Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ATHENS232
2009-02-20 15:35:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Athens
Cable title:
GREEK VIEWS ON FEBRUARY GAERC ISSUES
how-toVZCZCXRO8151 OO RUEHAG RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHTH #0232 0511535 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 201535Z FEB 09 FM AMEMBASSY ATHENS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3259 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHMFISS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHEHAAA/NSC WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUCNDT/USMISSIONUSUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0427
C O N F I D E N T I A L ATHENS 000232
SIPDIS
E.O. 1295: DECL: 02/20/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV EUN
SUBJECT: GREEK VIEWS ON FEBRUARY GAERC ISSUES
REF: DANIEL WEISFIELD E-MAIL 02/12/2009
Classified By: POLCOUNS ROBIN QUINVILLE. REASON 1.4 (B) AND (D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ATHENS 000232
SIPDIS
E.O. 1295: DECL: 02/20/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV EUN
SUBJECT: GREEK VIEWS ON FEBRUARY GAERC ISSUES
REF: DANIEL WEISFIELD E-MAIL 02/12/2009
Classified By: POLCOUNS ROBIN QUINVILLE. REASON 1.4 (B) AND (D)
1. (C) DepPolCouns delivered ref points on U.S. positions on
the February 23-24 GAERC to MFA European Correspondent Niki
Kamba. Kamba said the agenda for the GAERC included:
Afghanistan, the Middle East, the Western Balkans, and the
Eastern Partnership. On Sudan, she said that no discussion
was now planned, but if the ICC issued an arrest warrant
defferal for President Bashir, the GAERC would then take it
up. She expected the meeting essentially to be a
"brain-storming session" with no conclusions. GAERC
conclusions were more likely at the March meeting.
2. (C) The following comments from Kamba are grouped by
agenda item:
AFGHANISTAN: Kamba said the EU wanted to focus on this issue
and to have a thorough discussion leading to a strengthening
of efforts. Agreeing with our demarche point, she said the
EU believed that our efforts must move beyond the military to
a comprehensive strategy that also included political,
economic, and assistance dimensions. It was also important
to increase Afghani involvement in the efforts. Recruitment
and Afghani buy-in, she argued, had thus far not been good.
Thus, we needed to find more incentives. The August
elections were also an important factor to bear in mind, and
Greece supported the idea of a strong monitoring mission.
Kamba did not go so far, however, as to say Greece would play
a prominent role in such a monitoring mission.
MIDDLE EAST: Re-starting of the Peace Process was important
for Greece. Kamba expected much discussion about increasing
humanitarian assistance to Gaza, but she said Greece also
believed the political dimension was essential as well.
Greece believed the will to continue with the Peace Process
still existed, despite recent developments. If a stable
ceasefire timetable were worked out, then dialogue could
resume. Kamba also mentioned that the EU border monitoring
mission was prepared to deploy as soon as the parties gave
consent.
WESTERN BALKANS: GAERC discussion on the Balkans was expected
only at the lunch, when foreign ministers only would
participate. Kamba reiterated well-worn Greek positions on
supporting the EU accession of Western Balkan countries, but
she noted that some EU member-states were suffering
enlargement fatigue -- particularly during the current
economic downturn.
EASTERN PARTNERSHIP: Kamba said this was a high priority for
the Czech Presidency. She expected no conclusions at the
GAERC meeting. She noted that the Eastern Partnership
Initiative was flexible and tailored to meet the different
needs of the various partner countries. On Belarus, she said
that while the EU too wanted to see more substantial reforms,
it was important to be realistic. Greece would support any
initiative to move Belarus closer to the EU, but "we must
keep a close eye on Lukashenko."
SPECKHARD
SIPDIS
E.O. 1295: DECL: 02/20/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV EUN
SUBJECT: GREEK VIEWS ON FEBRUARY GAERC ISSUES
REF: DANIEL WEISFIELD E-MAIL 02/12/2009
Classified By: POLCOUNS ROBIN QUINVILLE. REASON 1.4 (B) AND (D)
1. (C) DepPolCouns delivered ref points on U.S. positions on
the February 23-24 GAERC to MFA European Correspondent Niki
Kamba. Kamba said the agenda for the GAERC included:
Afghanistan, the Middle East, the Western Balkans, and the
Eastern Partnership. On Sudan, she said that no discussion
was now planned, but if the ICC issued an arrest warrant
defferal for President Bashir, the GAERC would then take it
up. She expected the meeting essentially to be a
"brain-storming session" with no conclusions. GAERC
conclusions were more likely at the March meeting.
2. (C) The following comments from Kamba are grouped by
agenda item:
AFGHANISTAN: Kamba said the EU wanted to focus on this issue
and to have a thorough discussion leading to a strengthening
of efforts. Agreeing with our demarche point, she said the
EU believed that our efforts must move beyond the military to
a comprehensive strategy that also included political,
economic, and assistance dimensions. It was also important
to increase Afghani involvement in the efforts. Recruitment
and Afghani buy-in, she argued, had thus far not been good.
Thus, we needed to find more incentives. The August
elections were also an important factor to bear in mind, and
Greece supported the idea of a strong monitoring mission.
Kamba did not go so far, however, as to say Greece would play
a prominent role in such a monitoring mission.
MIDDLE EAST: Re-starting of the Peace Process was important
for Greece. Kamba expected much discussion about increasing
humanitarian assistance to Gaza, but she said Greece also
believed the political dimension was essential as well.
Greece believed the will to continue with the Peace Process
still existed, despite recent developments. If a stable
ceasefire timetable were worked out, then dialogue could
resume. Kamba also mentioned that the EU border monitoring
mission was prepared to deploy as soon as the parties gave
consent.
WESTERN BALKANS: GAERC discussion on the Balkans was expected
only at the lunch, when foreign ministers only would
participate. Kamba reiterated well-worn Greek positions on
supporting the EU accession of Western Balkan countries, but
she noted that some EU member-states were suffering
enlargement fatigue -- particularly during the current
economic downturn.
EASTERN PARTNERSHIP: Kamba said this was a high priority for
the Czech Presidency. She expected no conclusions at the
GAERC meeting. She noted that the Eastern Partnership
Initiative was flexible and tailored to meet the different
needs of the various partner countries. On Belarus, she said
that while the EU too wanted to see more substantial reforms,
it was important to be realistic. Greece would support any
initiative to move Belarus closer to the EU, but "we must
keep a close eye on Lukashenko."
SPECKHARD