TGI GAS PIPELINE INAUGURATION: GREEK EDITORIALISTS WORRY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ATHENS 002313 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ENRG KPAO GR TU IT SUBJECT: TGI GAS PIPELINE INAUGURATION: GREEK EDITORIALISTS WORRY ABOUT US-RUSSIA RIVALRY ¶1. (SBU) Summary and Comment: The US presence at the November 18 inauguration ceremony of the Turkey-Greece-Italy natural gas inter-connector and Energy Secretary Bodman's meetings in Athens the next day were very visible in the Greek media. International press coverage from the Athens-based wire services was largely positive, emphasizing the cooperative nature of the initiative, and Greek broadcast media covered the event fairly. In print, several Greek newspapers reprinted the Secretary's speech and used quotes from his Alexandroupolis airport press availability on the day of the ceremony to explain the economic benefits of the venture, notably in the financial press. ¶2. (SBU) Virtually all local newspaper analysis and editorial comment, however, cast the visit as U.S. pressure on Greece to distance itself from Russia, reflecting deep-seated worries that this small country may find itself caught up in a new "Cold War" over at a time when it is being called upon to make politically difficult choices in the Balkans. Several outlets cited perceived US or Greek protocolary lapses to support this thesis. High-level Greek officials from Development Minister Folias to President of Parliament Sioufas to chief Spokesman Roussopoulos made a number of public statements aimed at neutralizing such anxiety on November 19, but in subsequent days, at least some official sources seem to have privately expressed the same kind of discomfort to journalists on background. Representative excerpts follow. Post will send a complete set of newspaper clippings via pouch. End Summary and Comment. Initial Coverage: Mostly Factual, but Fearful ¶3. (U) Broadcast media coverage of the ceremony was handled by state-owned ERT, and was straightword. In print, among general interest dailies, pro-government, mid-market Apogevmatini carried an inside 11/21 story headlined: "Positive Reaction by Americans to Greek Turkish Pipeline." In contrast, top-circulation center-left Ta Nea wrote that Greece is "Caught in the Energy War between Washington and Moscow." Accrding to "sources," the paper added, "the presnce of Americans" at the inauguration of the TGI was "the U.S. retaliation for the Greek-Russian agreement on the Bourgas-Alexandroupolis project." Left-of-center Eleftherotypia assessed that the Greek government was trying to tell the public that it had an independent energy policy to lessen the negative impressions from America trying to steal the show at Alexandroupolis. This paper added that in his remarks to ALPHA radio on 11/19, Folias "discreetly" relayed the Greek government's dissatisfaction with Bodman by saying: "I don't know what diplomatic protocol provides for, but we should remember he himself asked to make an address and so his presence was not a key presence." ¶4. (U) In the Greek financial press, coverage was more factual. Leading economic daily Express, which had a reporter at Secretary Bodman's availability, headlined on 11/20: "U.S., Russia Fight on Greek Soil over Natural Gas Networks at [TGI] Pipeline Inauguration Sunday." The paper wrote that: "The strict recommendation of the U.S. to fill the pipeline with gas from Caspian countries and not Russia was made both during the ceremony where Mr. Bodman stated that the gas must come from Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, or Kazakhstan in order to prevent the EU's dependence on Russia, as well as during his meetings with Development and Economy Ministers Folias and Alogoskoufis ... " Finally, on 11/19 financial daily Naftemboriki, which appears with excerpts fromrotocolary Lapses ¶5. (U) Among the later commentaries, on 11/26 influential independent Kathimerini said in a prominent piece by senior analyst Tom Ellis, available in English at www.ekathimerini.com: "Greece is trying to reconcile its political and defense commitments to the USA with the cooperation it is pursuing with Russia in the energy sector ... Athens is trying to make use of its gradual entry into Eurasia's energy sector for the obvious economic and geopolitical benefits, but while doing so must create an equilibrium between the superpower's priorities and demands on the one hand and pressure from the emerging Russian energy giant on the other. An initial reading of the factors at play would put Greece, a member of the European Union and NATO, in the Western camp. From many aspects, that is where it belongs. However, the reality in the energy sector complicates the situation. ATHENS 00002313 002 OF 002 ¶6. (U) The commntary continues: "Meanwhile, the USA's often clumsy interventions, even when they are supporting proposals that are clearly both of economic and political benefit, such as the need to diversify energy sources, are a source of aggravation and sometimes result in opposition ... With its sights trained on deepening cooperation with Moscow and perhaps in a display of bitterness of over the USA's failure to support Athens in its dispute with Skopje, the prime minister's office made an effort to downplay the presence at the ceremony of US Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman, who had worked with the Foreign Ministry's bureau regarding the visit. The Americans, with Ankara's keen backing, presented themselves at the ceremony for the purpose of emphasizing - chiefly for Russia's benefit - their supremacy in the region stretching from Azerbaijan, across Georgia to Turkey and Greece. Bodman, who had visited Ankara, wanted to meet with Karamanlis but had not scheduled a meeting ahead of time. It was no coincidence that the Greek prime minister chose not to introduce Bodman (Development Minister Christos Folias was forced to avoid mentioning names, welcoming only "all the distinguished energy ministers"). The government made a concerted effort not to include the U.S. official in the official photograph, as the leaders of Greece, Turkey and Azerbaijan pushed the button that activated the gas flow to Greece. ¶7. (U) It concludes: "Greece was annoyed that there had been no prior arrangements; this resulted in absurd situations, such as disagreements over where Bodman was to sit. Similarly, a distinguished Greek diplomat called discreet attention to the haste shown by new US Ambassador in Athens Daniel Speckhard to be present at the ceremony before he had even presented his credentials to the Greek president. A source involved in organizing the ceremony blamed the prime minister's office, explaining that if they had not wanted to draw attention to the US minister, instead of trying to sideline him, they could have invited Russian and European officials as well ... " ¶8. (U) Among other papers, on 11/25, elite pro-opposition To Vima said in an article by editor-in-chief Yiannis Kartalis headlined "Pipelines:" "It is self evident that Athens' game between Washington and Moscow can only have one objective: to best serve Greek interests on the political level, and the country's energy needs on the economic level. Beyond the economic importance of the Bourgas-Alexandroupolis [oil] pipeline, it cannot be underestimated that [it] will contribute to the sought after stability and peace in the Aegean ... But Greece also has every reason to contribute to the lifting of Russia's alienation, thus contributing to the balancing of U.S. influence in the region." ¶9. (U) Also on 11/25, centrist Eleftheros Typos wondered in an article by commentator George Malouhos headlined "Russian Pipelines under NATO Umbrella" whether it might be a good idea for Greece to seek a Western/NATO security web to protect the pipeline carrying Russian energy and at the same time the status quo of the region. More negative takes appeared in center-left Ethnos inside headlines: "The Cold War with Natural Gas Pipelines; Political Game between Washington, Moscow, Athens and Ankara Risks Making Greece an Energy Hostage to Turkey; U.S. Nightmares and White House Recommendations; The Empty U.S. Pipeline." Among other things, the paper criticized Secretary Bodman for coming to Greece "uninvited" to attend the TGI SIPDIS inauguration and asking to speak in order to "dictate" Europe's energy policy. And on 11/24, opposition Ependytis used this inside headline: "American 'Cap' on Evros! PM Karamanlis Enraged with Diplomatic Inappropriateness of U.S. Energy Secretary Against Greek-Russian Energy Cooperation." The article said that: "Washington does not seem to be able to handle the fact that Greece is not absolutely obedient to its recommendation 'not to do business' with the bad Russians on energy." SPECKHARD