GREEK RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE FOR POTENTIAL PAKISTAN

UNCLAS ATHENS 001719

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID ECON EFIN GR PK
SUBJECT: GREEK RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE FOR POTENTIAL PAKISTAN
DONORS CONFERENCE IN EARLY 2009

REF: A. SECSTATE 129615

B. ATHENS 1618


1. (SBU) A/DepEconCouns delivered reftel points on December
15 to Dr. Nike-Catherine Koutrakou, Hellenic Aid, Director of
Emergency Humanitarian and Food Aid Programs. On December
24, Dr. Koutrakou advised A/DepEconCouns once again (see
reftel B) that the GoG has not made any firm decisions on
whether it will provide assistance to Pakistan. Hellenic Aid
understands Pakistan's needs in light of the significant
reforms they are undertaking, but Koutrakou reiterated that
Pakistan is not a strategic priority for Greece's limited
development assistance. That said, Koutrakou continues to
believe that some targeted assistance in the governance area
(e.g., seminars for the judiciary) would be useful. She has
recommended to Ambassador Mercourios Karafotias, Director
General of Hellenic Aid, that the GoG provide governance
assistance through the UNDP or the UN's Office on Drugs and
Crimes, both of which have programs in Pakistan; however, no
decision has been made. She does not know by when the GoG
will make a decision on this assistance, but she will update
Post once one is made.


2. (SBU) On attendance at an early- to mid-January Donors'
Conference, Koutrakou indicated that it would be difficult to
get senior level Greek attendance if it occurred prior to
January 7 due to holidays (January 6 is Epiphany and an
official Greek holiday). Koutrakou further alluded that
high-level attendance (e.g., foreign minister) might be
difficult regardless of the date due to the ongoing
demonstrations and speculations that the Prime Minister may
be considering possible governmental changes in response.
Koutrakou said if the Conference takes place in New York, it
is more likely that Greece will be represented by their
Ambassador to the UN.
SPECKHARD