GOG ASKING FOR INTERIM SECRETARIAT FOR IGF;

C O N F I D E N T I A L ATHENS 000426 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR IO/T AND EB/CIP USUN FOR MALLEY E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/14/2016 TAGS: ECON ECPS GR SUBJECT: GOG ASKING FOR INTERIM SECRETARIAT FOR IGF; DECISION ON A PERMANENT SECRETARIAT CAN WAIT REF: A. STATE 14452 ¶B. ATHENS 358 ¶C. STATE 21556 Classified By: AMB Charles P. Ries for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (U) This is an action request. Please see para 6. ¶2. (U) Summary: Greek Minister of Communication Liapis informed Ambassador that Greece is requesting U.S. support in getting the U.N. to establish an interim secretariat for the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) that will be able to answer questions about, and make decisions related to, October's inaugural IGF meeting in Athens. Although Liapis acknowledged that the GoG would like to host the IGF permanent secretariat in Greece, he kept the focus on the GoG need for a body -- located anywhere, but most likely Geneva -- to help coordinate the planning for October. End Summary. ¶3. (U) Ambassador met with GoG Minister of Communication Liapis on February 13 to discuss the IGF secretariat per reftels b and c. Rather than asking in detail about USG support for Athens to host the permanent IGF secretariat, however, Liapis focused on the need for an interim secretariat that can help prepare for the inaugural session, SIPDIS now tentatively scheduled for October 24th to the 26th. Liapis asked for USG support in getting this interim group established. ¶4. (U) Liapis indicated the GoG did not have ironclad opinions on the shape of the interim group, but thought that it should include UNSYG Aide Markus Kumar or ITU Secretariat official Charles Geiger, a couple of Greeks seconded from the GoG, and 3-4 private business and/or social sector representatives. Another option was for Kumar or Geiger to participate, plus five geographical representatives, and at least one private sector rep. ¶5. (SBU) When asked, Liapis indicated that the GoG was interested in having the IGF be held under the U.N. umbrella but not be considered an official U.N. meeting because of the bureaucratic difficulties and expenses. He stressed the importance of bringing in private sector interests and participation, but said that the GoG is not considering a full-blown commercial exhibition to be held in conjunction with the IGF (because of the financial risks). Instead the GoG is considering a sideline exhibition limited to sponsors of the Forum only. He also noted that the GoG has begun preparations for the Forum, reserving 1500 hotel rooms and booking two conference venues. ¶6. (C) Comment: The request delivered by Liapis differed from the request made at the time the Ambassador was asked to call upon him, indicating that the GoG had a realistic view of how their request would be received. When Ambassador delivered reftel c talking points, Liapis did not seem overly surprised but minimized the issue, choosing to focus on the interim secretariat and suggesting that the issue of the location of the permanent secretariat could wait until later. This nonchalance was in stark contrast to last week's nervousness when GoG interlocutors stressed that Liapis needed a USG response on support for the Greek position before this weeks informal IGF discussions in Geneva. It appears that this is a tactical retreat, however, not a capitulation, and the GoG is likely to continue to try and obtain support. The GoG request for an interim secretariat is well-taken, however. Greece reasonably wants the Athens meeting to be a success and is worried about the slow start in preparations and lack of clear vision of the event. The GoG request for our support provides us the opportunity to influence the shape of such a committee with an eye towards helping shape the IGF agenda. End Comment. RIES