GREEK PM CALLS FOR CEASEFIRE IN LEBANON/ISRAEL

UNCLAS ATHENS 001892

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL MARR PINS GR
SUBJECT: GREEK PM CALLS FOR CEASEFIRE IN LEBANON/ISRAEL

REF: ATHENS 1842

This message is sensitive but unclassified, please handle
accordingly.


1. (U) SUMMARY: The Greek Prime Minister on July 19 called
for an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon and Israel, the
unconditional release of all captive soldiers, the
disarmament of paramilitary organizations, and assistance to
civilians in the region. On July 18, the Foreign Minister
also called for a ceasefire. Protests in front of the U.S.
and Israeli embassies are growing larger each day, with
1000-1200 demonstrators expected on July 20. END SUMMARY.

PM CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE, CONDEMNS VIOLENCE
-------------- --------------

2. (U) In July 19 press conference, Greek PM Costas
Karamanlis called for an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon and
Israel. He stressed, "this violence -- all violence -- is
not distinguished good or bad. We condemn it completely,
without hesitation, and categorically." Calling for six
specific actions, he emphasized, "the reaction of the
international community, as it is expressed through the UN,
must be explicit:

--Immediate ceasefire.
--Immediate and unconditional release of captive soldiers.
--Immediate disarmament of paramilitary organizations.
--Full and speedy restoration of the sovereignty of the
Lebanese Government throughout Lebanese 4e2RiQo29.Q
--Protection to noncombatan4s wh) siSh t/ depaRt the areas of
the c2i3iq&Q
-%I&t%Rb!ti%fal assistance for the co6er!g% gb huea.i4!rian
needs."


3. (U) Th% PM !dded Qha4 CReece is ready to actir%l9 a*$Q
sQb3Ta&Tial$y contribute to the "fe!e3Qa2I !ctik&Q" o& The
international come5fit9, 3)t( t(e 1cle objectives being the
quick defusing of the dangerous crisis, and the restoration
of peace in the region. He continued, "In the last few days
in Lebanon and Israel, the use of violence has struck the
highest rights -- human life and human dignity." He said
that the violence is testing the conscience, principles and
values of the international community, exhausting the limits
of international legality and international law, enlarging
the problems and impasses, and attacking the stability and
peace of the region.

FM CALLS FOR CEASEFIRE
--------------

4. (U) FM Dora Bakoyannis on July 18 called for the crisis
to be "controlled soon." She said, "the deterioration of the
situation in Lebanon, with the abductions of Israeli
soldiers, the excessive escalation of military operations and
the continuous Hizballah activity, hurts civilians and their
infrastructure on both sides. Human life has exactly the
same value in Haifa as in Beirut." Bakoyannis stressed that
she wants a "clearer" message from the EU on an immediate
ceasefire, but was interested in safeguarding unity in both
the EU and UN.

MORE PROTESTS AND PROTESTERS AT US AND ISRAELI EMBASSIES
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5. (SBU) There have been a series of peaceful demonstrations
over the past week at the US and Israeli embassies.
Attendance has steadily risen from approximately 200
protesters gathering last week (reftel) to an expected
1000-1200 July 20. Another demonstration is planned for July

25. The Hellenic National Police (HNP) have provided
anti-riot buses in front of the embassy, and anti-riot police
officers on foot have escorted protesters along the route.
So far, no damage or injuries have been reported in any of
the protests.


6. (SBU) COMMENT: While the GoG statements reflect the July
17 "Conclusions on the Middle East" of the EU External
Relations Council, the FM made it clear that she is looking
for an even clearer statement from the international
community for an immediate ceasefire. It is not surprising
that protests at the embassy are growing steadily larger,
since press reports in Greece hardly mention Hizballah's
actions and focusing instead on "atrocities" committed by
Israel. We expect the GoG to continue to openly share their
positions both with the press and with us, and expect the GoG
to continue unequivocal calls for a cessation to all attacks.
RIES