Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ATHENS2133
2007-10-30 12:05:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Athens
Cable title:
GREECE STICKS TO EU LINE ON CUBA
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHTH #2133 3031205 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 301205Z OCT 07 FM AMEMBASSY ATHENS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0615 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY 0250 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0268 RUEHUB/USINT HAVANA PRIORITY 0012
C O N F I D E N T I A L ATHENS 002133
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/30/2017
TAGS: PHUM CU UNGA GR PREL
SUBJECT: GREECE STICKS TO EU LINE ON CUBA
REF: A. SECSTATE 147620
B. SECSTATE 148506
Classified By: POLCOUNS ROBIN QUINVILLE. REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ATHENS 002133
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/30/2017
TAGS: PHUM CU UNGA GR PREL
SUBJECT: GREECE STICKS TO EU LINE ON CUBA
REF: A. SECSTATE 147620
B. SECSTATE 148506
Classified By: POLCOUNS ROBIN QUINVILLE. REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).
1. (C) DepPolCouns delivered ref a and b points on,
respectively, human rights actionQ
embargo resolution toRallis, deputy
directorate for International
OQatzourou, European corre0 Directorate for the Ehd
Security, and Chricounsellor of the
MFA A8 Latin AMERICA Directorate. On the UN embargo
resolution, Maniakis-Grivas said that, as in the past, Greece
would abide by the common EU position and vote for the
embargo resolution. Rallis explained that while Greece sided
with the U.S. "on 99 percent of its UN votes," on this issue
Greece would vote with the EU.
2. (C) With regard to the proposals for joint U.S.-EU action
on human rights issues in Cuba, Maniakis-Grivas again said
Greece would abide by the common EU position, whatever that
turned out to be. When pushed repeatedly on whether Greece
would advocate for the U.S. proposals or, at least, speak
positively about the U.S. proposals in internal EU
deliberations, Maniakis-Grivas awkwardly replied that Greece
was awaiting EU reaction from Brussels. While he argued that
Greece's "reputation on human rights issues was well-known,"
he was "unable to say anything now" on the issue. He did
note, however, Greek support last year for Australia's
amendment to the annual embargo resolution saying the embargo
was motivated by valid concerns about human rights in Cuba.
This, Maniakis-Grivas argued, should be taken as a "good
sign" about how Greece saw the issue.
COUNTRYMAN
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/30/2017
TAGS: PHUM CU UNGA GR PREL
SUBJECT: GREECE STICKS TO EU LINE ON CUBA
REF: A. SECSTATE 147620
B. SECSTATE 148506
Classified By: POLCOUNS ROBIN QUINVILLE. REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).
1. (C) DepPolCouns delivered ref a and b points on,
respectively, human rights actionQ
embargo resolution toRallis, deputy
directorate for International
OQatzourou, European corre0 Directorate for the Ehd
Security, and Chricounsellor of the
MFA A8 Latin AMERICA Directorate. On the UN embargo
resolution, Maniakis-Grivas said that, as in the past, Greece
would abide by the common EU position and vote for the
embargo resolution. Rallis explained that while Greece sided
with the U.S. "on 99 percent of its UN votes," on this issue
Greece would vote with the EU.
2. (C) With regard to the proposals for joint U.S.-EU action
on human rights issues in Cuba, Maniakis-Grivas again said
Greece would abide by the common EU position, whatever that
turned out to be. When pushed repeatedly on whether Greece
would advocate for the U.S. proposals or, at least, speak
positively about the U.S. proposals in internal EU
deliberations, Maniakis-Grivas awkwardly replied that Greece
was awaiting EU reaction from Brussels. While he argued that
Greece's "reputation on human rights issues was well-known,"
he was "unable to say anything now" on the issue. He did
note, however, Greek support last year for Australia's
amendment to the annual embargo resolution saying the embargo
was motivated by valid concerns about human rights in Cuba.
This, Maniakis-Grivas argued, should be taken as a "good
sign" about how Greece saw the issue.
COUNTRYMAN