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