Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ATHENS147
2009-02-03 10:34:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Athens
Cable title:
GREECE/NATO: ACCESSION PROCESS STATUS UPDATE
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHTH #0147 0341034 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 031034Z FEB 09 ZDK FM AMEMBASSY ATHENS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3135 INFO RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHVB/AMEMBASSY ZAGREB PRIORITY 0363 RUEHTI/AMEMBASSY TIRANA PRIORITY 1345 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0422
C O N F I D E N T I A L ATHENS 000147
SIPDIS
DEPT ALSO FOR EUR/SE, EUR/RPM (VOVCHUK AND CALSON) AND L/T
(HOLLERAN)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/30/2019
TAGS: KTIA MARR NATO PARM PREL HR AL GR
SUBJECT: GREECE/NATO: ACCESSION PROCESS STATUS UPDATE
REF: A. STATE 7128
B. ATHENS 65
Classified By: A/POL COUNSELOR JEFF HOVENIER. REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ATHENS 000147
SIPDIS
DEPT ALSO FOR EUR/SE, EUR/RPM (VOVCHUK AND CALSON) AND L/T
(HOLLERAN)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/30/2019
TAGS: KTIA MARR NATO PARM PREL HR AL GR
SUBJECT: GREECE/NATO: ACCESSION PROCESS STATUS UPDATE
REF: A. STATE 7128
B. ATHENS 65
Classified By: A/POL COUNSELOR JEFF HOVENIER. REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).
1. (C) Per ref A request, we have further followed-up with
GOG officials on the status of the protocols of accession of
Albania and Croatia to NATO (ref B). The protocols are now
pending in the Parliament, and various contacts have
confirmed that the Parliament is expected to approve them in
"February or early March." In a January 30 meeting with the
Dimitris Sioufas, the President of the Parliament, the DCM
underscored the importance of rapid approval. The President
of the Parliamentary Committee on Defense and Foreign
Affairs, Krinio Kanellopoulou, reaffirmed to Ambassador
Speckhard February 3 that Parliamentary review and approval
is on track and will come quickly. Major opposition PASOK
"Shadow Defense Minister" (and MP) Vasso Papandreou told
A/Political Counselor February 2 that she anticipated "no
drama" in obtaining Parliamentary approval of the protocols
well in advance of the April NATO Summit.
2. (C) MFA NATO Department Deputy Director Daskarolis told
A/Political Counselor that the MFA would require "very little
time" to deposit the instruments of ratification following
Parliamentary approval. "The papers are prepared and ready,
and will move as soon as the Parliament has ratified," he
added. Embassy Athens will continue to follow the issue
closely.
SPECKHARD
SIPDIS
DEPT ALSO FOR EUR/SE, EUR/RPM (VOVCHUK AND CALSON) AND L/T
(HOLLERAN)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/30/2019
TAGS: KTIA MARR NATO PARM PREL HR AL GR
SUBJECT: GREECE/NATO: ACCESSION PROCESS STATUS UPDATE
REF: A. STATE 7128
B. ATHENS 65
Classified By: A/POL COUNSELOR JEFF HOVENIER. REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).
1. (C) Per ref A request, we have further followed-up with
GOG officials on the status of the protocols of accession of
Albania and Croatia to NATO (ref B). The protocols are now
pending in the Parliament, and various contacts have
confirmed that the Parliament is expected to approve them in
"February or early March." In a January 30 meeting with the
Dimitris Sioufas, the President of the Parliament, the DCM
underscored the importance of rapid approval. The President
of the Parliamentary Committee on Defense and Foreign
Affairs, Krinio Kanellopoulou, reaffirmed to Ambassador
Speckhard February 3 that Parliamentary review and approval
is on track and will come quickly. Major opposition PASOK
"Shadow Defense Minister" (and MP) Vasso Papandreou told
A/Political Counselor February 2 that she anticipated "no
drama" in obtaining Parliamentary approval of the protocols
well in advance of the April NATO Summit.
2. (C) MFA NATO Department Deputy Director Daskarolis told
A/Political Counselor that the MFA would require "very little
time" to deposit the instruments of ratification following
Parliamentary approval. "The papers are prepared and ready,
and will move as soon as the Parliament has ratified," he
added. Embassy Athens will continue to follow the issue
closely.
SPECKHARD