UNCLAS ATHENS 001573

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
NEA/PI FOR CHARLES KIAMIE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL GR ECON KPAO KMPI
SUBJECT: G-8 BMENA Forum for the Future: New Greek Alternate Foreign
Minister Encouraged to Attend

REF: A) STATE 101506 B) STATE 82753 C) ATHENS 1435 D)ATHENS 1439


1. (SBU) On October 21, the Ambassador encouraged Greek Alternate
Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas to attend the 2009 G-8 BMENA
Forum for the Future and noted, per ref. A, that Secretary Clinton
is planning to attend. Droutsas expressed interest in the event
and asked for more information. Post shared the points and
information note from ref. B with Droutsas' office shortly
thereafter.


2. (SBU) As reported in ref. C and ref. D, PolOff and EconOff
originally shared details on the Forum for the Future with the
Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Hellenic Aid in August. At
that time (then) Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis confirmed that
she planned to attend the November Forum for the Future. Just a few
weeks ago there was a change of government in Greece, with new
Prime Minister George Papandreou also serving as Foreign Minister
while Alternate Foreign Minister Droutsas is assuming the bulk of
ministerial-level travel.
Speckhard