Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ATHENS2046
2007-10-12 15:15:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Athens
Cable title:
GREEK POSITIONS IN ADVANCE OF OCTOBER 15-16 GAERC
how-toVZCZCXYZ0004 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHTH #2046 2851515 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 121515Z OCT 07 FM AMEMBASSY ATHENS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0515 INFO RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L ATHENS 002046
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/12/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV ETRD ETTC KPAL IS GR
SUBJECT: GREEK POSITIONS IN ADVANCE OF OCTOBER 15-16 GAERC
REF: A. SECSTATE 141316
B. SECSTATE 143223
Classified By: A/POLCOUNS PAUL CARTER. REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ATHENS 002046
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/12/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV ETRD ETTC KPAL IS GR
SUBJECT: GREEK POSITIONS IN ADVANCE OF OCTOBER 15-16 GAERC
REF: A. SECSTATE 141316
B. SECSTATE 143223
Classified By: A/POLCOUNS PAUL CARTER. REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).
1. (C) Acting Political Counselor discussed ref a points on
U.S. positions with regard to the October 15-16 GAERC with
MFA A11 Directorate for EU Common Foreign and Security Policy
Correspondent Penny Douti. A/PolCouns also discussed ref a
Iran points with A6 Directorate for Arab and Middle Eastern
Countries Deputy Director Giorgos Ayfantis. Charge was
scheduled to discuss ref b Iran points with MFA Secretary
General Agathokles later today.
2. (C) Greek responses below are keyed to demarche subjects:
WTO/DDA: Douti had no substantive comment.
KOSOVO: Greece supported the work of the Troika but preferred
not to discuss plan-B scenarios at this point. According to
Douti, Greece believed that any speculation on what would
happen if negotiations were unsuccessful hurt the
negotiations, which must be given every opportunity for
success. Moreover, Greece believed that any final solution
needed to be legalized through a new UN resolution. Existing
resolutions would not be sufficient.
RUSSIA: Greece, along with other EU member states, shared
U.S. concerns about Russia's retreat from democracy.
Currently, the EU was consumed by preparations for the
October 26 EU-Russia summit. Most important was reaching a
new partnership agreement with Russia. On-going disputes
between Russia and Poland over Polish meat remained an
obstacle, however, and everyone recognized that this was a
cover for Russia's political displeasure with the Poles.
LIBYA: Greece shared the U.S. position.
ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN PEACE PROCESS: Greece supported Blair's
and other efforts leading toward aeece
has contributed 14.5 million euro to Iraq reconstruction and
humanitarian projects through the UN and bilaterally. END
NOTE.
IRAN: Douti and A6 Deputy Head Ayfantis both stressed
Greece's support for a united front on the Iran issue. It
was important to show solidarity. Greece might also endorse
the French proposal for sanctions parallel to the UNSC
process. A discussion, however, was necessary on any
sanctions to determine what exactly they would target and
what their effect would be. Sanctions for the sake of
showing solidarity were unhelpful if they hardened Iran's
position. Greece did not wish to offend Kouchner but needed
solid answers.
SYRIA-LEBANON BORDER: Greece agreed with U.S. position.
CHAD: Greece agreed with U.S. position.
BURMA: The EU had already arrived at agreed conclusions and
would discuss sanctions.
COUNTRYMAN
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/12/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV ETRD ETTC KPAL IS GR
SUBJECT: GREEK POSITIONS IN ADVANCE OF OCTOBER 15-16 GAERC
REF: A. SECSTATE 141316
B. SECSTATE 143223
Classified By: A/POLCOUNS PAUL CARTER. REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).
1. (C) Acting Political Counselor discussed ref a points on
U.S. positions with regard to the October 15-16 GAERC with
MFA A11 Directorate for EU Common Foreign and Security Policy
Correspondent Penny Douti. A/PolCouns also discussed ref a
Iran points with A6 Directorate for Arab and Middle Eastern
Countries Deputy Director Giorgos Ayfantis. Charge was
scheduled to discuss ref b Iran points with MFA Secretary
General Agathokles later today.
2. (C) Greek responses below are keyed to demarche subjects:
WTO/DDA: Douti had no substantive comment.
KOSOVO: Greece supported the work of the Troika but preferred
not to discuss plan-B scenarios at this point. According to
Douti, Greece believed that any speculation on what would
happen if negotiations were unsuccessful hurt the
negotiations, which must be given every opportunity for
success. Moreover, Greece believed that any final solution
needed to be legalized through a new UN resolution. Existing
resolutions would not be sufficient.
RUSSIA: Greece, along with other EU member states, shared
U.S. concerns about Russia's retreat from democracy.
Currently, the EU was consumed by preparations for the
October 26 EU-Russia summit. Most important was reaching a
new partnership agreement with Russia. On-going disputes
between Russia and Poland over Polish meat remained an
obstacle, however, and everyone recognized that this was a
cover for Russia's political displeasure with the Poles.
LIBYA: Greece shared the U.S. position.
ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN PEACE PROCESS: Greece supported Blair's
and other efforts leading toward aeece
has contributed 14.5 million euro to Iraq reconstruction and
humanitarian projects through the UN and bilaterally. END
NOTE.
IRAN: Douti and A6 Deputy Head Ayfantis both stressed
Greece's support for a united front on the Iran issue. It
was important to show solidarity. Greece might also endorse
the French proposal for sanctions parallel to the UNSC
process. A discussion, however, was necessary on any
sanctions to determine what exactly they would target and
what their effect would be. Sanctions for the sake of
showing solidarity were unhelpful if they hardened Iran's
position. Greece did not wish to offend Kouchner but needed
solid answers.
SYRIA-LEBANON BORDER: Greece agreed with U.S. position.
CHAD: Greece agreed with U.S. position.
BURMA: The EU had already arrived at agreed conclusions and
would discuss sanctions.
COUNTRYMAN