GREECE TO JOIN INTERNATIONAL WHALING COMMISSION

UNCLAS ATHENS 001127 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR JOHN FIELD OES E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EFIS SENV ECON GR SUBJECT: GREECE TO JOIN INTERNATIONAL WHALING COMMISSION (IWC) REF: STATE 30949 ¶1. (SBU) On April 28th, Ambassador received a call from Kostas Chalastanis, advisor to the Greek FM, who informed him that Greece would be joining the IWC. Chalastanis further indicated that the decision regarding membership would have to pass Greek Parliament prior to ratification; he did not provide a timetable for the action. ¶2. (SBU) Comment: Post will continue to monitor the GoG IWC membership status in the coming weeks and will ensure that the designated representative(s) are informed of the USG position regarding International Whaling. The ability of the GoG to have a voting member at the IWC June meeting is doubtful, given the parliamentary approval required by Greek law. End Comment. Ries