[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 23 (Thursday, March 3, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E348]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HUNGARIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO COALITION EFFORTS IN IRAQ

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                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 3, 2005

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share with my colleagues an 
excellent letter that I recently received from his Excellency Andras 
Simonyi, Ambassador of Hungary to the United States, which provides 
specific detail of his country's support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. 
Hungary has been particularly supportive of U.S. military efforts in 
Iraq in implementing training programs for Iraqis and donating millions 
of dollars in necessary supplies. Such efforts have furthered U.S. 
objectives in Iraq, and contributed to efforts to bring peace and 
stability to the region.
  Hungary was among the first countries to support Coalition efforts in 
Iraq, including the training of Free Iraqi Forces (FIF) in Taszar, 
Hungary in Fall 2002 and the deployment of a transportation battalion 
of 300 troops to Iraq.
  More recently, the Hungarian Government has decided to send 165 
troops to the NATO Training and Implementation Mission in Iraq and 
donate 77 T72 tanks to the Iraqi army. These actions represent the 
broader goal of the Hungarian Government to support American efforts in 
Iraq. I urge all my colleagues to read this excellent and informative 
letter written from Ambassador Simonyi.
  Mr. Speaker, I also want to pay tribute to my dear friend Andras 
Simonyi. He has been an outstanding representative of Hungary in the 
United States and has personally made an important contribution to the 
relations between our two countries.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the letter of Ambassador 
Simonyi be placed in the Record, and I urge my colleagues to read it.


                                    The Ambassador of Hungary,

                                        Washington, March 1, 2005.
     Hon. Tom Lantos,
     Rayburn House Office Building,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Congressman Lantos: As I am sure that you might be 
     interested, allow me summarize for you to the extent possible 
     Hungary's contribution to the Iraqi stabilization process so 
     far. As you well know, Hungary was among the first to support 
     Coalition efforts in Iraq, including by training the Free 
     Iraqi Forces (FIP) in Taszar, Hungary in Fall 2002 and by 
     deploying a 300-strong transportation battalion to Iraq who 
     served in Al-Hillah. Recently the Hungarian Government 
     decided to send 165 troops to the NATO Training and 
     Implementation Mission in Iraq. Hungary donated 77 T72 tanks 
     to the Iraqi Army. 14 high ranking officers are in Iraq to 
     train Iraqi officers in command and control.
       In March 2004 the Hungarian Government sent an aid supply 
     of medical equipment to Basra, total value of appx. 
     300,000.00 USD.
       Donation of 80 cardio-equipment to the Iraqi Ministry of 
     Health in March 2004 for a total value of 1,000,000.00 USD 
     and a training program for experts in 2005.
       In October 2004 training of 20 experts in drink-water 
     purification, waste-water and waste management.
       Training program for the Iraqi Police for 2004-2005 for a 
     value of 500,000.00 USD.
       Training program for 25 Iraqi diplomats starting from March 
     2005 at Corvinus University.
       Training program for Iraqi conductors starting from the 
     first quarter of 2005 to form experts in the well-known 
     Hungarian method to help the development of handicapped 
     children.
       Training program for 20 civil servants in Hungary for a 
     period of 10 days in the field of privatization, small 
     business promotion, and banking system in the first quarter 
     of 2005.
       50 day training program in Hungary for 20 Iraqi experts in 
     the field of fresh-water fish-breeding.
       Four-week training program for 10 Iraqi veterinaries in 
     Hungary starting in the first semester of 2005.
       Water management training for 10 Iraqi expert starting from 
     the first semester of 2005.
       Financial aid for the Iraqi elections.
           Sincerely yours,
                                                   Andras Simonyi.




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