRIME MINISTER MEDQYESSY ASSURED HOMELAND
SECURITY DIRECTOR RIDGE OF GOH SUPPORT FOR THE WAR ON TERROR,
INCLUDING ITS CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO STEMMING FINANCIAL
SECRET
PAGE 02 ROME 04424 121327Z
SUPPORT FOR TERRORISM AND TO HOSTING THE ILEA IN BUDAPEST.
THE GOH WAS ALSO WILLING TO FURTHER DEVELOP THE BILATERAL
INTEL-SHARING RELATIONSHIP IN A "COMPLEMENTARY" MANNER. IN
THE CONTEXT OF AN EXCHANGE ON POSSIBLE MILITARY ACTION
AGAINST IRAQ, MEDQYESSY TOLD RIDGE "YOU CAN COUNT ON US" BUT
APPEALED FOR CLOSE CONSULTATION PRIOR TO ANY USE OF FORCE.
THE PM'S CHIEF FOREIGN AND SECURITY POLICY ADVISOR, KLARA
AKOTS, SECONDED THE PLEA FOR "NO SURPRISES" AND EXPLAINED
THAT THE GOH WOULD NEED TIME TO BUILD SUPPORT FOR MILITARY
ACTION AMONGST THE HUNGARIAN ELECTORATE. END SUMMARY.
2. (U) GOVERNOR TOM RIDGE, ADVISOR TO THE PRESIDENT FOR
HOMELAND SECURITY, MET ON 7 SEPTEMBER WITH HUNGARIAN PRIME
MINISTER PETER MEDQYESSY TO DISCUSS BILATERAL COOPERATION IN
THE WAR ON TERROR. THE MEETING TOOK PLACE IN CERNOBBIO,
NORTH OF MILAN, WHERE BOTH RIDGE AND MEDQYESSY WERE ATTENDING
THE ANNUAL AMBROSETTI CONFERENCE. ALSO PRESENT WERE CHIEF
FOREIGN AND SECURITY POLICY ADVISOR TO THE PM KLARA AKOTS, A
GOH INTERPRETER AND A GOH NOTETAKER, AND CHARGE D'AFFAIRES
SKODON.
============================================= ===========
GOH SUPPORT FOR WAR ON TERROR: FINANCIAL CONTROLS, ILEA
============================================= ===========
3. (C) MEDQYESSY BEGAN THE MEETING BY EMPHASIZING THAT THE
USG COULD DEPEND ON GOH ASSISTANCE IN THE WAR ON TERROR. THE
GOH HAD ASSESSED 9-11 AS AN ATTACK ON THE WORLD COMMUNITY,
NOT THE U.S. ALONE. IT WANTED TO COOPERATE AS MUCH AS IT
COULD IN THE WORLD'S RESPONSE TO TERRORIST ATTACKS.
SECRET
PAGE 03 ROME 04424 121327Z
4. (C) THE PM SAID HE WAS AWARE THAT HUNGARY HAD BEEN ON A
LIST OF NATIONS WHICH HAD INADEQUATE SAFEGUARDS AGAINST
FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS BY CRIMINAL AND TERRORIST
ORGANIZATIONS, BUT THANKS TO NEW LEGISLATIVE MEASURES HAD
BEEN REMOVED FROM THE LIST -- "THANK GOD." (COMMENT: WE
ASSUME THE PM WAS REFERRING TO THE FATF "BLACKLIST." END
COMMENT.) MEDGYESSY RECOGNIZED THE IMPORTANCE OF CHOKING OFF
FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR TERRORISM, AND ASSURED THE GOVERNOR
THAT THE GOH HAD DONE AND WOULD DO WHAT IT COULD TO HALT THE
FLOW OF FUNDS. THE PM ALSO SAID THAT HE WAS PLEASED WITH THE
WORK OF THE INTERNATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ACADEMY IN
BUDAPEST, PARTICULARLY ITS ANTI-TERROR TRAINING FOR BALKAN
STATES, AND WAS AWARE OF THE NEED TO DO MORE TO COUNTER THE
THREAT OF TERRORISM.
