Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ATHENS1432
2008-10-10 14:43:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Athens
Cable title:
GREEK VIEWS ON OCTOBER GAERC ISSUES
how-toVZCZCXRO3455 OO RUEHIK RUEHLN RUEHPOD RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHTH #1432 2841443 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 101443Z OCT 08 FM AMEMBASSY ATHENS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2627 INFO RUEHXD/MOSCOW POLITICAL COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
UNCLAS ATHENS 001432
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV EUN PHUM GR
SUBJECT: GREEK VIEWS ON OCTOBER GAERC ISSUES
REF: SECSTATE 108064
UNCLAS ATHENS 001432
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV EUN PHUM GR
SUBJECT: GREEK VIEWS ON OCTOBER GAERC ISSUES
REF: SECSTATE 108064
1. (SBU) DepPolCouns and visiting EUR/SE Desk Officer Goodman
delivered reftel points to MFA European Correspondent Antonia
Katzourou. Her responses below are keyed to the main issue
topics of the demarche:
-- ZIMBABWE: Katzourou did not expect a long discussion.
Conclusions had already been formulated. The EU intended to
keep its sanctions in place but would review, if
circumstances so warranted.
-- GEORGIA: The French FM was currently in Georgia
investigating Russian troop withdrawals and would report back
to the GAERC. Greece was now focused on the upcoming Geneva
conference. Katzourou said she had seen no discussion of
possible travel restrictions on Abkhaz and South Ossetian
"officials" and believed the EU was not now considering such
restrictions. Attention was on the question of Russian troop
withdrawals.
-- BELARUS: There were divergent views within the EU on this
question. Greece believed that the elections clearly were
not up to international standards. At the same time, there
had been some positive developments, such as the release of
prisoners and allowing international observers for the
elections. The Belarusian FM was scheduled to meet with the
Troika. Greece believed this would be a good time to lift
some visa bans on select individuals. Such a step would
provide greater opportunities for contacts. An asset freeze,
however, should remain. Other EU members, such as the Dutch,
were strongly against lifting a visa ban for Lukashenka.
DepPolCouns reminded Katzourou of the risk that Lukashenka
was creating the appearance of positive movement with no
intention of following through. Katzourou responded that
this concern was very much on EU minds.
SPECKHARD
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV EUN PHUM GR
SUBJECT: GREEK VIEWS ON OCTOBER GAERC ISSUES
REF: SECSTATE 108064
1. (SBU) DepPolCouns and visiting EUR/SE Desk Officer Goodman
delivered reftel points to MFA European Correspondent Antonia
Katzourou. Her responses below are keyed to the main issue
topics of the demarche:
-- ZIMBABWE: Katzourou did not expect a long discussion.
Conclusions had already been formulated. The EU intended to
keep its sanctions in place but would review, if
circumstances so warranted.
-- GEORGIA: The French FM was currently in Georgia
investigating Russian troop withdrawals and would report back
to the GAERC. Greece was now focused on the upcoming Geneva
conference. Katzourou said she had seen no discussion of
possible travel restrictions on Abkhaz and South Ossetian
"officials" and believed the EU was not now considering such
restrictions. Attention was on the question of Russian troop
withdrawals.
-- BELARUS: There were divergent views within the EU on this
question. Greece believed that the elections clearly were
not up to international standards. At the same time, there
had been some positive developments, such as the release of
prisoners and allowing international observers for the
elections. The Belarusian FM was scheduled to meet with the
Troika. Greece believed this would be a good time to lift
some visa bans on select individuals. Such a step would
provide greater opportunities for contacts. An asset freeze,
however, should remain. Other EU members, such as the Dutch,
were strongly against lifting a visa ban for Lukashenka.
DepPolCouns reminded Katzourou of the risk that Lukashenka
was creating the appearance of positive movement with no
intention of following through. Katzourou responded that
this concern was very much on EU minds.
SPECKHARD