ENSURING EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF UN SECURITY

C O N F I D E N T I A L ATHENS 000289 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/08/2017 TAGS: PREL PGOV KNNP EFIN IR GR SUBJECT: ENSURING EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF UN SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION 1737 REF: STATE 14071 Classified By: DCM THOMAS COUNTRYMAN. REASON: 1.4 (B) AND (D). ¶1. (C) DCM delivered reftel points to MFA Secretary General Rocanas on February 6, underscoring the importance of international community unity on implementation of UNSCR ¶1737. Outlining the steps the United States was taking, DCM pressed for the GOG to joint with others to ensure that the Iranian regime recognized the costs of pursuing a nuclear weapons capability. Rocanas admitted that there was division within the EU on the question of taking an aggressive stance toward implementation of UNSCR 1737; the issue remained unsettled. Greece would join prevailing consensus -- which could well decide on an aggressive plan. ¶2. (C) COMMENT: Embassy will follow-up with others in the MFA, as well as with key figures in the business community. The GOG, wary of appearing to align itself with the U.S. (particularly in an election year),will likely take a low-profile on the issue -- preferring to clothe eventual measures in the mantle of EU consensus. RIES