5. (C) GOVERNOR RIDGE EXPRESSED GRATITUDE ON BEHALF OF THE
USG FOR ALL THE GOH HAD DONE TO FIGHT TERRORISM. HE WAS
PLEASED THAT BUDAPEST WAS HOSTING THE ILEA; THERE WAS NO
GREATER CHALLENGE FOR THE U.S. AND OTHER COUNTRIES THAN
FINDING WAYS TO INTENSIFY THE INVOLVEMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT
IN THE BATTLE AGAINST TERRORISM WITHOUT COMPROMISING THE
LIBERTIES AND FREEDOMS THAT WE ENJOY. HE WAS ALSO PLEASED TO
HEAR OF THE GOH'S COMMITMENT TO MORE LAW ENFORCEMENT
TRAINING, SOMETHING NEEDED NOT ONLY INTERNATIONALLY BUT
DOMESTICALLY WITHIN THE U.S. AS WELL.
========================
ENHANCING INTEL EXCHANGE
========================
6. (S) MEDQYESSY SAID THAT IN A WORLD OF BURGEONING
SECRET
PAGE 04 ROME 04424 121327Z
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, MANAGING AND CONTROLLING THE FLOW OF
INFORMATION WAS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF THE WAR ON TERROR.
RIDGE AGREED, NOTING THAT THE USG HAD MADE SIGNIFICANT
INVESTMENTS IN IT, BUT THEY HAD NOT NECESSARILY BEEN VERY
SMART INVESTMENTS. WE WERE GETTING MORE COMFORTABLE WITH
EXCHANGING INFORMATION WITH PARTNER COUNTRIES BUT HAD TO DO A
BETTER JOB OF PROVIDING IT TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IN A
MANNER THAT DID NOT COMPROMISE SOURCES AND METHODS.
7. (S) THE PM REPLIED THAT GOH INTEL OFFICIALS ALREADY
PARTICIPATED IN EXCHANGES WITH THE USG, BUT HE COULD SAFELY
SAY THAT IF THERE COULD BE EVEN CLOSER COOPERATION, IT WOULD
BE A PLEASURE TO OFFER IT. THE GOH HAD A STRONG ANALYTICAL
CAPACITY, AND THE INTEL RELATIONSHIP WAS VERY GOOD AND VERY
PROFESSIONAL. THE NEW HEAD OF THE RELEVANT GOH AGENCY WOULD
VISIT THE U.S. IN A FEW WEEKS, WHICH WOULD BE AN
ENCOURAGEMENT TO MORE COOPERATION. THE GOH WANTED TO SEE THE
RELATIONSHIP DEVELOP, IN A COMPLEMENTARY WAY.
8. (C) RIDGE ASKED IF THERE WERE ANY NEW COUNTER-TERROR
RECOMMENDATIONS OR INITIATIVES BEING DEVELOPED BY THE GOH, OR
IF THERE WERE ANY THINGS THE USG COULD BE DOING BETTER FOR
HUNGARY. MEDQYESSY REPLIED THAT, QUITE HONESTLY, HE HAD NOT
CONSIDERED THIS QUESTION. THE GOH KNEW THAT THE USG WOULD
HAVE TO CARRY THE GREATEST PART OF THE BURDEN IN THE WAR ON
TERROR, BUT IT WAS WILLING TO THINK ABOUT WHAT IT COULD DO TO
ASSUME SOME OF THAT BURDEN.
