No

No. 10. (09/04/99)
Two Months of Euro – Atlantic Integration

Summary: February – March, 1999

February 1

NATO General Secretary Javier Solana declares the possibility of sending up to 30 thousand NATO troops to Kosovo in order to enforce a peace treaty.

Árpád Göncz goes on an unofficial visit to Germany. He talks about the great support in Hungary of the imminent NATO-accession. He asks the two governing parties to support Romania’s Euro – Atlantic integration efforts.

February 2

Géza Jeszenszky, Hungarian ambassador in Washington, says the last impediments having been eliminated, Hungary’s representatives will be able to participate in the definition of the new Alliance programme with full voting rights at the April anniversary summit. Although the delay in the amendment of the Constitution is not an obstacle to full membership, Hungary’s chosen allies deem essential that all hindrances are eliminated so the country can quickly and flexibly join into the activity of the defence organisation.

February 3

The FIDESZ initiates talks between the parliamentary parties on the subject of the amendment of the Constitution related to the movement of NATO troops. The FIDESZ and the MDF continue to deem the proposal developed with a five-party consensus as the basis for the negotiations. According to the proposal, the authorisation of the movement of the troops would be granted in the Government’s powers instead of that of the Parliament. At the same time, the FIDESZ is open to the modus vivendi proposals of the MSZP and the FKGP. László Kovács suggests that the peacemaking activity of Hungarian troops should be authorised by the qualified majority of the House whereas participation in military exercises should require the two-third support of the Defence Committee.

There was agreement in the External Affairs Committee of the Parliament concerning Hungary’s essential interest in the peaceful, negotiatory settlement of the conflict in Kosovo. Committee chairperson István Szent-Iványi nevertheless warned of the effect of the Parliamentary decree enabling NATO aircraft to use Hungarian airspace.

February 4

During the recent years, the Hungarian military industry has recovered from the breakdown trend of the decade. Formerly, 40 – 50 companies, 10 – 15 of which were of decisive character, used to operate in the industry. All of these were affected in the wave of insolvency in one way or other. Yet the professional and technical core has survived in the Hungarian military industry whereas the Central Technological Development Fund has given grants to the various companies whose main profile has remained electronics.

German Minister of Defence Rudolf Scharping – paying visits with the Three awaiting accession to the NATO – says that Germany wishes to assist her new allies in terms of both military training and technology.

February 5

General Naumann told that, regardless of the outcome of Rambouillet, only an international military force will be able to keep the peace between the 200 thousand Serbs and the 1.8 million Albanians living in the province in Southern Serbia. Naumann as well as leading Western politicians speak of a force of 25 – 35 thousand troops, the overwhelming majority of which would come from the Western European NATO allies. The international peacekeeping force projected for Kosovo would be another external deployment for a NATO seeking new missions.

Hungary continues to support Slovenia’s NATO membership – Viktor Orbán says on his return from his day visit to Slovenia.

February 6

The conflict in Kosovo is intolerable for Europe and the powers affected will not suffer violence to endanger the stability of South-Eastern Europe – participants of the international Kosovo conference opened on Saturday in Rambouillet near Paris are warned by France’s Chief of State Jacques Chirac.

Gerhard Schröder welcomed the Eastern expansion of NATO and stated that a period of consolidation is required following the accession of the new members. Romanian Defence Minister Bubiuc on the other hand, urged the quick integration of his country, arguing that the policy of ‘open gates’ will be discredited without a clear perspective date.

February 7

Moscow continues to object to the NATO expansion. Russia expects its opinion to be treated seriously even if the country does not have a veto, said Russia’s under-secretary of State for Foreign Affairs at the 35^th International Security Conference.

February 8

The Parliament has passed a resolution on Hungary’s NATO accession and the ratification of the North Atlantic Treaty. The bill was passed at 330 ayes against 13 noes (MIÉP), with one abstention. The MP’s decided on the proclamation of the treaty without a debate. Viktor Orbán deemed this had been the end of the process that could lead the country back to the Western defensive system. In his speech at the Parliament, faction leader Gábor Kuncze emphasised: Hungary’s accession into NATO will be the result of 1956, the politics of consensus following the change of the regime as well as of the economic stabilisation process of 1994 – 1998.

