GREECE SUPPORTS BURMA DISCUSSION IN UNSC

C O N F I D E N T I A L ATHENS 002793 SIPDIS EUR FOR SE, EAP/MLS ALEX BARRASSO, IO/UNP ROBIN MEYER E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/01/2014 TAGS: PREL BM PGOV PHUM PREL GR UNSC SUBJECT: GREECE SUPPORTS BURMA DISCUSSION IN UNSC REF: STATE 195514 Classified By: PolCouns Karen Decker. Reasons 1.4(b/d). (C) Greek MFA Director for IO Affairs Frangiskos Verros confirmed to PolCouns November 2 that Greece would now support reftel briefing initiative to bring the situation in Burma to the attention of Security Council members. Greece's former hesitancy sprang, he claimed, from Greece's reluctance to support a course of action that was known to be opposed by one of the Perm 5 (in this case, China). However, he went on, after repeated discussions with Embassy (and the fact that other European members of the UNSC were now on board), he had recommended to Greek Foreign Minister Molyviatis that Greece join this group and the Foreign Minister agreed. RIES