======================================
SECRET
PAGE 05 ROME 04424 121327Z
THE ROOTS OF TERROR: FACT AND FICTION
======================================
9. (U) FOLLOWING THE PM'S COMMENT ABOUT THE SHARP NATURE OF
THE CONFERENCE DEBATE ON THE CAUSES OF TERRORISM, GOVERNOR
RIDGE POINTED OUT THAT HE HAD TRIED TO HELP COUNTER SOME OF
THE MORE DISINGENUOUS PROJECTIONS PUT FORWARD BY MEMBERS OF
THE AUDIENCE, FOR EXAMPLE THE ARGUMENT THAT POVERTY OR SOCIAL
INEQUITY WAS THE ROOT CAUSE OF TERROR. THERE WAS NO NEXUS AT
ALL BETWEEN USAMA BIN LADEN'S TYPE OF TERROR AND POVERTY;
ELIMINATING POVERTY WORLDWIDE WAS UNDOUBTEDLY A NOBLE GOAL,
BUT IT WOULD NOT NECESSARILY LEAD TO THE DISAPPEARANCE OF
TERRORISM.
===================================
IRAQ: GOH APPEAL FOR CONSULTATIONS
===================================
10. (U) IN RESPONSE TO MEDQYESSY'S QUESTION ON USG POLICY
TOWARD IRAQ, RIDGE NOTED THAT THE PRESIDENT HAD BEGUN
CONSULTATIONS WITH CONGRESS AND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY
IN THE PAST WEEK, AND WOULD ADDRESS THE ISSUE IN HIS
FORTHCOMING UNGA SPEECH. THESE ACTIONS WOULD HELP DISPEL THE
MISTAKEN SPECULATION ABOUT USG PLANS TO ACT UNILATERALLY.
RIDGE CAUTIONED THE PM NOT TO READ TOO MUCH INTO MEDIA
REPORTS OF DISAGREEMENTS WITHIN THE ADMINISTRATION. AS
SECRETARY POWELL HAD SAID, SOME OF THE REPORTED DIFFERENCES
SIPDIS
WERE REAL, SOME PERCEIVED, AND SOME IMAGINARY. THE PRESIDENT
WAS A DECISIVE LEADER WHO ENCOURAGED OTHERS TO EXPRESS
DIVERGENT VIEWS, BUT THERE WAS NO DISAGREEMENT AT ALL THAT
SADDAM'S PURSUIT OF WMD CONSTITUTED A MENACE NOT JUST TO THE
SECRET
PAGE 06 ROME 04424 121327Z
U.S. BUT TO THE ENTIRE WORLD.
11. (C) MEDQYESSY SAID HE EXPECTED SADDAM TO TRY AND BUY TIME
BY ALLOWING UN INSPECTORS BACK INTO IRAQ, ALTHOUGH HE DOUBTED
SADDAM WAS THINKING MUCH BEYOND THAT NEXT MOVE. THE PM
STRESSED THAT THE TIMING OF USG CONSULTATIONS WITH ITS NATO
ALLIES ABOUT ANY USE OF FORCE WOULD BE AN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT
ISSUE; AKOTS, WHO HAD NOT SAID A WORD UP TO THIS POINT, ADDED
EMPHATICALLY, "YOU ASKED HOW YOU COULD HELP US? DON'T TAKE
US BY SURPRISE." GOVERNOR RIDGE AND CDA ASSURED MEDQYESSY
THAT THE CIRCLE OF CONSULTATION WOULD WIDEN BEYOND THE PERM
FIVE. AKOTS SAID THE GOH REALIZED CONSULTATIONS WOULD
NATURALLY TAKE PLACE ON MANY LEVELS -- THE UN, NATO,
BILATERALLY -- AND HOPED THE USG RECOGNIZED THAT EACH SET OF
CONSULTATIONS SERVED A DISTINCT PURPOSE AND SO WOULD HAVE TO
BE APPROACHED DIFFERENTLY.
12 (C) THE PM CONCLUDED THE DISCUSSION ON IRAQ BY TELLING
GOVERNOR RIDGE "WE ARE AND WILL BE RELIABLE PARTNERS; YOU CAN
COUNT ON US." GOVERNOR RIDGE CONFIRMED THAT HE HAD CLEARLY
UNDERSTOOD THE PM'S MESSAGE THAT THE GOH NEEDED MORE CLARITY
ABOUT USG INTENTIONS, AND ASSURED HIM IT WOULD BE FORTHCOMING
THROUGH THE U.S. AMBASSADOR AND EMBASSY IN BUDAPEST.
