GREECE/MACEDONIA: FM BAKOYANNIS WELCOMING

UNCLAS ATHENS 000231 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV UN NATO MK GR SUBJECT: GREECE/MACEDONIA: FM BAKOYANNIS WELCOMING STATEMENT TO SKOPJE/OPPOSITION CALLS FOR NATO VETO SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED -- PROTECT ACCORDINGLY. ¶1. (U) In comments to the press on the margins of the 2/19 talks in Athens under UN Special Envoy Nimetz on Macedonia's name, FM Bakoyannis made a welcoming and (for a Greek official, uncommonly positive) statement to Skopje, calling for Athens and Skopje to work together to put the past behind them and acknowledging that for Greece Macedonia should be a good frend, potentially strong ally and future partner: "The time has come to solve this issue once and for all . . . Both Athens and Skopje have a choice to make: a choice between the past and the future. I have requested Ambassador Dimitrov to convey a message to your government and your people: A message of optimism. A message of hope . . . In this future we want to walk hand-in-hand with you - our neighbors. We see on our borders a proud and dignified people; a strong community with a vibrant economy and an energetic society. We see on our borders a state with much to offer to our neighborhood. We want to see in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia a good friend, a potentially strong ally, and a future solid partner. Let us leave the past behind us. Let us reach a solution. Let us make our way inside the Euro-Atlantic and European families together." ¶2. (U) Meanwhile, Panos Baglitis, a spokesman from the main opposition party PASOK, reiterated that the opposition would only accept a "mutually acceptable solution on the basis of a unitary, composite and common to all uses name, which will express the geographic reality of our broader region." Baglitis called on the government to reject any "dual-name proposal," adding that Greece should veto any NATO invitation for Macedonia if no agreeable solution is found. Baglitis also accused the government of "mistaken handling" of the issue. ¶3. (SBU) Comment: We have long advocated that Greek officials employ a "win-win" rhetoric on (and perspective to) to this issue. Bakoyannis' public comments are helpful to our effort to create a more positive climate between the sides. We recognize that these comments may be received skeptically in Skopje, but we believe they are sincere; they are most certainly a departure from the norm. Any reciprocal gesture from Skopje would help foster a climate more conducive to getting both sides to compromise. We also note that although the views being expressed by PASOK are not surprising, they are a further indication of the Greek government's limited room for maneuver. End Comment. SPECKHARD