GREECE ON UPCOMING EU FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING

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