GREECE: CONTACT GROUP FOR PIRACY OFF THE COAST OF SOMALIA

UNCLAS ATHENS 001457 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EWWT KCRM PHSA PHUM PREL UNSC SO GR SUBJECT: GREECE: CONTACT GROUP FOR PIRACY OFF THE COAST OF SOMALIA (CGPCS) AND COMMITMENTS REGARDING INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES REF: STATE 90045 ¶1. (SBU) On August 31 we delivered reftel message to Greek MFA D1 Directorate (UN and International Organizations Affairs) Counselor Dimitris Papandreou, inviting Greece to join other countries that are among the 20 largest ship registries to sign the Commitment to Best Management Practices to Avoid, Deter or Delay Acts of Piracy on September 9 in New York. Papandreou expressed appreciation for the invitation, and he subsequently disseminated the draft text for comment within the Greek government and shipping industry, setting an internal deadline of September 4 for input. Papandreou, who will attend the CGPCS meeting in New York, expressed interest in any information we could provide about which other countries were willing to sign the declaration. He pledged to provide the Greek response as soon as possible. ¶2. (SBU) We also discussed the issue September 2 with Greek Ministry of Mercantile Marine diplomatic advisor Nicolas Protonotarios, encouraging his Ministry to support the initiative. Protonotarios confirmed he had received our proposal from the MFA, and said that although he could not provide a final answer yet he did not see any problem in principle with the proposal. He noted that piracy was a major concern of the Ministry of Mercantile Marine, and expressed eagerness to work with the U.S. and the rest of the international community on further steps to combat it. ¶3. (SBU) Post remains in contact with both ministries and will inform Washington of any further Greek response when it is received. We would appreciate additional information from Washington on plans for the signing ceremony and the number of countries who have agreed to sign, when such information becomes available, so that we could share it with the Greeks. SPECKHARD