Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ATHENS254
2008-02-25 12:51:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Athens
Cable title:  

TFKV01: KOSOVO: GREECE "YAWNS"

Tags:  PGOV PREL ASEC YI KV GR 
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VZCZCXRO6342
OO RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLN
RUEHLZ RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUEHTH #0254 0561251
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 251251Z FEB 08
FM AMEMBASSY ATHENS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1262
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
UNCLAS ATHENS 000254 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL ASEC YI KV GR
SUBJECT: TFKV01: KOSOVO: GREECE "YAWNS"


UNCLAS ATHENS 000254

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL ASEC YI KV GR
SUBJECT: TFKV01: KOSOVO: GREECE "YAWNS"



1. (U) Notwithstanding Greece's special relationship with
Serbia and Greece's previous history of large demonstrations
against NATO and "the West" in response to Kosovo activities,
there has been relatively little public reaction to Kosovo's
declaration of independence. Greek media coverage has been
extensive, often live from Kosovo. Weekend editorials tended
to take the line that it is unfortunate that the U.S. and
Russia are in conflict and frustrating that Greece cannot
influence events in its own neighborhood, despite being the
oldest EU member in the region.


2. (U) In response to a call from Greece's communist party
(KKE) to protest U.S. and EU actions on Kosovo in a February
23 rally/march, only about 1,000 people showed up. The
protesters chanted slogans against the U.S., the EU, and NATO
as they walked from the Greek parliament to the U.S. Embassy.
They burned an EU flag in front of the European Commission
mission as well as two American flags in front of the U.S.
Embassy. Overall, the march was tame -- at least by Greek
standards. There were no clashes with police and protesters
dispersed peacefully. Greek security forces were present at
both the EU mission and the U.S. Embassy.


3. (U) Meanwhile, leading opposition PASOK President George
Papandreau has engaged in pro forma criticism of the
Karamanlis Government, describing "unilateral recognitions"
of Kosovo "a most adverse development." KKE leader Aleka
Papariga separately called on the government not to recognize
Kosovo's independence. Papariga called Kosovo "one more
result of imperialistic policies" and called on the
government not to approve Greek participation in the "new
occupation army in the region." The tag line on primetime
news has been "an American protectorate with a European Army
(Note: We are pointing out to interlocutors that neither
assertion is correct. End Note). The Government has not
responded to these criticisms.
SPECKHARD