GREECE TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST SERBIAN VIOLENCE

C O N F I D E N T I A L ATHENS 000272 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/25/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV SR YI KV GR SUBJECT: GREECE TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST SERBIAN VIOLENCE REF: MUNTER/SPECKHARD TELCON 2/26/08 Classified By: Ambassador Daniel V. Speckhard for 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) On 2/26, Ambassador Speckhard met with MFA Secretary General Agathocles to request that Greece take steps both in private with Serbian officials and publicly to discourage any suggestion that violence against the United States and other states who have recognized Kosovo is justified, and to discourage any instigation of further violence. Agathocles's reply was immediate: Greece has already expressed its concern about the attacks on the U.S. and other Embassies with Serbian officials and will gladly reiterate that such actions, or any statements suggesting such actions are a legitimate response to recognition of an independent Kosovo, are not acceptable and "diminish Greece's ability to help Serbia." Agathocles said he would provide instructions to this effect to the Greek Ambassador in Belgrade "today" to include the need to make such a statement in an appropriate public forum "such as with Serbian politicians and other diplomats." ¶2. (C) Agathocles said Greece is in a "sensitive situation" with Serbia. It has good contact with FM Jeremic and President Tadic, but PM Kostunica "is suspicious of us" and has been in contact with the Greek Ambassador "several times a day" to inquire whether Greece is on the verge of recognizing Kosovo. ¶3. (C) Agathocles said that the Serbian Ambassador to Athens recently called on Agathocles "on instructions from her Minister" to make clear that the Serbian Government did not condone the violence against the U.S. and other Embassies. Agathocles responded that he had no doubt that such instructions came from the Foreign Minister and represented the views of the President, but asked her if they also reflected the views of the Prime Minister. The Serbian Ambassador responded that PM Kostunica had also said "such things should not happen." Agathocles said the Serbian Ambassador offered an apology for the violence, and in particular noted that the Serbian police had failed to carry out their duties. Agathocles told her that such actions damage Serbia's relationship with the West and "damage Greece's ability to help manage this situation." SPECKHARD