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(S//SI) NSA's Hungarian Relationship -- It Just Keeps Getting Better!
FROM:
Country Desk Officer - Hungary (DP11)
Run Date: 07/03/2006
(S//SI) NSA and Hungary broaden cooperation on targets in Eastern Europe, continue work on
terrorism and other targets.
(S//SI) Col Tibor Pászka, Director of Hungary's Military Intelligence Organization's SIGINT
Directorate, hosted the 2006 US-Hungary Annual Planning Conference (APC) in Budapest on 4
and 5 April 2006. Management from MIO SIGINT's Analysis and Production, Data Collection,
SRTD, Research and Development, and Foreign Relations divisions participated in the
conference, which was attended on the US side by representatives from FAD (Foreign Affairs
Directorate), the Office of Russia, International Security Issues' Ukraine office, and Regional
Target's Balkans Division. The conference agenda covered the gamut from technical to analytic
issues, providing two full days of briefings, discussion, and operations floor tours.
(S//SI) After opening remarks from both sides, briefings were presented that provided a quick
review of the past year and proposed joint endeavors for the coming year. Highlights for the
past year included:
Two major surveys
Microwave survey that resulted in a Hungarian accommodation buy for equipment
to collect against Ukraine civil targets
SATCOM survey that produced a continuing flow of new intelligence on various
topics
Increased MIO processing capability Installation of a PROFORMA collection system (from
which the MIO is producing multi-media reports)
Continued reporting (in English) on the Balkan and Ukraine military targets
(S//SI) Col. Pászka noted that MIO's mission has changed from a solely military one to a
security-related mission with a broader charter. Although MIO is still interested in military
activities near Hungary's borders, and maintains troop protection as one of its highest priorities
(Hungary has troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kosovo), it now also considers terrorism,
smuggling, crime and corruption, and illegal trade as high priorities.
(S//SI) Col. Pászka reiterated his organization's commitment to the partnership with NSA. He
requested further technical advice and methodology, noting that he would like to be able to
share more intelligence with us, while better supporting domestic needs. In exchange for such
assistance, Hungary offered skills and access, as well as honesty and friendship.
(S//SI) The honesty and friendship were evident throughout the conference. Open, frank
discussions enabled the participants to reach consensus on many issues, and to agree on the
direction for the partnership over the coming year. Activities proposed for this year include:
Continued MIO reporting on the Balkans, Ukraine, Global War on Terrorism, and Africa
MIO provision of SIGINT on Russia and CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States)
Expansion of the exchange on the Ukraine to include civil, as well as military targets
Follow-on SATCOM survey SIGDEV training for MIO analysts
(S//SI) It was encouraging to see how well our interests continue to mesh, and to see first-hand
how far our Hungarian partner has come in the past year. MIO has consistently supported our
requirements. Col Pászka stated that MIO would do its best to fill our gaps - "consider MIO as
your site." I'm not sure it gets any better than that!
(S//SI) APC attendees take a break to enjoy a Hungarian buffet lunch.
(U//FOUO) This article is reprinted from the Foreign Affairs Digest , May edition.
"(U//FOUO) SIDtoday articles may not be republished or reposted outside NSANet
without the consent of S0121 (DL sid_comms)."
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DERIVED FROM: NSA/CSSM 1-52, DATED 08 JAN 2007 DECLASSIFY ON: 20320108