The Parliament also passed with great majority, at the negative vote of the MIÉP, this year’s itemised draft of the partnership programme between Hungary and the NATO. With this resolution, the Parliament has consented to the participation of Hungarian Army troops in the previously stipulated NATO exercises.

February 9

The Airspace Sovereignty Operational Centre (ASOC), developed with US assistance, has been inaugurated in Veszprém. The state-of-the-art equipment installed here will enable the secure control of both military and civilian aviation in the airspace of Hungary. At the same time, the ASOC is also the first tangible result of the co-operation ability of Hungary, said Peter Tufo. On the accession, the new centre can be integrated into the air defence system of the 16 NATO member states.

Romanian Prime Minister Radu Vasile expects Hungary to continue, as a member of NATO, to support Romania’s efforts for Euro–Atlantic integration.

February 10

President Árpád Göncz has signed the Act on the issuance of the instrument specifying the accession of Hungary into the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and on the proclamation of the Washington Treaty.

February 11

At the Rambouillet Conference, Strobe Talbott, the first under-secretary of US Secretary of State stated that the modernisation of NATO is one of the major urgent tasks of US foreign policy. The issues to be decided until the April Washington summit include the functions of NATO following the expansion. He said he deemed the present conference a test that is also an implication to the changed role of the Atlantic organisation.

February 14

Italian prime minister D’Alema said that the time when Hungary will become a full NATO member is crucial for the Alliance. The fact that Hungary will belong to NATO’s southern wing, with its centre in Naples, could give a new impetus to Hungarian-Italian relations.

The Hungarian Army will meet the basic requirements (legislational amendments, the secret protection requirements and the integration into the Alliance’s communication and integrated defence system) required for the NATO membership by March 12^th. Further important tasks will include the technological development of the Army as well as the development of the linguistic skills of the military, said administrative state secretary of the Ministry of Defence Tamás Wachsler.

February 16

Madeleine Albright, first person of the American diplomacy, invites the ministers of foreign affairs of Hungary, the Czech Republic and Poland to the celebration on the occasion of the accession into NATO of the three countries to be held in Independence, Missouri, on March 12.

February 20

The meeting of the Hungarian Government and the Hungarian organisations beyond the borders has been held for the third time. The meeting has been especially timely on account of the NATO-membership of Hungary and the EU-integration process. In his speech, Viktor Orbán stressed: ‘It is in Hungary’s interest that our environment is stable and secure in terms of foreign policy. We do not want the widening of existing dividing lines into rifts in the region, neither do we want a new iron curtain. It is in our interest that the second circle of accession takes place as soon as possible, creating real opportunity for the surrounding countries for the integration.

February 22

Minister of Defence János Szabó has appointed Lajos Urbán first assistant of the Chief of Staff, István Talla Chief of Staff of the Air Force and Alajos Fodor the defence policy under-secretary of state of the Ministry of Defence. He also assigned Attila Kositzky with the leadership of the work group developing the air force doctrine.

February 23

The Kosovo peace conference, extended twice, having ended yesterday in Rambouillet, near Paris, has resulted in partial agreements. The opposing parties agreed to negotiate again on March 15. The General Secretary of NATO warned the parties of Kosovo not to violate the cease-fire, engage in provocative acts or violate the effective resolutions of the UN Security Council in the meantime. Javier Solana stressed that the NATO continues to be willing to use any measure in order to find a peaceful solution for the Kosovo crisis and the possible avoidance of human suffering. The air forces awaiting aerial strikes continue to be in readiness, with the design of the possible peacekeeping operation continuing as well.

February 26

The Czech and the Polish presidents have signed the documents on the accession of their countries to the NATO.