(FOLLOWING THE MEETING, AKOTS BUTTONHOLED CHARGE TO EXPLAIN
THAT THE GOH DESIRE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON IRAQ WAS DRIVEN
BY ITS NEED TO EDUCATE AND PREPARE THE HUNGARIAN ELECTORATE,
WHERE SENTIMENT WAS CURRENTLY RUNNING AGAINST THE USE OF
MILITARY FORCE.)
13 (U) THIS CABLE WAS CLEARED BY EMBASSY BUDAPEST AND
GOVERNOR RIDGE'S STAFF.
SECRET
PAGE 07 ROME 04424 121327Z
SEMBLER
SECRET
>
@@@OASYS@@@
SECRET PTQ0136
PAGE 01 ROME 04424 01 OF 02 121152Z
ACTION EUR-00
INFO LOG-00 CIAE-00 DODE-00 SRPP-00 DS-00 UTED-00 VC-00
H-01 TEDE-00 INR-00 L-00 VCE-00 AC-01 NSAE-00
NSCE-00 OMB-01 PA-00 PM-00 PRS-00 ACE-00 P-00
SCT-00 SP-00 SSO-00 SS-00 TEST-00 TRSE-00 T-00
USIE-00 PMB-00 DSCC-00 DRL-02 G-00 SAS-00 /005W
------------------E645EE 121153Z /03
P 120910Z SEP 02
FM AMEMBASSY ROME
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5783
INFO AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST PRIORITY
S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 ROME 004424
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/12/2012
TAGS: MOPS, PREL, HU, IT, IZ
SUBJECT: HUNGARIAN PM ASSURES HOMELAND SECURITY DIRECTOR
RIDGE OF CONTINUING GOH SUPPORT
CLASSIFIED BY: DEPUTY CHIEF OF MISSION EMIL SKODON, REASON 1.5 (B & D)
=======
SUMMARY
=======
1. (S) HUNGARIAN PRIME MINISTER MEDQYESSY ASSURED HOMELAND
SECURITY DIRECTOR RIDGE OF GOH SUPPORT FOR THE WAR ON TERROR,
INCLUDING ITS CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO STEMMING FINANCIAL
SECRET
PAGE 02 ROME 04424 01 OF 02 121152Z
SUPPORT FOR TERRORISM AND TO HOSTING THE ILEA IN BUDAPEST.
THE GOH WAS ALSO WILLING TO FURTHER DEVELOP THE BILATERAL
INTEL-SHARING RELATIONSHIP IN A "COMPLEMENTARY" MANNER. IN
THE CONTEXT OF AN EXCHANGE ON POSSIBLE MILITARY ACTION
AGAINST IRAQ, MEDQYESSY TOLD RIDGE "YOU CAN COUNT ON US" BUT
APPEALED FOR CLOSE CONSULTATION PRIOR TO ANY USE OF FORCE.
THE PM'S CHIEF FOREIGN AND SECURITY POLICY ADVISOR, KLARA
AKOTS, SECONDED THE PLEA FOR "NO SURPRISES" AND EXPLAINED
THAT THE GOH WOULD NEED TIME TO BUILD SUPPORT FOR MILITARY
ACTION AMONGST THE HUNGARIAN ELECTORATE. END SUMMARY.
2. (U) GOVERNOR TOM RIDGE, ADVISOR TO THE PRESIDENT FOR
HOMELAND SECURITY, MET ON 7 SEPTEMBER WITH HUNGARIAN PRIME
MINISTER PETER MEDQYESSY TO DISCUSS BILATERAL COOPERATION IN
THE WAR ON TERROR. THE MEETING TOOK PLACE IN CERNOBBIO,
NORTH OF MILAN, WHERE BOTH RIDGE AND MEDQYESSY WERE ATTENDING
THE ANNUAL AMBROSETTI CONFERENCE. ALSO PRESENT WERE CHIEF
FOREIGN AND SECURITY POLICY ADVISOR TO THE PM KLARA AKOTS, A
GOH INTERPRETER AND A GOH NOTETAKER, AND CHARGE D'AFFAIRES
SKODON.
