Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ATHENS1413
2006-06-01 12:23:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Athens
Cable title:
GREEK FM WELCOMES U.S. STATEMENT ON IRAN, ISSUES
how-toVZCZCXRO4546 OO RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHTH #1413 1521223 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 011223Z JUN 06 FM AMEMBASSY ATHENS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5631 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L ATHENS 001413
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
FOR EUR, EUR/SE, NEA/IR
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/01/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV IR GR
SUBJECT: GREEK FM WELCOMES U.S. STATEMENT ON IRAN, ISSUES
HELPFUL RESPONSE
REF: STATE 87682
Classified By: AMB. CHARLES P. RIES FOR REASONS 1.4(B) AND (D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ATHENS 001413
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
FOR EUR, EUR/SE, NEA/IR
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/01/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV IR GR
SUBJECT: GREEK FM WELCOMES U.S. STATEMENT ON IRAN, ISSUES
HELPFUL RESPONSE
REF: STATE 87682
Classified By: AMB. CHARLES P. RIES FOR REASONS 1.4(B) AND (D)
1. (C) On May 31 Ambassador shared ref points with FM
Bakoyannis, who strongly supported the U.S. move to
participate in the EU-3 negotiations with Iran, if that
country fully and verifiably suspends its enrichment and
reprocessing activities. Subsequently, the FM issued a
statement of support (para 3). At a May 31 function, DCM
discussed the points with main opposition PASOK leader
Papandreou and PASOK "shadow FM" Papoutsis, who both welcomed
the move as well.
2. (U) Most major media carried Secretary Rice's statement
and FM Bakoyannis' response, calling the move a "change of
course" by the USG and generally portraying it in a positive
light. Left-of-center daily "Ethnos" claimed that the
governments of Switzerland and Greece "contributed greatly"
to the diplomatic efforts that led to this development. The
independent daily "Kathimerini" attributed to diplomatic
sources in Vienna the information that the USG agreed to this
scenario following an agreement by Russia and China to
support sanctions on Iran in case the negotiations end in
deadlock.
3. (U) Begin text of May 31 FM Bakoyannis response to U.S.
statement on Iran (as posted on the MFA website --
www.mfa.gr):
I would like to welcome today's announcement of the
Government of the United States of America regarding their
intention to participate in the initiative of European Union
member states aimed at finding a solution to the serious
problem of Iran's nuclear program.
This is an important and positive development which is in
accordance with our country's steadfast pursuit of a peaceful
solution of the matter through diplomatic means.
I would like to hope that Iran will examine this proposal for
dialogue with due attention and will respond in a
constructive manner.
End text.
RIES
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
FOR EUR, EUR/SE, NEA/IR
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/01/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV IR GR
SUBJECT: GREEK FM WELCOMES U.S. STATEMENT ON IRAN, ISSUES
HELPFUL RESPONSE
REF: STATE 87682
Classified By: AMB. CHARLES P. RIES FOR REASONS 1.4(B) AND (D)
1. (C) On May 31 Ambassador shared ref points with FM
Bakoyannis, who strongly supported the U.S. move to
participate in the EU-3 negotiations with Iran, if that
country fully and verifiably suspends its enrichment and
reprocessing activities. Subsequently, the FM issued a
statement of support (para 3). At a May 31 function, DCM
discussed the points with main opposition PASOK leader
Papandreou and PASOK "shadow FM" Papoutsis, who both welcomed
the move as well.
2. (U) Most major media carried Secretary Rice's statement
and FM Bakoyannis' response, calling the move a "change of
course" by the USG and generally portraying it in a positive
light. Left-of-center daily "Ethnos" claimed that the
governments of Switzerland and Greece "contributed greatly"
to the diplomatic efforts that led to this development. The
independent daily "Kathimerini" attributed to diplomatic
sources in Vienna the information that the USG agreed to this
scenario following an agreement by Russia and China to
support sanctions on Iran in case the negotiations end in
deadlock.
3. (U) Begin text of May 31 FM Bakoyannis response to U.S.
statement on Iran (as posted on the MFA website --
www.mfa.gr):
I would like to welcome today's announcement of the
Government of the United States of America regarding their
intention to participate in the initiative of European Union
member states aimed at finding a solution to the serious
problem of Iran's nuclear program.
This is an important and positive development which is in
accordance with our country's steadfast pursuit of a peaceful
solution of the matter through diplomatic means.
I would like to hope that Iran will examine this proposal for
dialogue with due attention and will respond in a
constructive manner.
End text.
RIES