Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ATHENS1313
2009-07-24 14:28:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Athens
Cable title:  

GREECE: MUTUAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE (MLA) PROTOCOL AND

Tags:  CJAN PTER PREL GR 
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VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHTH #1313 2051427
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O R 241428Z JUL 09
FM AMEMBASSY ATHENS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0000
INFO RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS
RUEHTH/AMEMBASSY ATHENS
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

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