============================================= ===========
GOH SUPPORT FOR WAR ON TERROR: FINANCIAL CONTROLS, ILEA
============================================= ===========
3. (C) MEDQYESSY BEGAN THE MEETING BY EMPHASIZING THAT THE
USG COULD DEPEND ON GOH ASSISTANCE IN THE WAR ON TERROR. THE
GOH HAD ASSESSED 9-11 AS AN ATTACK ON THE WORLD COMMUNITY,
NOT THE U.S. ALONE. IT WANTED TO COOPERATE AS MUCH AS IT
COULD IN THE WORLD'S RESPONSE TO TERRORIST ATTACKS.
SECRET
PAGE 03 ROME 04424 01 OF 02 121152Z
4. (C) THE PM SAID HE WAS AWARE THAT HUNGARY HAD BEEN ON A
LIST OF NATIONS WHICH HAD INADEQUATE SAFEGUARDS AGAINST
FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS BY CRIMINAL AND TERRORIST
ORGANIZATIONS, BUT THANKS TO NEW LEGISLATIVE MEASURES HAD
BEEN REMOVED FROM THE LIST -- "THANK GOD." (COMMENT: WE
ASSUME THE PM WAS REFERRING TO THE FATF "BLACKLIST." END
COMMENT.) MEDGYESSY RECOGNIZED THE IMPORTANCE OF CHOKING OFF
FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR TERRORISM, AND ASSURED THE GOVERNOR
THAT THE GOH HAD DONE AND WOULD DO WHAT IT COULD TO HALT THE
FLOW OF FUNDS. THE PM ALSO SAID THAT HE WAS PLEASED WITH THE
WORK OF THE INTERNATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ACADEMY IN
BUDAPEST, PARTICULARLY ITS ANTI-TERROR TRAINING FOR BALKAN
STATES, AND WAS AWARE OF THE NEED TO DO MORE TO COUNTER THE
THREAT OF TERRORISM.
5. (C) GOVERNOR RIDGE EXPRESSED GRATITUDE ON BEHALF OF THE
USG FOR ALL THE GOH HAD DONE TO FIGHT TERRORISM. HE WAS
PLEASED THAT BUDAPEST WAS HOSTING THE ILEA; THERE WAS NO
GREATER CHALLENGE FOR THE U.S. AND OTHER COUNTRIES THAN
FINDING WAYS TO INTENSIFY THE INVOLVEMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT
IN THE BATTLE AGAINST TERRORISM WITHOUT COMPROMISING THE
LIBERTIES AND FREEDOMS THAT WE ENJOY. HE WAS ALSO PLEASED TO
HEAR OF THE GOH'S COMMITMENT TO MORE LAW ENFORCEMENT
TRAINING, SOMETHING NEEDED NOT ONLY INTERNATIONALLY BUT
DOMESTICALLY WITHIN THE U.S. AS WELL.
========================
ENHANCING INTEL EXCHANGE
========================
6. (S) MEDQYESSY SAID THAT IN A WORLD OF BURGEONING
SECRET
PAGE 04 ROME 04424 01 OF 02 121152Z
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, MANAGING AND CONTROLLING THE FLOW OF
INFORMATION WAS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF THE WAR ON TERROR.
RIDGE AGREED, NOTING THAT THE USG HAD MADE SIGNIFICANT
INVESTMENTS IN IT, BUT THEY HAD NOT NECESSARILY BEEN VERY
SMART INVESTMENTS. WE WERE GETTING MORE COMFORTABLE WITH
EXCHANGING INFORMATION WITH PARTNER COUNTRIES BUT HAD TO DO A
BETTER JOB OF PROVIDING IT TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IN A
MANNER THAT DID NOT COMPROMISE SOURCES AND METHODS.
