MINISTER'S DEATH MAY HARM BILAT COOPERATION IN

C O N F I D E N T I A L NICOSIA 000057 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/SE, EUR/PPD E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/18/2017 TAGS: PGOV PREL KPAO OEXC CY SUBJECT: MINISTER'S DEATH MAY HARM BILAT COOPERATION IN EDUCATION, CULTURE Classified By: Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Thomas Miller, Reasons 1. 4 (b),(d) ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Minister of Education and Culture Pefkios Georgiades, a childhood friend of RoC President Tassos Papadopoulos, died suddenly January 17 from cardiac arrest; he was 72. An internationally renowned architect whose works are prominent in Nicosia, Georgiades, a former participant in the U.S. International Visitor (IV) program, personally attended numerous Embassy events and often sought our cooperation in educational and cultural endeavors. His death might endanger the Embassy's relationship with the ministry, should the Number 2 there, who is not favorably disposed towards the United States, exert greater influence in the near future. END SUMMARY. Ties Tight Between Minister, President -------------- ¶2. (U) Also known as the "Minister of the Children" for his dedication to youth issues, Georgiades took ill while attending an educational seminar and was rushed to the hospital, where doctors were unable to revive him. Enjoying his boss's complete confidence, Georgiades was, until his death, the only original minister to survive Papadopoulos's cabinet shakeups. In comments January 17, the president expressed grief for the loss of an invaluable associate and one-time schoolmate. Political party leaders across the spectrum voiced sadness for the loss of a "talented, creative and effective" cabinet member. A Success In, Out of Public Service -------------- ¶3. (U) Prior to becoming Minister of Education and Culture, Georgiades was a leading architect, both in private practice and in the state's employ. He led efforts to preserve Cyprus's cultural heritage, receiving several international distinctions and awards. Georgiades's most famous works include the design of the capital's municipal theater and the restoration of the Famagusta Gate, a medieval monument in old Nicosia. Death Hurts Cultural Cooperation, but Little Affects CyProb -------------- -------------- ¶4. (C) A former IV grantee (1973),Georgiades valued U.S. education and culture. As minister, he proved an Embassy ally in defending the Fulbright Program and other USG education/cultural initiatives vigorously at the RoC Council of Ministers. Georgiades proved less helpful on the broader Cyprus Problem, however, as his nationalistic, uncompromising views on the dispute -- mirroring those of his DIKO party and President Papadapoulos )- put him at odds with prevailing U.S. policy. For example, he refused to order redrafting of public school history texts, which portray Turkish Cypriots and Turks as the sole aggressors in the conflict. Short-term Friction May Lay Ahead -------------- ¶5. (SBU) COMMENT: We worry that Georgiades's death, combined with the imminent departure of several "friendly" ministry officials, could leave the Embassy devoid of close Education and Culture contacts at an important juncture. Under standard RoC practice, another (as yet unnamed) cabinet member will assume temporary control over the ministry until Papadopoulos names a permanent successor. Georgiades's deputy at the ministry, Permanent Secretary Olympia Stylianou, conceivably could exercise great influence in the interim. Unfortunately, she is not favorably disposed towards the U.S. Embassy and the United States in general, potentially hampering bilateral cooperation in the short term. ¶6. (C) To maintain the governing alliance's current arrangement on allocation of cabinet seats, Georgiades's replacement likely will hail from DIKO. In addition, he/she will require a thumbs-up from the conservative Church of Cyprus. Taken together, there is little doubt the new Education and Culture Minister will show a hard line on the Cyprus Problem. Such a candidate might still prove amenable to close coordination with the USG on educational and cultural matters, however. END COMMENT SCHLICHER