Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ATHENS241
2009-02-24 09:23:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Athens
Cable title:
GREEK RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE ON U.S. PLANS FOR MARCH
VZCZCXYZ0006 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHTH #0241 0550923 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 240923Z FEB 09 FM AMEMBASSY ATHENS TO SECSTATE WASHDC 3272
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
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
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