Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ATHENS1908
2006-07-21 13:06:00
SECRET
Embassy Athens
Cable title:
GREECE AGREES UNSC ISRAEL/LEBANON STATEMENTS
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHTH #1908 2021306 ZNY SSSSS ZZH O 211306Z JUL 06 FM AMEMBASSY ATHENS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6219 INFO RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHLB/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT PRIORITY 0159 RUEHSL/AMEMBASSY BRATISLAVA PRIORITY 0018 RUEHCP/AMEMBASSY COPENHAGEN PRIORITY 0179 RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV PRIORITY 0543 RUEHJM/AMCONSUL JERUSALEM PRIORITY 0189 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0167
S E C R E T ATHENS 001908
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/21/2016
TAGS: PREL UNSC IS LE GR
SUBJECT: GREECE AGREES UNSC ISRAEL/LEBANON STATEMENTS
SHOULD HAVE BROADEST POSSIBLE CONSENSUS
REF: A. STATE 119441
B. ATHENS 1892
Classified By: CDA Jeff Olesen for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
S E C R E T ATHENS 001908
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/21/2016
TAGS: PREL UNSC IS LE GR
SUBJECT: GREECE AGREES UNSC ISRAEL/LEBANON STATEMENTS
SHOULD HAVE BROADEST POSSIBLE CONSENSUS
REF: A. STATE 119441
B. ATHENS 1892
Classified By: CDA Jeff Olesen for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (S) SUMMARY: MFA Secretary General Haralambos Rocanas
agreed with CDA on July 21 that all UNSC statements on
Lebanon/Israel should have the broadest possible consensus.
In that spirit, he read to us Greece's draft statement, which
he intended to pass shortly to the Greek delegation in NY.
Rocanas agreed to carefully review our points and the G8 text
for consistency with the Greek text, and agreed to "try to
include phraseology compatible with (the U.S.) request."
Finally, Rocanas asked that we share any information we had
on intentions of the U.S. or Israeli militaries in Lebanon.
END SUMMARY.
2. (S) CDA shared Ref A points with MFA Secretary General
Haralambos Rocanas on July 20. Rocanas read Greece's
statement (which he did not pass),and emphasized that the
statement recognizes Israel's right to defend itself, firmly
supports the position of the Quartet, supports the statement
of the UNSYG, and calls for implementation of the relevant
UNSCRs. We recognized that much of the draft Greek statement
was taken from Prime Minister Karamanlis' statement of July
19 (Ref B),which begins, "During the last few days in
Lebanon and Israel, the use of violence has harmed the
ultimate right of human life and human dignity, tested the
principles and values of the international community,
exhausted the limits of international legality and
international law, enlarged the problems and impasses, and
attacked the stability and peace of the region."
3. (S) When CDA emphasized that the statement must address
the underlying causes of the conflict and not call for an
unconditional ceasefire, Rocanas read us the portion of their
statement calling for "an immediate and unconditional release
of prisoners and immediate cessation of hostilities,"
explaining that Greece also does not accept calling for an
unconditional ceasefire -- rather that condition is the
release of the prisoners. CDA and Rocanas agreed that the
most important goal was a unified position in all statements.
With that in mind, Rocanas agreed to closely review our
points and the G8 statement.
4. (S) Rocanas mentioned that he would appreciate knowing of
any military plans, including Israel's plans for ongoing
military actions, as well as possible involvement by U.S.
forces, especially by forces from 5th Fleet. CDA told
Rocanas that the role of U.S. forces in Lebanon did not
extend beyond its humanitarian mission of assisting in the
safe evacuation of American citizens, and that he was unaware
of the Israeli military's next steps.
OLESEN
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/21/2016
TAGS: PREL UNSC IS LE GR
SUBJECT: GREECE AGREES UNSC ISRAEL/LEBANON STATEMENTS
SHOULD HAVE BROADEST POSSIBLE CONSENSUS
REF: A. STATE 119441
B. ATHENS 1892
Classified By: CDA Jeff Olesen for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (S) SUMMARY: MFA Secretary General Haralambos Rocanas
agreed with CDA on July 21 that all UNSC statements on
Lebanon/Israel should have the broadest possible consensus.
In that spirit, he read to us Greece's draft statement, which
he intended to pass shortly to the Greek delegation in NY.
Rocanas agreed to carefully review our points and the G8 text
for consistency with the Greek text, and agreed to "try to
include phraseology compatible with (the U.S.) request."
Finally, Rocanas asked that we share any information we had
on intentions of the U.S. or Israeli militaries in Lebanon.
END SUMMARY.
2. (S) CDA shared Ref A points with MFA Secretary General
Haralambos Rocanas on July 20. Rocanas read Greece's
statement (which he did not pass),and emphasized that the
statement recognizes Israel's right to defend itself, firmly
supports the position of the Quartet, supports the statement
of the UNSYG, and calls for implementation of the relevant
UNSCRs. We recognized that much of the draft Greek statement
was taken from Prime Minister Karamanlis' statement of July
19 (Ref B),which begins, "During the last few days in
Lebanon and Israel, the use of violence has harmed the
ultimate right of human life and human dignity, tested the
principles and values of the international community,
exhausted the limits of international legality and
international law, enlarged the problems and impasses, and
attacked the stability and peace of the region."
3. (S) When CDA emphasized that the statement must address
the underlying causes of the conflict and not call for an
unconditional ceasefire, Rocanas read us the portion of their
statement calling for "an immediate and unconditional release
of prisoners and immediate cessation of hostilities,"
explaining that Greece also does not accept calling for an
unconditional ceasefire -- rather that condition is the
release of the prisoners. CDA and Rocanas agreed that the
most important goal was a unified position in all statements.
With that in mind, Rocanas agreed to closely review our
points and the G8 statement.
4. (S) Rocanas mentioned that he would appreciate knowing of
any military plans, including Israel's plans for ongoing
military actions, as well as possible involvement by U.S.
forces, especially by forces from 5th Fleet. CDA told
Rocanas that the role of U.S. forces in Lebanon did not
extend beyond its humanitarian mission of assisting in the
safe evacuation of American citizens, and that he was unaware
of the Israeli military's next steps.
OLESEN