Commenting on Andre Goodfriend, charge d’affaires at the US embassy in Budapest who recently attended an anti-government demonstration, Melia said the US watched developments in Hungary with great interest and it was Goodfriend’s job to observe events personally and talk to people, pro- and anti-government alike.

Melia said the diplomat is highly regarded in Washington and his work meets the expectations of the US government. Melia voiced hope that Colleen Bell, US President Barack Obama’s candidate for ambassador to Hungary, would soon obtain the Senate’s approval and join Goodfriend at the US embassy in Budapest.

Concerning the US entry ban of six Hungarian officials, Melia said that the aim of the move was to let them know that they were personae non grata as well as to draw public attention to the problem of corruption.

Accordingly, the government should launch investigations into cases of graft, Melia said. Melia said he would be glad to meet Prime Minister Viktor Orbán either in Budapest or elsewhere but preparatory talks had not been initiated.

Source www.hungarymatters.hu

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