GREECE TO SUPPORT DELAY ON QATAR'S UNSC RESOLUTION

S E C R E T ATHENS 001806 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/13/2013 TAGS: PREL ISKPAL KWBG GR UNSC SUBJECT: GREECE TO SUPPORT DELAY ON QATAR'S UNSC RESOLUTION REF: STATE 114594 Classified By: Ambassador Charles P. Ries for reasons 1.4 (b) & (d). ¶1. (S) In the absence from Athens of Foreign Minister Bakoyannis (her son is being married this weekend), Ambassador raised reftel points with MFA Secretary General Harlambos Rocanas at OOB Athens time July 13. Rocanas grasped the significance of the resolution and the necessity of the broadest possible consensus. He said the absence of mention of the Israeli soldiers hostage taking "makes no sense." He understood the possible ramifications of disunity on this resolution for parallel UNSCR formulation processes on DPRK missile tests and Iran. He undertook to consult the Minister to secure her approval of an instruction to GRUN. ¶2. (S) Sec Gen Rocanas later called back (at 1110 local time) to report that he had consulted Minister Bakoyannis, who agrees that "it would be appropriate in this case to continue discussions to ensure any resolution adopted is accepted by all parties." He said he will be sending instructions immediately to GRUN to support delay in the vote. RIES