Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ATHENS1225
2007-06-14 13:47:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Athens
Cable title:
GREECE ON UPCOMING EU FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING
how-toVZCZCXRO5285 OO RUEHAG RUEHROV DE RUEHTH #1225 1651347 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 141347Z JUN 07 FM AMEMBASSY ATHENS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9447 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHAH/AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT PRIORITY 0084 RUEHTA/AMEMBASSY ASTANA PRIORITY 0006 RUEHEK/AMEMBASSY BISHKEK PRIORITY 0066 RUEHDBU/AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE PRIORITY RUEHKH/AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM PRIORITY 0016 RUEHNT/AMEMBASSY TASHKENT PRIORITY 0120 RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV PRIORITY 0589 RUEHJM/AMCONSUL JERUSALEM PRIORITY 0214 RUEHUB/USINT HAVANA PRIORITY 0008 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0220
C O N F I D E N T I A L ATHENS 001225
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/14/2017
TAGS: EUN ENRG ETRD ETTC KPAL PARM PGOV PREL SOCI
GR
SUBJECT: GREECE ON UPCOMING EU FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING
(GAERC)
REF: SECSTATE 80034
Classified By: D/POLCOUNS PAUL CARTER. REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ATHENS 001225
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/14/2017
TAGS: EUN ENRG ETRD ETTC KPAL PARM PGOV PREL SOCI
GR
SUBJECT: GREECE ON UPCOMING EU FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING
(GAERC)
REF: SECSTATE 80034
Classified By: D/POLCOUNS PAUL CARTER. REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).
1. (C) D/Polcouns delivered reftel demarche on the June 18-19
GAERC to MFA A11 European Cooperation correspondent Penny
Douti. Douti observed that the main issue for the GAERC was
expected to be institutional reform and, in particular, the
way forward in light of the constitutional treaty defeats in
French and Dutch referenda. Douti noted as well that a
discussion was expected on promoting a moratorium on the
death penalty, led by Italy.
2. (C) Douti had the following comments on substantive issues
of concern to the U.S.:
-- CUBA: Agreed conclusions would be adopted with little
discussion. Only the Czechs were expected to make a short
intervention. The compromise text (which she quoted at
length) was strong in condemning human rights violations in
Cuba but maintained the suspension of the 2003 restrictive
measures. The compromise text, thus, essentially maintained
the EU status quo. There would be a warning, however, that
if the Cubans did not respond positively, the EU would
re-assess its position in 2008.
-- EUROPEAN NEIGHBORHOOD POLICY: Douti had no information
that this issue would be on the agenda. Greece,
nevertheless, believed there needed to a be a consistent set
of principles applied in the east and in the south.
-- CENTRAL ASIA: Also not on the agenda, according to Douti,
but Greece agreed with the U.S. position.
-- SERBIA: Greece understood that prolongation of the Kosovo
independence process increased risks. But Greece believed
that more talking with the Serbs gave them time to prepare.
This, Douti noted, was the main point of Greek bilateral
discussions with the Serbs. While Greece believed further
negotiations were good, however, Greece did not want to see
Serbia "let off the ICTY hook."
-- MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS: Douti said there were agreed
conclusions, which were in line with previous EU statements
urging peace and condemning violence.
-- IRAN: Agreed conclusions were the same as earlier texts.
Greece agreed that if Solana's efforts were unsuccessful the
UNSC would need to take additional appropriate action to
pressure Iran.
-- SUDAN: Agreed conclusions would advocate sanctions, but
milder than those imposed by the U.S. Douti did not provide
examples of what such milder sanctions would entail. She
noted that France would offer proposals on humanitarian
relief.
-- MOLDOVA: Greece supported the U.S. proposal for an
international peace-keeping force to replace Russian
"peace-keepers" in Moldova.
COUNTRYMAN
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/14/2017
TAGS: EUN ENRG ETRD ETTC KPAL PARM PGOV PREL SOCI
GR
SUBJECT: GREECE ON UPCOMING EU FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING
(GAERC)
REF: SECSTATE 80034
Classified By: D/POLCOUNS PAUL CARTER. REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).
1. (C) D/Polcouns delivered reftel demarche on the June 18-19
GAERC to MFA A11 European Cooperation correspondent Penny
Douti. Douti observed that the main issue for the GAERC was
expected to be institutional reform and, in particular, the
way forward in light of the constitutional treaty defeats in
French and Dutch referenda. Douti noted as well that a
discussion was expected on promoting a moratorium on the
death penalty, led by Italy.
2. (C) Douti had the following comments on substantive issues
of concern to the U.S.:
-- CUBA: Agreed conclusions would be adopted with little
discussion. Only the Czechs were expected to make a short
intervention. The compromise text (which she quoted at
length) was strong in condemning human rights violations in
Cuba but maintained the suspension of the 2003 restrictive
measures. The compromise text, thus, essentially maintained
the EU status quo. There would be a warning, however, that
if the Cubans did not respond positively, the EU would
re-assess its position in 2008.
-- EUROPEAN NEIGHBORHOOD POLICY: Douti had no information
that this issue would be on the agenda. Greece,
nevertheless, believed there needed to a be a consistent set
of principles applied in the east and in the south.
-- CENTRAL ASIA: Also not on the agenda, according to Douti,
but Greece agreed with the U.S. position.
-- SERBIA: Greece understood that prolongation of the Kosovo
independence process increased risks. But Greece believed
that more talking with the Serbs gave them time to prepare.
This, Douti noted, was the main point of Greek bilateral
discussions with the Serbs. While Greece believed further
negotiations were good, however, Greece did not want to see
Serbia "let off the ICTY hook."
-- MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS: Douti said there were agreed
conclusions, which were in line with previous EU statements
urging peace and condemning violence.
-- IRAN: Agreed conclusions were the same as earlier texts.
Greece agreed that if Solana's efforts were unsuccessful the
UNSC would need to take additional appropriate action to
pressure Iran.
-- SUDAN: Agreed conclusions would advocate sanctions, but
milder than those imposed by the U.S. Douti did not provide
examples of what such milder sanctions would entail. She
noted that France would offer proposals on humanitarian
relief.
-- MOLDOVA: Greece supported the U.S. proposal for an
international peace-keeping force to replace Russian
"peace-keepers" in Moldova.
COUNTRYMAN