China, as the permanent member of the Security Council, vetoed the six-month extension of the mandate of the UN troops stationed in Macedonia (Macedonia has established diplomatic relations with Taiwan.) NATO will now fully take over their duties. There is an over two thousand-strong NATO force stationed currently in Macedonia, whose mission is to protect the 1,300 OSCE observers watching over the cease-fire in Kosovo.

March 2

At the Paris international peace conference, where the experts invited reviewed the relationship between the Ukraine and Euro-Atlantic security, former US national security consultant Brzezinski urged support for the Ukraine. On behalf of the Ukraine, the country’s intention to integrate into the new European structure has been clearly stated.

The Parliament has passed the resolution on the projected movement of troops based on this year’s bi- and multilateral agreements. The resolution allows 72 bi- and multilateral movements of troops for this year. Pursuant to the amendments, the appointed sub-unit of the Dutch Air Force may visit Kecskemét with up to 250 troops, 10 F-16’s and one carrier aircraft, unequipped with missiles or ammunition. However, this requires the consent of the Parliament. As a consequence of this amendment, any movement of troops exceeding the scale of 100 troops and five operational technical equipment will, in the future, require Parliamentary authorisation. Pursuant to another amendment passed by the House, the Ministry of Defence shall report the costs resulting by the movement of troops to the Parliament in 2000.

March 3

The 130 Hungarian troops and 40 vehicles participating in the NATO exercise to be started on March 9 are to travel to Udine be rail, through Slovenia and Croatia. The decision is not affected by the fact that, according to the information of the Austrian press, the NATO has requested a transit clearance from Austria.

As soon as both the Senate the Romanian House of Representatives have ratified the treaty concerning the establishment of the joint Hungarian – Romanian peacekeeping battalion, the preparation of the execution of the technical agreement will begin, said Colonel Cristinel Ghiga, head of the Press Department of the Romanian Ministry of Defence.

March 4

The Bercsényi Miklós Mechanised Rifle Brigade of Hódmezővásárhely held an official send-off celebration in the honour of the troops participating at the Adventure Exchange ’99 NATO exercise in Italy. According to NATO’s principles, the exercise will be conducted without the involvement of sub-units by the troops of ten countries – including the three new members.

The immediate environment of Austria’s social democratic prime minister does not expect changes on account of the fact that the country is surrounded by the North Atlantic Organisation from yet another direction. The integration of Austria into the NATO is currently not expedient. What is important, however, is the country’s active participation in the partnership for peace, including any operation of a humanitarian, disaster-elimination or prevention purpose, free of any military aspects.

March 5

The Magyar Pénzverő Rt. has produced the first specimens of the Hungarian NATO coins (38.65 mm in diameter, of 28.28 grams, made of 925 per thousand silver). Each of the three new members issue coins with one side being uniform (designed by Robert Kotowicz), whereas the Hungarian side of the Hungarian coins is the work of artist György Bognár.

March 7

Zoltán Martinusz, Head of the Defence Policy Department of the Ministry of Defence said that the troops offered for the NATO response forces may be employed both within and outside Hungary. These troops are suitable for the performance of the collective defence liability agreed to by Hungary through its NATO integration. These forces are constituted partly by eight MiG-29’s of the Air Force and the Tata, Szolnok and Hódmezővásárhely units of the Inland Staff as well as the technical battalion stationed in Croatia.

Mr. Martinusz said: the integration to the integrated NATO air defence system was completed during the time before the accession, the top-level Hungarian political and military leadership communicates with the NATO on suitably protected channels. Also, Hungary is bale to protect the classified and protected information of the Alliance in terms of technical, physical and personal considerations.

NATO allocates the membership fee on a percentage basis. Hungary is to pay .65 percent of the entire NATO budget. The fee for the current year is obviously to be paid pro-rata, involving a payment obligation of HUF 2 billion for this year.

March 8

Two-thirds of Hungarian citizens support the country’s NATO membership. The majority of the people, however, think that Hungary may, in the future, become involved in conflicts it has no interest in – a survey conducted by the public opinion research institution Szonda Ipsos has revealed.