7. (S) THE PM REPLIED THAT GOH INTEL OFFICIALS ALREADY
PARTICIPATED IN EXCHANGES WITH THE USG, BUT HE COULD SAFELY
SAY THAT IF THERE COULD BE EVEN CLOSER COOPERATION, IT WOULD
BE A PLEASURE TO OFFER IT. THE GOH HAD A STRONG ANALYTICAL
CAPACITY, AND THE INTEL RELATIONSHIP WAS VERY GOOD AND VERY
PROFESSIONAL. THE NEW HEAD OF THE RELEVANT GOH AGENCY WOULD
VISIT THE U.S. IN A FEW WEEKS, WHICH WOULD BE AN
ENCOURAGEMENT TO MORE COOPERATION. THE GOH WANTED TO SEE THE
RELATIONSHIP DEVELOP, IN A COMPLEMENTARY WAY.
8. (C) RIDGE ASKED IF THERE WERE ANY NEW COUNTER-TERROR
RECOMMENDATIONS OR INITIATIVES BEING DEVELOPED BY THE GOH, OR
IF THERE WERE ANY THINGS THE USG COULD BE DOING BETTER FOR
HUNGARY. MEDQYESSY REPLIED THAT, QUITE HONESTLY, HE HAD NOT
SECRET
SECRET PTQ0137
PAGE 01 ROME 04424 02 OF 02 121153Z
ACTION EUR-00
INFO LOG-00 CIAE-00 DODE-00 SRPP-00 DS-00 UTED-00 VC-00
H-01 TEDE-00 INR-00 L-00 VCE-00 AC-01 NSAE-00
NSCE-00 OMB-01 PA-00 PM-00 PRS-00 ACE-00 P-00
SCT-00 SP-00 SSO-00 SS-00 TEST-00 TRSE-00 T-00
USIE-00 PMB-00 DSCC-00 DRL-02 G-00 SAS-00 /005W
------------------E645FC 121153Z /03
P 120910Z SEP 02
FM AMEMBASSY ROME
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5784
INFO AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST PRIORITY
S E C R E T SECTION 02 OF 02 ROME 004424
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/12/2012
TAGS: MOPS, PREL, HU, IT, IZ
SUBJECT: HUNGARIAN PM ASSURES HOMELAND SECURITY DIRECTOR
RIDGE OF CONTINUING GOH SUPPORT
CONSIDERED THIS QUESTION. THE GOH KNEW THAT THE USG WOULD
HAVE TO CARRY THE GREATEST PART OF THE BURDEN IN THE WAR ON
TERROR, BUT IT WAS WILLING TO THINK ABOUT WHAT IT COULD DO TO
ASSUME SOME OF THAT BURDEN.
======================================
THE ROOTS OF TERROR: FACT AND FICTION
======================================
SECRET
PAGE 02 ROME 04424 02 OF 02 121153Z
9. (U) FOLLOWING THE PM'S COMMENT ABOUT THE SHARP NATURE OF
THE CONFERENCE DEBATE ON THE CAUSES OF TERRORISM, GOVERNOR
RIDGE POINTED OUT THAT HE HAD TRIED TO HELP COUNTER SOME OF
THE MORE DISINGENUOUS PROJECTIONS PUT FORWARD BY MEMBERS OF
THE AUDIENCE, FOR EXAMPLE THE ARGUMENT THAT POVERTY OR SOCIAL
INEQUITY WAS THE ROOT CAUSE OF TERROR. THERE WAS NO NEXUS AT
ALL BETWEEN USAMA BIN LADEN'S TYPE OF TERROR AND POVERTY;
ELIMINATING POVERTY WORLDWIDE WAS UNDOUBTEDLY A NOBLE GOAL,
BUT IT WOULD NOT NECESSARILY LEAD TO THE DISAPPEARANCE OF
TERRORISM.
