Position of Fidesz on the Appointment of Sándor Laborc as Director-General of the National Security Office

Created: 19th December, 2007 16:18 | Last updated: 19th December, 2007 16:21	print	send

The appointment of formerly KGB-trained Sandor Laborc to head the National Security Office goes against the very interests of Hungary by compromising trust in the country within NATO. The decision of Ferenc Gyurcsány utterly neglects the basic rules of parliamentary democracy, as it has been unprecedented over the course of seventeen years that an appointment has been made against the dismissive decision by the Committee on National Security of the Parliament.

According to the position of Fidesz Sándor Laborc is unsuitable for this position not only from a professional but also from a political and a moral point of view. The decision of Ferenc Gyurcsány has only one possible explanation, namely the dubious commitment towards Russia and its president Vladimir Putin, the signs of which could be seen on numerous other occasions in various aspects. Moreover, this decision is especially risky at such a period when one of NATO's priority is protection against increasing activities of Russian intelligence services.

Next year, Hungary will chair the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation's Special Committee, which will enable Hungary to coordinate and enhance cooperation among intelligence services of member states of the Alliance. The key to substantive and successful cooperation in the fields of fight against terrorism, counter-espionage and economic security is however confidence which will be completely annulled by the appointment of Sándor Laborc.

Ferenc Gyurcsány uses intelligence services as political tools at his own pleasure. After Laborc's appointment everyone seeming critical to the actual power within the socialist party or outside has good reasons to fear that non public, secret intelligence methods will also be used against him or her, besides the administrative methods already known to the public.

Parliamentary control over intelligence activities has become impossible because of this appointment that neglects parliamentary democracy. As a protest against this situation, MPs of Fidesz and the Christian Democratic People's Party will not participate in the future on the sessions of the Committee on National Security of the Parliament, the role of which has been rendered irrelevant by the appointment.

The following is the letter sent by MP István Simicskó to Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány on 28th November, 2007.

Dear Mr Prime Minister,

At its hearing, the National Security Committee of the Hungarian Parliament listened to Brigadier General Sándor Laborc, nominated to the position of director general of the National Security Office by Mr György Szilvásy, the Minister supervising the national security services.

Please allow me to inform you that the National Security Committee, which fulfilled its commitment under law, took the position that Mr Sándor Laborc is unfit to hold the post mentioned above.

Having regard to the fact that, according to press reports, Minister Szilvásy wishes to reaffirm the nomination despite the Committee's ruling, I feel that it is my official duty to call your attention, Mr Prime Minister, to the threats that this appointment may pose to Hungary's legal fundaments, international standing and internal security.

Taking into account the special nature and functions of the national security services, there are only limited tools at hand for supervising their activities, even in a democratic framework. One of the most important institutionalised way of this supervision is parliamentary oversight of the national security services, a function carried out by the Parliament by way of its National Security Committee. This is why the special commitments of this Committee are regulated by a two-thirds majority law in Parliament. This law, Act CXXV of 1995 also prescribes that the persons nominated for the post of director general are listened to at an official hearing by the National Security Committee, which also takes a position on their suitability.

I am convinced that ignoring the decision of the Committee in such an important issue may result in the Hungarian public losing confidence in the controlling function of the democratic institutions of the state and in their belief that the different bodies of government are ready at all times to subject themselves to it.

Having in mind the commitments made by Hungary under international treaties, her role in the Euro-Atlantic political, economic and defence community, it is difficult to estimate the impact of the above mentioned decision on Hungary's international standing. In 2008, Hungary will hold the position of chairman in NATO's Special Committee, which provides us with the opportunity of coordinating the activities of allied partner services. Mr Prime Minister, you are also well aware of the fact that the key to a successful and genuine cooperation, let it be in the field of combating terrorism, countering espionage and ensuring security in our economy, is trust. And this can only be established with long years of persistent work, which may be heavily damaged by some, or even a single wrong decision.

Having in mind the number of years Mr Sándor Laborc had spent at the Dzerdzhynsky Academy, the former KGB elite school, we must declare that his appointment could have major consequences in our relationship with our allies, and may cause difficulties in pursuing Hungary's foreign- and security policy goals.

Mr Prime Minister, I would like to request you once again, in the interest of the country, to consider the above detailed facts, and to forbear to appoint Mr Sándor Laborc as Director General.

Sincerely yours,



Dr István Simicskó,
Chairman
National Security Committee

The following is the letter sent by PM Ferenc Gyurcsány to István Simicskó on the 17th December, upon replying to the opposition MP's letter.

Dear Mr. Chairman,

Thank you for your letter concerning the appointment of the Director General of the National Security Office, which I have duly received.

I would like to inform you, Mr Chairman that the prescribed national security screening process with regards to of the nominee of the Director General has meanwhile come to an end. During this process, no national security risk has emerged, and with the suggestion of the Minister responsible for the secret services, and after the parliamentary hearing, I have today appointed Brigadier General Sándor Laborc to be Director General of the National Security Office.

I would like to ask you to promote, as the Chairman of the Committee, the cooperation between the new Director General and the National Security Committee, in the interest and priority of the national security of the Republic of Hungary.

Sincerely yours,

Ferenc Gyurcsány