GREEK VIEWS IN ADVANCE OF SEPTEMBER GYMNICH

C O N F I D E N T I A L ATHENS 001461

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/ERA A.NARDI
AMEMBASSY ANKARA PASS TO AMCONSUL ADANA
AMEMBASSY ASTANA PASS TO USOFFICE ALMATY
AMEMBASSY BERLIN PASS TO AMCONSUL DUSSELDORF
AMEMBASSY BERLIN PASS TO AMCONSUL LEIPZIG
AMEMBASSY BELGRADE PASS TO AMEMBASSY PODGORICA
AMEMBASSY HELSINKI PASS TO AMCONSUL ST PETERSBURG
AMEMBASSY ATHENS PASS TO AMCONSUL THESSALONIKI
AMEMBASSY MOSCOW PASS TO AMCONSUL VLADIVOSTOK
AMEMBASSY MOSCOW PASS TO AMCONSUL YEKATERINBURG

E.O. 12958: DECL: 2019/09/04
TAGS: EUN GR PGOV PREL
SUBJECT: GREEK VIEWS IN ADVANCE OF SEPTEMBER GYMNICH

REF: EUR/ERA 08/28/09 EMAIL, INTELLIPEDIA GYMNICH POINTS

CLASSIFIED BY: George Frowick, Political Counselor; REASON: 1.4(B)


1. (SBU) On September 2 PolOff delivered reftel Gymnich
backgrounder and points to Niki Kambas of the Greek MFA Directorate
for Common Foreign and Security Policy. Kambas noted that,
overall, she does not foresee any big changes from the "usual
positions" for issues on the agenda and said Greece will continue
to pursue a coordinated approach with the EU, and then with the US.
She also noted that the MFA does not prepare new formal position
papers for the GYMNICH, as they do for the GAERC, because it is
more informal and "up to the Ministers to decide what line they
will take." Kambas provided the following Greek views for the main
Gymnich topics:


2. (C) Iran: Kambas noted that Greece "is not pushing" for
additional EU sanctions against Iran but would also not stand in
the way of the consensus vote, should sanctions be passed. GoG
would prefer sanctions within the UNSC framework. Kambas stressed
that any additional sanctions should be targeted against the
Iranian regime and oriented toward results. She noted that the GoG
would also like Iranian nuclear development to be the top priority
for the EU and US. Although the latest IAEA report had minor
positive elements, the most immediate goal was still to prevent or
at least delay development of an Iranian nuclear program.


3. (SBU) Middle East: Kambas conveyed Greek support for recent
talks in the region and the work done by Special Envoy Mitchell.
The GoG thinks it would be difficult to have a peace agreement that
does not include deal with Jerusalem and also expressed concern
that the situation in Gaza is still "very unreliable." With
Palestinian elections set to be held in four months, Kambas said
the focus should be on supporting the elections and ultimately
supporting the elected government. Kambas inquired as to UNGA
September meetings on the peace process. PolOff said Washington
guidance on the matter indicated that we anticipate meetings of the
Middle East Quartet and with Arab League Foreign Ministers.


4. (SBU) Afghanistan/Pakistan: The GoG continues to support EU
efforts to promote good government, rule of law, stability,
development and humanitarian aid for internally displaced persons.
Following the EU-Pakistan Summit, the EU is looking to quickly
implement development programs, facilitate Pakistan-EU trade, and
forge close cooperation to achieve their goals.
SPECKHARD