===================================
IRAQ: GOH APPEAL FOR CONSULTATIONS
===================================
10. (U) IN RESPONSE TO MEDQYESSY'S QUESTION ON USG POLICY
TOWARD IRAQ, RIDGE NOTED THAT THE PRESIDENT HAD BEGUN
CONSULTATIONS WITH CONGRESS AND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY
IN THE PAST WEEK, AND WOULD ADDRESS THE ISSUE IN HIS
FORTHCOMING UNGA SPEECH. THESE ACTIONS WOULD HELP DISPEL THE
MISTAKEN SPECULATION ABOUT USG PLANS TO ACT UNILATERALLY.
RIDGE CAUTIONED THE PM NOT TO READ TOO MUCH INTO MEDIA
REPORTS OF DISAGREEMENTS WITHIN THE ADMINISTRATION. AS
SECRETARY POWELL HAD SAID, SOME OF THE REPORTED DIFFERENCES
SIPDIS
WERE REAL, SOME PERCEIVED, AND SOME IMAGINARY. THE PRESIDENT
WAS A DECISIVE LEADER WHO ENCOURAGED OTHERS TO EXPRESS
DIVERGENT VIEWS, BUT THERE WAS NO DISAGREEMENT AT ALL THAT
SADDAM'S PURSUIT OF WMD CONSTITUTED A MENACE NOT JUST TO THE
U.S. BUT TO THE ENTIRE WORLD.
11. (C) MEDQYESSY SAID HE EXPECTED SADDAM TO TRY AND BUY TIME
SECRET
PAGE 03 ROME 04424 02 OF 02 121153Z
BY ALLOWING UN INSPECTORS BACK INTO IRAQ, ALTHOUGH HE DOUBTED
SADDAM WAS THINKING MUCH BEYOND THAT NEXT MOVE. THE PM
STRESSED THAT THE TIMING OF USG CONSULTATIONS WITH ITS NATO
ALLIES ABOUT ANY USE OF FORCE WOULD BE AN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT
ISSUE; AKOTS, WHO HAD NOT SAID A WORD UP TO THIS POINT, ADDED
EMPHATICALLY, "YOU ASKED HOW YOU COULD HELP US? DON'T TAKE
US BY SURPRISE." GOVERNOR RIDGE AND CDA ASSURED MEDQYESSY
THAT THE CIRCLE OF CONSULTATION WOULD WIDEN BEYOND THE PERM
FIVE. AKOTS SAID THE GOH REALIZED CONSULTATIONS WOULD
NATURALLY TAKE PLACE ON MANY LEVELS -- THE UN, NATO,
BILATERALLY -- AND HOPED THE USG RECOGNIZED THAT EACH SET OF
CONSULTATIONS SERVED A DISTINCT PURPOSE AND SO WOULD HAVE TO
BE APPROACHED DIFFERENTLY.
12 (C) THE PM CONCLUDED THE DISCUSSION ON IRAQ BY TELLING
GOVERNOR RIDGE "WE ARE AND WILL BE RELIABLE PARTNERS; YOU CAN
COUNT ON US." GOVERNOR RIDGE CONFIRMED THAT HE HAD CLEARLY
UNDERSTOOD THE PM'S MESSAGE THAT THE GOH NEEDED MORE CLARITY
ABOUT USG INTENTIONS, AND ASSURED HIM IT WOULD BE FORTHCOMING
THROUGH THE U.S. AMBASSADOR AND EMBASSY IN BUDAPEST.
(FOLLOWING THE MEETING, AKOTS BUTTONHOLED CHARGE TO EXPLAIN
THAT THE GOH DESIRE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON IRAQ WAS DRIVEN
BY ITS NEED TO EDUCATE AND PREPARE THE HUNGARIAN ELECTORATE,
WHERE SENTIMENT WAS CURRENTLY RUNNING AGAINST THE USE OF
MILITARY FORCE.)
13 (U) THIS CABLE WAS CLEARED BY EMBASSY BUDAPEST AND
GOVERNOR RIDGE'S STAFF.
SEMBLER
SECRET
PAGE 04 ROME 04424 02 OF 02 121153Z
SECRET
>
2002ROME04424 - Classification: SECRET
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