Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ATHENS184
2009-02-10 15:55:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Athens
Cable title:
GREECE/BOSNIA: FORMAL REQUEST TO SUPPORT
how-toVZCZCXYZ0022 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHTH #0184 0411555 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 101555Z FEB 09 FM AMEMBASSY ATHENS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3173 INFO RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHVJ/AMEMBASSY SARAJEVO PRIORITY 0094 RUEHVB/AMEMBASSY ZAGREB PRIORITY 0364 RUEHBW/AMEMBASSY BELGRADE PRIORITY 0035
C O N F I D E N T I A L ATHENS 000184
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/09/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV BK GR
SUBJECT: GREECE/BOSNIA: FORMAL REQUEST TO SUPPORT
CANDIDACY OF ALEXANDROS MALLIAS AS HIGH REPRESENTATIVE
REF: SPECKHARD/JONES E-MAIL OF 2/6/09
Classified By: DCM Deborah McCarthy for 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ATHENS 000184
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/09/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV BK GR
SUBJECT: GREECE/BOSNIA: FORMAL REQUEST TO SUPPORT
CANDIDACY OF ALEXANDROS MALLIAS AS HIGH REPRESENTATIVE
REF: SPECKHARD/JONES E-MAIL OF 2/6/09
Classified By: DCM Deborah McCarthy for 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) In a February 10 meeting at his request with Pol-Mil
Chief, Haris Lalacos, Director of the MFA A11 Directorate for
Common Foreign and Security Policy, formally requested that
the USG support the candidacy of Greek Ambassador to the
United States, Alexandros P. Mallias, to serve as the EU
Special Representative(EUSR) /High Representative in Bosnia.
Lalacos provided a CV (e-mailed to EUR/SE and EUR/SCE),and
emphasized that Mallias brings extensive qualifications for
the position, having spent most of his career working on
Balkans issues. Lalacos emphasized that Greece had
"carefully thought through" the issue of having a Greek serve
in this position. Mallias is know to be "balanced," and had
"been in the forefront of those in the Ministry who moved
Greek foreign policy to a greater balance in the region."
Lalacos said that it was Greece's assessment that Mallias
would be "easily accepted" by all three Bosnian communities
as EUSR/High Representative.
2. (C) Lalacos noted that the GOG is making a similar
request of all EU member states -- although in cases "like
the UK" that also have candidates, Greece is simply
"informing" them of Mallias' candidacy -- and with "key
members" of the PIC Steering Board. Lalacos underscored that
Greece knows there are other candidates for the position, but
said Greece "hopes" that the international community will
take into account the fact that some of those candidates come
from countries that have have already had one of their
nationals serve as High Representative.
3. (C) Finally, Lalacos said that the timing on the decision
on the designation of a candidate as EUSR will come quickly.
EU High Representative has called candidates to Brussels "the
end of this week" for interviews, and Greece understands that
the EU will choose its EUSR (who would subsequenlty be
approved by the PIC to be dual-hatted as High Representative
for Bosnia) at the February 23 GAERC.
4. (C) Pol-Mil Chief responded that he had no instructions
on the matter, but would report this request back to
Washington. He noted that in an earlier conversation with
the MFA Secretary General, Ambassador Speckhard had suggested
that Greece proceed carefully on this issue, as there are
concerns that appointing a Greek to this position may be
negatively seen by some of the Bosnian communities.
SPECKHARD
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/09/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV BK GR
SUBJECT: GREECE/BOSNIA: FORMAL REQUEST TO SUPPORT
CANDIDACY OF ALEXANDROS MALLIAS AS HIGH REPRESENTATIVE
REF: SPECKHARD/JONES E-MAIL OF 2/6/09
Classified By: DCM Deborah McCarthy for 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) In a February 10 meeting at his request with Pol-Mil
Chief, Haris Lalacos, Director of the MFA A11 Directorate for
Common Foreign and Security Policy, formally requested that
the USG support the candidacy of Greek Ambassador to the
United States, Alexandros P. Mallias, to serve as the EU
Special Representative(EUSR) /High Representative in Bosnia.
Lalacos provided a CV (e-mailed to EUR/SE and EUR/SCE),and
emphasized that Mallias brings extensive qualifications for
the position, having spent most of his career working on
Balkans issues. Lalacos emphasized that Greece had
"carefully thought through" the issue of having a Greek serve
in this position. Mallias is know to be "balanced," and had
"been in the forefront of those in the Ministry who moved
Greek foreign policy to a greater balance in the region."
Lalacos said that it was Greece's assessment that Mallias
would be "easily accepted" by all three Bosnian communities
as EUSR/High Representative.
2. (C) Lalacos noted that the GOG is making a similar
request of all EU member states -- although in cases "like
the UK" that also have candidates, Greece is simply
"informing" them of Mallias' candidacy -- and with "key
members" of the PIC Steering Board. Lalacos underscored that
Greece knows there are other candidates for the position, but
said Greece "hopes" that the international community will
take into account the fact that some of those candidates come
from countries that have have already had one of their
nationals serve as High Representative.
3. (C) Finally, Lalacos said that the timing on the decision
on the designation of a candidate as EUSR will come quickly.
EU High Representative has called candidates to Brussels "the
end of this week" for interviews, and Greece understands that
the EU will choose its EUSR (who would subsequenlty be
approved by the PIC to be dual-hatted as High Representative
for Bosnia) at the February 23 GAERC.
4. (C) Pol-Mil Chief responded that he had no instructions
on the matter, but would report this request back to
Washington. He noted that in an earlier conversation with
the MFA Secretary General, Ambassador Speckhard had suggested
that Greece proceed carefully on this issue, as there are
concerns that appointing a Greek to this position may be
negatively seen by some of the Bosnian communities.
SPECKHARD