March 9

At the meeting of the Government, the coalition factions support the issue of the amendment of the Constitution associated with the movement of NATO troops by a joint proposal. Since the MSZP and the SZDSZ do not see the reason for supporting the proposal, its passing by the Parliament is doubtful. István Simicskó (Fidesz) vice-chairperson of the Defence Committee said: the coalition parties will engage in consultations and finalise their proposal by the beginning of next week. This may be followed by consultations with the opposition parties. Mr. Simicskó hopes that the House will pass the amendment in the spring.

Currently, 32 soldiers serve at the various Hungarian NATO agencies, whereas following the accession, Hungary is expected to receive 73 international positions at NATO’s European Headquarters and the subordinated headquarters. Of these, 17 positions will be held by commissioned and uncommissioned Hungarian officers by the time of the accession, 36 altogether before the end of the year, whereas the remaining positions remain to be filled during the period until 2001. NATO has offered three positions of major-general in the reconstituted system. Zoltán Szenes, the first single-star Hungarian general can take his Naples station in early April, positioned as the logistics assistant of the chief of staff.

March 10

Ferenc Kovács, under-secretary of state of the Ministry of Transport, Communication and Water Management has said that the national budget includes only a minor, HUF 40 million fund associated with the country’s NATO membership. The establishment of the railway connection between Budapest and Slovenia, also a prospective NATO member has been made a particularly urgent issue by Hungary having been assigned by NATO’s leadership into the Naples-centred southern wing of the organisation. NATO standards will also influence telecommunications policies, such as decisions concerning the allocation of frequencies.

The amount allocated for linguistic training at the Hungarian Army has constantly been on the increase. Whereas between 1991 – 1995, the Army marked off HUF 6 – 12 million annually for the purpose, by 1996 the amount grew to HUF 64 million, with in excess of HUF 200 million last year. Currently 1679 professional soldiers have an English language diploma of various levels.

March 11

The Hungarian and the Italian Prime ministers conducted negotiations as military and political allies. Apart from the review of the Kosovo situation and the general situation at the Balkan, the discussions included the future and the tasks of the Atlantic organisation. Both Budapest and Rome are in favour of the ‘open gates’ principle, urging the accession of further members.

Hungary is joining the NATO with an army suitable in its basic equipment and basic training, Minister of Defence János Szabó opined. The necessary technical development process cannot be delayed for long. The purchase of radar equipment is to be financed by the Alliance. The aircraft trend is to be announced until 2003 at the latest.

Following the accession, Hungary’s most important responsibilities include the enhancement of the readiness of the quick response units offered to the Alliance, including the shortening of their response time. Soon the low-height French earth-air missiles, for the protection of the lower layers of the airspace, are to be installed. Next year, the vehicle trend will be announced, involving an expense of HUF 0.5 billion in the preparation phase only. New Army vehicles will be bought in 2000 for HUF 4.5 billion.

The next step in the control of the airspace will be made when Hungary has received the three long-range 3D-image locators to be made available by the NATO. Apart from the Hungarian airspace, these will enable the monitoring of parts of the airspace of the surrounding countries, too.

According to information published in The Financial Times, the NATO has declared to the new members, that instead of substantial arms purchases, increasing their expenses, it requires of them as an initial measure

to modernise their existing military infrastructure, in particular at fields of communications.

The next NATO priority, however, is going to be the modernisation of the air defence systems, including the installation of modern radar equipment.

March 12

At 07:04, CET, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Poland became members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), after the ministers of foreign affairs of the three countries (János Martonyi, Jan Kavan and Bronislaw Geremek) officially handed over the accession instruments of their respective countries to Madeleine Albright representing the Government of the United States (as required by NATO’s Charter of Foundation) at the Truman Memorial Library in Independence, Missouri. The documents will be guarded at the Washington National Archives.

In his speech, János Martonyi said: the independent Hungary has made the decision concerning its NATO accession out of its free will.

