GREEK RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE ON U.S. PLANS FOR MARCH

UNCLAS ATHENS 000241 SENSITIVE SIPDIS NEA/IPA DESK OFFICER ANDREW LENTZ E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KPAL KWBG EFIN PGOV EAID PTER PHUM GR GZ SUBJECT: GREEK RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE ON U.S. PLANS FOR MARCH 2 CONFERENCE, SHARM AL-SHEIKH REF: A. SECSTATE 14575 ¶B. ATHENS 77 ¶1. (SBU) Hellenic Aid has informed Post that the GoG has made no decisions on attendance and a pledge for the upcoming Donors, Conference for the Palestinian Authority (PA). EconOff delivered reftel points on February 19 to Dr. Nike-Catherine Koutrakou, Hellenic Aid, Director of Emergency Humanitarian and Food Aid Programs. DepPolCouns delivered reftel A points on February 19 to Magdaleni Nicolaou, Deputy, MFA A6 Directorate for Middle East Affairs. ¶2. (SBU) On February 23, Dr. Koutrakou advised EconOff that the GoG has not made any firm decisions on the level and type of assistance it will pledge during the March 2 Donors' Conference for the Palestinian Authority (PA). She indicated, however, that Gaza and the PA are a priority for the GoG, and the GoG indeed plans to make a pledge at the conference or shortly thereafter. The GoG first would like to see the specific needs the PA identifies in its 2009 and 2010 budgets. Koutrakou indicated that while the GoG would not consider direct budget support, it would consider assistance to specific sectors, particularly health and education. She does not know when the GoG will make a decision on a pledge for PA, but she will update Post once she has further information. Koutrakou pointed out that the GoG has provided approximately 850,000 euros worth of in-kind humanitarian assistance (medicines, medical supplies and food stuffs) to date. By the end of this week, it will provide another shipment of humanitarian supplies, bringing the GoG total to 1 million euros. ¶3. (SBU) On attendance at the 2 March Donors' Conference, Koutrakou indicated that because PA is a priority for GoG, it would be logical for Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis to attend; however, she said that no firm decision has been made yet. MCCARTHY