C O N F I D E N T I A L BUDAPEST 000807 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR GEORGIA 
TASK FORCE AND EUR/CE-JAMIE LAMORE E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/11/2018 TAGS: 
KCFE, NATO, PARM, RU, GG, HU SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: U.S. PROPOSAL 
FOR STRONG NAC STATEMENT CONDEMNING RUSSIAN ACTIONS IN GEORGIA REF: 
SECSTATE 85678 Classified By: PolOff Ryan C. Leong, reasons 1.4(b) and 
(d). 

1. (C) Ref talking points were delivered on August 11 to Vilmos 
Hamikus, Acting State Secretary for Political Affairs at the GoH 
Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Hamikus agreed with the main principals of 
the talking points, namely the need for a cease fire and cessation of 
hostilities, however he also noted to Charge and PolOff that a strongly 
worded response from the EU was unlikely. Hamikus said it was important 
that any NATO and EU statements be as similar as possible, since Russia 
would be watching very carefully for gaps between the two for future 
exploitation. Hungary is in the process of formulating its position for 
the NAC meeting on August 12 and the EU GAERC meeting on August 13. The 
GAERC may be attended by GoH Foreign Minister Kinga Goncz. 

2. (C) 
Hamikus said that Russia was "smart enough to go far enough," implying 
that Russia was in the process of creating enough diplomatic and 
geographic maneuvering space to negotiate an advantageous position in 
Georgia. He stated that the Russians likely had an easy negotiating path
ahead given the military gains made; the Georgians would unfortunately 
be in a weaker position and probably be forced to make concessions. 
Hamikus added that it could only boost Russia's overall foreign and 
security policy that two potential NATO members (Georgia and Ukraine) 
could end up in this imbroglio, sidetracking their accession 
aspirations. 

3. (C) Hamikus agreed that the Russian response is entirely
out of proportion. Hungary would not object to tough language in either
a NAC or GAERC statement. However, Hamikus expected objections to 
aggressive language against Russia would come from the typical quarters,
namely Italy and Germany. He was thankful that the French are currently
holding the reins of the EU Presidency as they are "braver" than other 
EU members. 

4. (C) The GoH has not been contacted by diplomatic missions
from Russia or Georgia thus far. Hungary has no official diplomatic 
representation in Georgia at present, as it was in the process of 
establishing a mission. Levine