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