DATE=2/12/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-226673
TITLE=HUNGARY/IRAQ (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=STEFAN BOS
DATELINE=BUDAPEST
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: HUNGARIAN FOREIGN MINISTER LASZLO KOVACS SAYS HIS COUNTRY
WILL FULLY SUPPORT THE UNITED STATES AND BRITAIN IN ANY MILITARY
ACTION AGAINST IRAQ. THE HUNGARIAN OFFICIAL MADE THE REMARKS
THURSDAY AFTER RETURNING FROM A TRIP TO WASHINGTON. DETAILS FROM
BUDAPEST REPORTER STEFAN BOS.
TEXT: MR. KOVACS SAYS HE AND FOREIGN MINISTERS FROM POLAND AND
THE CZECH REPUBLIC WERE ASKED BY SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE
ALBRIGHT FOR THEIR SUPPORT DURING THEIR WASHINGTON VISIT EARLIER
THIS WEEK.
EACH COUNTRY HOPES TO WIN MEMBERSHIP IN THE NATO DEFENSE ALLIANCE
IN ITS NEXT ROUND OF EXPANSION. MR. KOVACS SAYS HUNGARY, AS A
POTENTIAL NATO MEMBER, HAS WHAT HE CALLED A MORAL DUTY TO ACT IN
A TIME OF CRISIS AND PLEDGED SUPPORT FOR ANY UPCOMING ATTACK IN
THE GULF.
THE HUNGARIAN FOREIGN MINISTER SAYS HIS COUNTRY IS PREPARED TO
PROVIDE SUPPORT SIMILAR TO THAT GIVEN DURING THE 1991 GULF WAR.
///KOVACS ACT///
HUNGARY IS PREPARED TO RENDER THE SAME KIND OF SUPPORT
TO THE INTERNATIONAL MILITARY OPERATIONS AS IT DID IN
1991 WHEN IT APPROVED THE USE OF HUNGARIAN AIRSPACE,
(USE OF) SOME HUNGARIAN AIR FIELDS, AND (WHEN) IT SENT A
GROUP OF DOCTORS TO THE (GULF) REGION.
//END ACT///
FOREIGN MINISTER LASZLO KOVACS SAYS HUNGARY'S GOVERNMENT WILL
SEEK PARLIAMENTARY APPROVAL NEXT WEEK FOR THE POSSIBLE MILITARY
ASSISTANCE. ANALYSTS SAY THE APPROVAL IS LIKELY TO BE GRANTED.
(SIGNED)
NEB/SB/PCF
12-Feb-98 2:15 PM EST (1915 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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