Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ATHENS1261
2008-09-05 13:28:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Athens
Cable title:  

GREEKS UNCERTAIN ON KOSOVO ICJ RESOLUTION AT UNGA

Tags:  PREL UNGA UN KV SR GR 
pdf how-to read a cable
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DE RUEHTH #1261 2491328
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 051328Z SEP 08 ZDK
FM AMEMBASSY ATHENS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2444
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUCNDT/US MISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L ATHENS 001261 


SIPDIS

DEPT ALSO FOR EUR/SCE AND EUR/SE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/05/2018
TAGS: PREL UNGA UN KV SR GR
SUBJECT: GREEKS UNCERTAIN ON KOSOVO ICJ RESOLUTION AT UNGA

REF: STATE 91908

Classified By: A/POL COUNSELOR JEFF HOVENIER. REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).

C O N F I D E N T I A L ATHENS 001261


SIPDIS

DEPT ALSO FOR EUR/SCE AND EUR/SE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/05/2018
TAGS: PREL UNGA UN KV SR GR
SUBJECT: GREEKS UNCERTAIN ON KOSOVO ICJ RESOLUTION AT UNGA

REF: STATE 91908

Classified By: A/POL COUNSELOR JEFF HOVENIER. REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).


1. (C) A/Political Counselor raised reftel points on a
possible UNGA resolution requesting an advisory opinion from
the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Kosovo's
declaration of independence with Ambassador Eleftherios
Angelopoulos, Director of the MFA A3 Directorate for
Southeastern Europe. Angelopoulos responded that Greece is
"seriously examining" this issue, including at the level of
FM Bakoyannis. Greece has not taken a decision on how to
approach such a resolution. And, Greece has concerns about
it. On the one hand, Greece has maintained a long-term
position of supporting Serbia, and Greece's views on Kosovo's
independence are "well known" (Note: Greece has not
recognized Kosovo's independence. End Note). However,
Greece now views the situation in Kosovoto be
"irreversible." Greece does not want "new problems" related
to Kosovo, and it is "hard to understand" how referring the
question of the legality of Kosovo's declaration of
independence to the ICJ will help Serbia or other partners
who are working to foster stability in Kosovo, including many
who have recognized an independent Kosovo. A decision to
refer this issue to the ICJ would likely "create
uncertainty." Angelopoulos concluded by noting that the
Greek MFA hoped to come to a policy decision "soon" on how to
approach this issue, and he would be back in touch.


2. (C) Poloff followed up with Ambassador Alexandros Rallis,
Director of the MFA D1 Department for United Nations and
International Organizations Affairs. Rallis confirmed that
Greece has not yet taken a decision on how to approach this
issue, adding that no instructions have been sent to the
Greek Mission in New York. Rallis noted the Serbian
Ambassador in Athens had recently contacted him requesting
Greece's support for the UNGA resolution, and had been told
that Greece has not yet formulated its position. Rallis
concluded that he would be meeting personally with FM
Bakoyannis next week on this issue, and he promised to update
us once a policy decision has been taken. We will continue
to press GOG contacts to demur on supporting any Serbian
resolution to refer the case to the ICJ.
SPECKHARD