GREECE: DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON UN HUMAN RIGHTS

C O N F I D E N T I A L ATHENS 000114 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/23/2018 TAGS: PHUM PREL GR IS SUBJECT: GREECE: DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL SPECIAL SESSION ON GAZA REF: STATE 7232 Classified By: A/Political Counselor Jeff Hovenier for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (SBU) On January 24, Acting Political Counselor delivered reftel demarche points to Director of the D1 Directorate for International Organizations, Ambassador Alexandros Rallis. Rllis stated that he had already sent our previously faxed points to the Greek mission in Geneva and had also forwarded a copy of the points to the A6 Directorate for Middle East Affairs. He demurred, however, on responding to the direct question of how Greece would vote on the proposed resolution. ¶2. (C) On January 24, Deputy PolCounselor also delivered a copy of the demarche points to Mr. Georgos Ayfantis, Deputy Director of the A6 Directorate for Middle East Affairs. Ayfantis said that Greece "does not like these religious based organizations -- like the Organization of Islamic States," and added that it is counter-productive for the Palestinians to use such organizations as surrogates. He also did not indicate how Greece would vote on the proposed resolution. SPECKHARD