GREECE/MACEDONIA: PM KARAMANLIS REITERATES VETO

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ATHENS 000258

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV MK GR
SUBJECT: GREECE/MACEDONIA: PM KARAMANLIS REITERATES VETO
IF NO SOLUTION


SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - PROTECT ACCORDINGLY

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SUMMARY
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1. (U) In response to Parliamentary Questions, PM Karamanlis
publicly reiterated that Greece will block a NATO invitation
to Macedonia absent a name agreement, while reiterating
desire to reach agreement. Greek opposition parties have
loudly criticized any "dual name" solution, favoring a change
in Macedonia's constitutional name. Weekend press dissected
the leaked Nimetz proposal, with most commentators focusing
on flaws. Meanwhile two polls were published that show
strong opposition to any "dual name" and strong support for a
Greek veto of a NATO invitation to Macedonia. Finally, UN
envoy Nimetz told influential "Kathimerini" that he will be
"objective" and "even handed" and plans another round of
talks soon in New York. End Summary.

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Karamanlis to Parliament -- Veto If No Solution
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2. (U) The PM's question time with Parliament on 2/22 became
heated as opposition MPs challenged GOG policy on Macedonia.
In response to criticisms against the GOG's policies,
Karamanlis responded that "no solution means no invitation"
for Macedonia. Karamanlis added that Macedonia's NATO and EU
aspirations depend on "proof" Macedonia can be "a real ally
and partner." This means it must "arrive at a mutually
acceptable solution to the outstanding issues regarding its
name."


3. (U) Opposition PASOK President Papandreou also criticized
the leak of the Nimetz plan to the Greek press. FM
Bakoyannis had previously publicly announced that she assumed
"political responsibility" for the leak, and we understand
that the MFA is doing a robust leak investigation.
Karamanlis noted that the leak had "does not help," and
reminded Papandreou that when he had been Foreign Minister
there had also been a number of leaks of sensitive documents.


4. (U) Meanwhile, FM Bakoyannis has continued to take the
high road in public comments, telling reporters that Greece
seeks a solution "based on consensus, reality, and national
dignity" on both sides. At a swearing-in ceremony for new
conscripts, DefMin Meimarakis stressed that Greece will seek
a solution through "dialogue and peaceful resolution of
problems," but Greece will not accept any "threats against
territorial integrity" or any "affronts to national
principles." The ruling party Governor of Thessaloniki told
reporters, "Macedonia cannot be bargained away or sold.
Veto!" Finally, Metropolitan of Thessaloniki Anthimos called
from the pulpit 2/24 for popular demonstrations against a
dual name solution and for the government to veto Macedonia's
accession into NATO and the EU; although not responding
directly, new Archbishop Ieronymos reiterated that he wanted
no role in "public debate on foreign affairs."

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Opposition Criticism
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5. (U) Greece's opposition parties have, uniformly,
criticized government handling of the issue:

-- PASOK: In an exclusive interview in influential "Ta Nea,"
Papandreou said PASOK opposes any "double name solution," and
he criticized the government for agreeing to negotiate on
that basis.

-- Greece's communist party (KKE) leadership have also
accused the government of "lying about a veto" on the name
issue, while leftist party SYN President Alexis Tsipras has
called for a composite name with a geographic reference.

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Press Commentary -- Nimetz Proposal Flawed
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6. (SBU) The Nimetz proposal was the overwhelming favorite
subject of Greece's op-ed and editorial writers over the
weekend. Those focused on the proposal itself noted its
flaws, including the absence of a requirement for Skopje to
amend its constitutional name and the inclusion in the
proposal of names that do not contain geographic modifiers.
Weekend press also speculated about friction between PM
Karamanlis and FM Bakoyannis on the issue and examined a

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non-paper circulated by the MFA to MPs. (Note: Although it
would not be surprising if there were Karamanlis/Bakoyannis
frictions on the name issue, we continue to see indications
that FM Bakoyannis is consulting very closely with PM
Karamanlis on all aspects of this issue. End Note).

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Polls: No Dual Name and No NATO Invite
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7. (U) On Sunday, two separate polls were published on the
issue. In one poll:

-- 70.4 percent of respondents rejected use of the term
"Macedonia" in any new name for Macedonia; and

-- 66.6 percent rejected a double name solution.

In the other poll:

-- 59.3 percent of respondents said Greece should veto
Macedonia joining NATO If the United States pressured Greece
to accept the latest Nimetz proposal; and

-- Only 5.3 percent said Greece should accept the Nimetz
proposal.


8. (SBU) Comment: Although polling is well-developed in
Greece, we cannot be certain that these polls were
methodologically sound, and we note that some of the
questions were drafted in a leading manner. However these
polls, and others showing similar results in the past, have
now become part of the public dialogue on the Macedonia name
issue. End Comment.

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Nimetz Pledges Fairness/More Talks
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9. (U) Finally, "Kathimerini" ran on Sunday an interview
with Nimetz that has received wide coverage. Nimetz noted
that he will be "objective and even-handed" with both sides.
He added that he plans to call a new round of talks in New
York "very soon" once the two sides have sent "official word"
that they have completed their review of his proposal and are
ready to provide a detailed response.
SPECKHARD