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