Afterwards, Madeleine Albright made a speech and signed the letter informing NATO’s Secretary General Javier Solana of the deposition.

Mrs. Albright said, Moscow cannot hinder the invitation into NATO of the Baltic states. Romania and Slovenia are deemed suitable for membership by several experts.

NATO’s Secretary General Javier Solana published a message: the accession into NATO of Prague, Warsaw and Budapest is primarily the acknowledgement of the efforts made be the three countries during the recent years for the strengthening of democracy, the economic transition and the modernisation of their armed forces.

March 15

The reaction to last year’s accession of the three countries has been clearly repulsive in China whereas mixed in the successor states of the former Soviet Union. The Belarussian president declared: as a response, Minsk is to enhance its defensive capacity. Leaders of the Ukraine welcomed the new situation. Decisive political forces in Bratislava and Bucharest opine that the expansion will serve the security of the region and the balance of forces.

Discussions have opened in Paris, treated as the continuance of the Rambouillet conference, on the future of the Serbian province. The Kosovo Albanians accept the settlement plans of the six-strong international mediating team while the Serbian position continues to be rejective (Belgrade would essentially be forced to completely withdraw its forces). Vice-premier Ratko Martovic declared: ‘If the NATO arrives in Serbia without an invitation, it will be received as any other aggressor or enemy.’

March 16

The national flags of the Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary have been hoisted at a solemn ceremony at the Brussels NATO headquarters. The Hungarian flag is positioned between the flags of Greece and Iceland. The Hungarian delegation was led by premier Viktor Orbán. Prague and Warsaw were also represented on premier level. Later, the Prime ministers of the Three made their speeches in alphabetical order at the extraordinary meeting of the North Atlantic Council, where Secretary General Javier Solana greeted the new member states. Prime minister Viktor Orbán said the accession has been historical recompense for the events of 1956 in Hungary.

March 17

The flags of the NATO, Hungary and the other 18 member states were hoisted at the Ministry of Defence at military honours. President Árpád Göncz and Minister of Defence János Szabó also attended the celebration.

March 18

A NATO Information and Research Centre has opened at the international law department of ELTE. Guest speech-maker of the opening was Norman Ray, NATO Assistant Secretary for defence-support issues. Initiator of the Centre has been Chris Donelly, chief advisor in Central and Eastern European issues of NATO’s Secretary General, who said that Hungarian security policy-related research and education need to be developed also in the ‘civilian’ sphere of higher education. The Centre will be headed by head of the international law department of the ELTE, László Valki.

The establishment of the Centre has cost app. HUF 3 million. The transformation and the installation of the library made available by the Faculty of Law of the ELTE have been supported by the Budapest representations of several NATO member states. The Hungarian Academy of Science has declared the Centre and Academic research institution, agreeing to finance various programs.

The 82 pages of the Kosovo Peace Treaty developed by the six-strong international mediating team contains political and military measures. The political chapters define the wide scope of autonomy to be established in Kosovo. The Albanians living there should be entitled to elect a Parliament, a government, even a president. Pursuant to the Treaty the Kosovo Albanians forego their intention to exercise the right of self-determination, i.e. they will not insist on the referendum deciding the fate of Kosovo.

The military section allows the stationing of 26 thousand troops of the international peacekeeping forces, under NATO direction. Serbia would be entitled to station only a minimal number of troops, performing border-protection duties. The armed Albanian groups would also surrender their arms.

March 19

The Kosovo-conference in Paris ended without success, as Belgrade rejected to sign the settlement plan of the international mediating team. The OSCE called its observers (app. 1,400 persons) to leave the Serbian province whereas several Western European countries have begun the evacuation of their Belgrade Embassies.

Hungary’s Minister of Foreign Affairs János Martonyi engaged in discussions with representatives of the Voivodinian Hungarian Association (VMSZ) concerning the effect on the Voivodinia-based Hungarians of the Kosovo-conference of Paris.

