GREECE: MUTUAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE (MLA) PROTOCOL AND

UNCLAS ATHENS 001313 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: CJAN PTER PREL GR SUBJECT: GREECE: MUTUAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE (MLA) PROTOCOL AND EXTRADITION PROTOCOL REF: STATE 75443 ¶1. (SBU) We delivered reftel points and texts July 24 to Greek MFA Legal Advisor Maria Telalian, proposing a ceremony in the near future to exchange Instruments of Ratification for the MLA Protocol and the Extradition Protocol. Telalian responded very positively, saying she would immediately begin working to finalize required procedures, which on the Greek side consisted of obtaining the signatures of the President and Foreign Minister on an internal ratification document. She expressed strong agreement on the need to move quickly, noting that after the exchange of Instruments of Ratification, the exchange of diplomatic notes between Greece and the U.S., and the notification of the EU, it would still be three months before the protocols went into force. Telalian expressed her enthusiasm for the idea of a ceremony in Washington, involving the new Greek Ambassador to the U.S. and a senior State Department official, and said she would contact the Americas Department to coordinate and to confirm the Ambassador's availability. She predicted that she could get the required signatures from the Greek President and Foreign Minister as early as July 28, when the Minister returns from travel, and the ceremony could take place in a matter of days thereafter. Telalian agreed to remain in close contact with us as plans develop. We will transmit any further information to Washington as we receive it. ¶2. (SBU) Comment: Post strongly supports the idea of a ceremony to exchange Instruments of Ratification between the new Greek Ambassador and a senior Department official, which would send a positive message on our bilateral cooperation as we near conclusion of this process. SPECKHARD