Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ATHENS1427
2008-10-10 11:15:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Athens
Cable title:  

GREECE/MACEDONIA: FM BAKOYANNIS POSITIVE ON NIMETZ

Tags:  PREL PGOV CVIS MK GR 
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DE RUEHTH #1427/01 2841115
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 101115Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY ATHENS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2621
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0396
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ATHENS 001427 

SIPDIS

DEPT ALSO FOR EUR/SE AND EUR/SCE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/09/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV CVIS MK GR
SUBJECT: GREECE/MACEDONIA: FM BAKOYANNIS POSITIVE ON NIMETZ
PROPOSAL, NEGATIVE ON VWP

Classified By: Ambassador Daniel V. Speckhard for 1.4 (b) and (d)

-------
SUMMARY
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ATHENS 001427

SIPDIS

DEPT ALSO FOR EUR/SE AND EUR/SCE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/09/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV CVIS MK GR
SUBJECT: GREECE/MACEDONIA: FM BAKOYANNIS POSITIVE ON NIMETZ
PROPOSAL, NEGATIVE ON VWP

Classified By: Ambassador Daniel V. Speckhard for 1.4 (b) and (d)

--------------
SUMMARY
--------------


1. (C) In a 10/9 conversation with Ambassador Speckhard, FM
Bakoyannis said Greece considered UN mediator Nimetz' latest
proposal to be a "good basis," but with some remaining areas
for refinement - particularly stronger provisions on
bilateral usage of the new name. Bakoyannis laid out the
GOG's seriousness in responding to the proposal; most
significantly she spent a "tough day" consulting with major
opposition PASOK President George Papandreou on the proposal
to start the process of building unified
government-opposition support for a solution. The Ambassador
welcomed her seriousness in working to forge political
support for a consensus but cautioned that efforts to change
Nimetz' proposal could unravel it. He urged her to seek to
obtain any absolutely necessary "refinements" outside of the
Nimetz proposal itself. Bakoyannis reiterated that if Skopje
can "accept the name and its use in bilateral relations, we
are very close to a deal."


2. (C) Bakoyannis said she was aware of plans for Washington
to announce next week that a number of states would join the
Visa Waiver Program (VWP) and that Greece would be excluded.
She could not understand how Greece, which had cooperated
fully with the U.S. in introducing new passports and
combating terrorists could be left out. This would be
received badly by the Greek public who would see it as
"punishment" for Greece's refusal to join NATO consensus on
an invitation to Macedonia.


3. (C) The efforts to build political support and reach out
to the opposition are signs that the FM and PM believe they
are close to a deal they can live with. The newspapers are
mixed in their reaction and much will depend on how
successful Bakoyannis is in shaping public perceptions in the
days to come. In that vein, the Greek exclusion from VWP is
likely to present a difficult PR hurdle for the FM to
overcome and could seriously undermine the best chance we
have seen in a long time to find a solution to the name

issue. End Summary.

--------------
Bakoyannis - Nimetz Proposal "Good Basis"
--------------


4. (C) Bakoyannis told the Ambassador that the "new name" in
the latest Nimetz proposal is "OK for Greece." She added,
however, that "erga omnes is not OK," adding that "more
agreement" was needed on the question of bilateral usage of
the new name (Comment: The Greek "erga omnes" position has
been that the new name should be used for "all usages."
Bakoyannis statement that work needed to be done on bilateral
usage of the new name is a tacit acceptance that Greece's
maximalist position is not sustainable, and moves Greece
closer to Nimetz' earlier proposal of one name for domestic
use and another name for international use. End Comment).
Bakoyannis said that the new name should be used "every day"
in bilateral relations, adding that she thought this was
achievable. Bakoyannis made no reference to any suggestions
by Nimetz related to ethnicity and identity and the adjective
to be employed in this regard. She did term the proposal a
"good basis," and "concrete progress," but reiterated that
"further refinements" were needed.


5. (C) The Ambassador encouraged Bakoyannis to consider
whether Greece's refinements were absolutely necessary,
suggesting that a workable solution required acceptance in
both Athens and Skopje. Further changes were likely to move
the two sides further apart, rather than closer together. If
Greece needed some additional assurances on how the agreement
would be implemented, the Ambassador urged the FM to seek to
develop the necessary "understandings" outside of the
proposal itself. Any effort to seek to amend the proposal
could cause it to unravel.


6. (C) Bakoyannis reiterated the importance of bilateral
usage of the new name. She said that a commitment from the
United States to use the new name in its bilateral use would
"go a long way," but added that Greece wanted this new name
to be "used generally." She also expressed interest in
greater precision on how Macedonia would implement this
proposal. The Ambassador pushed back, noting that President

ATHENS 00001427 002 OF 002


Crvenkovski and PM Gruevski should be responsible to figure
out how to get any settlement they had agreed to through
their political system.

--------------
Building Support with the Opposition
--------------


7. (C) Bakoyannis said she had just spent a "tough day" with
major opposition PASOK party president George Papandreou.
She said the GOG wants Papandreou's buy-in on this issue. He
had been "very concerned" about bilateral usage of the new
name, wanting Greece to seek written assurances in this
regard. Bakoyannis asserted, however, that Papandreou had
been "serious" and "responsible" in their consultations.


8. (C) Bakoyannis said the political system would "need some
time" to digest this issue. She predicted it could be "more
than weeks" before the GOG had developed the support it seeks
from the opposition and public in response to th% QQ!Q Q! QQQQ!%$%%%, --------------
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s4QQ$! QQ A Q !Q Be Badly Re %!QQQQQQQQQ%%!QQQ%!QQ -------------- QQ QQQal SerioQ$Q Q BAQ QQ%"n the
face of mixed to critical public commentary on the latest
proposal. Many in the public sphere have criticized the
proposal for "crossing redlines," particularly related to
scope of use. For FM Bakoyannis to spend capital with the
opposition to build support for a settlement on this basis is
an indication of the GOG's seriousness in coming to closure
and in using this latest proposal as the basis to do so.


12. (C) However, the expected disappointment with Greece's
exclusion from VWP and the ensuing public outcry could halt
any progress. We expect FM Bakoyannis - who has been a
strong supporter of U.S.- Greek relations - to pull back from
being too close to the U.S. in order to protect herself
politically. We may even see her lash out in certain ways to
maintain her ability to operate in the Greek political
system. In this context, Greek flexibility and creativity
related to the Macedonia name issue is at risk. A strong
message from Washington regarding Greece's prospects and
timing for future entry into VWP will be important to keep
the name negotiations on track. End Comment.
SPECKHARD