Thread by @panyiszabolcs

Want to read how @StateDept officials like Wess Mitchell, David Hale or Pompeo’s chief advisor, Brian H. Hook get frustrated and lose patience while negotiating with Viktor Orban’s people?

We at @direkt36 have that juicy diplomatic cable for you! THREAD

direkt36.hu/en/turelmetlen…

2/ The document is a summary of talks in Washington DC in December 2018 mostly between State officials and Hungary’s deputy MFA Levente Magyar. This is a non-classified Hungarian diplomatic cable obtained by @direkt36.

Some quotes (translated from Hungarian back to English):

3/ Wess Mitchell (Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, resigned on Januar 4, 2019):

"Support is starting to dissipate for those who believe in U.S.-Hungarian relations, we have to show results."

4/ Wess Mitchell:

"Congress is taking a hostile stance towards Hungary, there is a constant criticism because of CEU and the extradition case.”

Mitchell is referring to the Lyubishin extradition case, uncovered by @direkt36:
direkt36.hu/en/ket-orosz-f…

5/ Brian H. Hook (Senior Policy Advisor to the Secretary of State):

"The State Department is taking a serious political risk and is attacked for its policy shift towards the Hungarian government. On the Hungarian side, there is no progress on priority issues..."

6/ Brian H. Hook:

“...and the Lyubishin case is also a failure. (...) They (State Department) are forced to defend Hungary not only against Democrats but also against Republicans. What can they say when they are asked about the results?”

7/ "Mitchell 'subtly expressed doubts' about Hungary’s commitment to energy diversification(...). Hungary's gov't is discussing this issue with the U.S. only because it helps them 'establish a better negotiating position against Putin' while bargaining a gas deal with Russia."