March 21

The NATO is preparing for aerial strikes against Yugoslavia. Secretary General Javier Solana has consulted with NATO member states as well as with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan in order to prepare the ground for a possible military intervention in Kosovo. The mobilisation order for the aerial strikes was issued earlier. The NATO Council extended the powers of Javier Solana: the Secretary General is now authorised to order aerial strikes against the entire Serbian Army, instead of the Serbian Air Force only. The NATO member states wished to respond to the worsening of the Kosovo situation through this change. The Alliance has prepared for the bombings.

March 22

The threat by NATO on Yugoslavia does not directly affect the life and the activities of the Hungarian technical unit stationed in Okucani, each member of the unit performing his duty in safe conditions. Today, a new relief is to arrive, with 130 of the members of the unit replaced before March 31.

In his speech before the agenda at the Hungarian parliament Prime minister Viktor Orbán appraised the importance of Hungary’s integration into the NATO.

The House has begun the discussion of the bill on disaster-elimination. According to the draft, the Government is entitled to announce an emergency in disaster situations. In such situations, the Government may simultaneously activate the civil defence forces at the disaster-stricken areas, notifying thereof the president and the Parliament. It may also take measures concerning the deployment of the Army, the Border Guard, mobilising the army reserve as well. In the emergency announced, these measures of the Government may remain in effect for up to fifteen days before they are confirmed by the Parliament.

March 23

No political solution has been found for the Kosovo crisis. Holbrooke US mediator declared the failure of his latest Belgrade mission to the NATO ambassadors. Secretery General Javier Solana ordered General Wesley Clark, European Commander-in-chief of the Allied forces to commence the aerial strikes against Yugoslavia. Each of the 19 members declared its consent to the operation. Solana said: the NATO is not waging a war on Yugoslavia. Bill Clinton said: no matter how risky the enterprise, the employment of force has become inevitable. British Prime Minister Tony Blair and French Premier Lional Jospin made declarations to similar effect.

Hungary, the Czech Republic and Poland have, together, become joint members of the Western European Union. The Permanent Council of the Western European Union, destined to become the defence wing of the European Union brought its decision concerning the change of status following the accession of the three countries into NATO.

March 24

NATO’s air force attacked military targets in the whole of Yugoslavia in several waves in the evening. The targets bombed included airports, anti-aircraft batteries, commander battle positions and military bases. The attacks have caused serious damage as well as taking human victims. This has been the first time since the end of WW 2 that German aircraft is used in ‘live’ deployment abroad.

In his declaration following the start of the NATO attack, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan branded the failure of the diplomatic efforts aiming at the settlement of the Kosovo crisis tragic. He also admitted that there are situations in which the use of force is justified in order to create peace. According to the UN’s Charter, the chief responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security is borne by the SC. Therefore, he added, the organisation ought to be involved in any activity aimed at the reconstitution of peace.

At the request of NATO, the Parliament consented to the use by the military organisation of Hungarian airports as well as the countries airspace during the operations against Yugoslavia.

March 28

NATO has begun the second, much more risky phase, NATO Secretary General Javier Solana announced. He repeatedly engaged in consultations with the 19 members that granted their quick consent, offering further aircraft for the purposes of the operation. NATO officials have stressed unity within the Alliance.

March 29

For the time being, ministries use their own budgets against the costs of the domestic security measures necessitated by NATO’s operation against Yugoslavia. Additional expenses of the Border Guard may amount to tens of million forints until the end of the NATO operation.

The Macedonian Government has brought up the need of the country’s ‘very quick’ accession into NATO for the first time. Fear is on the increase among the population of Macedonia concerning the possible expansion of the war. Bulgaria is also worried about the possibility of its involvement in the umpteenth Balkan war.

March 31

NATO General Secretary Javier Solana has authorised Wesley Clark, European Commander-in-chief of the Allied forces, to extend the scope of the military targets in Yugoslavia and to increase the pace of the aerial strikes.

Moscow is sending a scout ship to the Mediterranean, near Yugoslavia. Russia continues its diplomatic efforts aiming at stopping the military operations against Belgrade.