GREEK MFA DIRECTOR OF THRACE AFFAIRS AND CG INSTANBUL SWAP

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 THESSALONIKI 000071 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL GR TU SUBJECT: GREEK MFA DIRECTOR OF THRACE AFFAIRS AND CG INSTANBUL SWAP PLACES IN EFFORT TO "BUILD BRIDGES BETWEEN GREECE AND TURKEY" REF: 07 THESSALONIKI 019 ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: The Greek MFA's Director for Thrace Affairs has switched positions with Greece's Consul General in Istanbul, in what both men describe as a small but sincere effort to improve Greek-Turkish relations. Both intend to continue the work of the other, while bringing their different experiences and a fresh perspective to bear on longstanding challenges in the bilateral relationship. While neither has illusions about their capacity to resolve issues related to the Turkophone Muslim minority in Thrace or the Greek minority in Istanbul, both seem genuinely committed and well-qualified to make a difference. Post strongly recommends Bornovas as a cooperative and knowledgeable interlocutor for ConGen Istanbul. END SUMMARY NEW GREEK CG IN ISTANBUL IS EXPERT ON THRACE TURKISH MINORITY ¶2. (SBU) Vassilios BORNOVAS, the director of the MFA's office in Thrace from September 2003 until early September 2008, departed Greece in mid-September to become Consul General in Istanbul. A career diplomat with the rank of Minister Counselor, Bornovas worked actively to improve education and living conditions for Thrace Muslims, including ethnic Turks and Roma. He played a key role in the development of initiatives aimed at addressing Muslim minority demands, announced by Minister of Foreign Affairs Dora Bakoyannis in February 2007 (ref). Bornovas supported post public diplomacy efforts, generously provided advice and information, recommended new contacts and regularly consulted with us on a wide range of issues. ¶3. (SBU) Bornovas is an expert on matters related to the Turkophone Muslim minority in Thrace. He undertook a number of initiatives to improve education and living conditions for the Turkophone and Roma communities in Thrace. His activism earned him admiration among local NGO's, academics and many Muslims, while other Muslims rejected his efforts as too little, too late. Bornovas was proud that the Greek country chapter in the State Department's 2007 Human Rights Report referred to his efforts on behalf of the Roma, even though the references raised suspicions among some of his colleagues that he was too close to the Americans. Bornovas said he hopes to build on the good relations his predecessor developed with Turkish authorities and business people. In addition to working on long-standing bilateral issues related to the Greek Orthodox Church and Greek minority, Bornovas hopes to use his background to develop a constructive dialogue with Turks on the Turkish/Muslim minority in Thrace. He also told us he plans to launch modest aid initiatives for underprivileged Turks in his consular district. ¶4. (U) Prior to being MFA Director in Thrace, Bornovas served at the Greek Embassy in Rome from 1999 to 2002 and before that at the OSCE (1998-1999). Bornovas was also a Consul at the Greek Consulate General in Argyrokastro, Albania from 1992 - 1996 and on the MFA Turkey desk (dealing with minority issues) from 1989-1992. Mr. Bornovas holds a law degree from the Democritus University in Thrace. He speaks excellent French, Italian and English, and some Turkish. He was born in Athens in ¶1956. NEW MFA DIRECTOR FOR THRACE TO TACKLE TURKISH MINORITY ISSUES ¶5. (SBU) Bornovas replaced Alexandros Alexandris, who served as Consul General in Istanbul from 2003 until September 2008, and who has replaced Bornovas in Thrace as MFA Director. In a meeting with us soon after arriving in Thrace, Alexandris told us he considered his new posting, coupled with Bornovas's posting to Istanbul, as a "mission to build bridges between Greece and Turkey." He intends to continue Bornovas's activist approach, engaging moderate Turkophone Muslims and addressing social and economic issues. He believes his fluent Turkish will be a significant asset. He admits that he is still learning about Thrace minority issues, but says the key areas that need to be addressed are 1) the right to self-identification (e.g. as "Turkish" vs. "Muslim"),2) the selection process for muftis (e.g. elections vs. government appointment),and 3) education (e.g. special schools for Turkish speaking students vs. mainstream schools that offer some instruction in Turkish). Alexandris served as Consul General in Toronto from 1999-2003, was in Athens from 1997-1999 and in Cyprus as an Embassy Counselor from 1991-1997. Dr. Alexandris holds a Ph.D. from King's College, London on "The Greeks of Turkey and Greek-Turkish Relations". ¶6. (SBU) COMMENT: Bornovas and Alexandris both seem genuinely interested in making progress on longstanding bilateral problems with Turkey, though both are well aware of the limitations of their roles. Post enjoyed excellent cooperation with Bornovas THESSALONI 00000071 002 OF 002 and believes he could be a valuable contact for ConGen Istanbul on Greece/Turkey issues. END COMMENT KING