Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ATHENS327
2009-03-16 12:52:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Athens
Cable title:  

KARAMANLIS DEFENDS FOREIGN POLICY AGAINST

Tags:  PREL PGOV MOPS TU GR 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO0549
OO RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHNP RUEHROV RUEHSR
DE RUEHTH #0327 0751252
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 161252Z MAR 09
FM AMEMBASSY ATHENS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3376
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHMFISS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L ATHENS 000327 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/13/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV MOPS TU GR
SUBJECT: KARAMANLIS DEFENDS FOREIGN POLICY AGAINST
PARLIAMENTARY NAYSAYERS

Classified By: DCM DEBORAH MCCARTHY. REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).

C O N F I D E N T I A L ATHENS 000327

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/13/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV MOPS TU GR
SUBJECT: KARAMANLIS DEFENDS FOREIGN POLICY AGAINST
PARLIAMENTARY NAYSAYERS

Classified By: DCM DEBORAH MCCARTHY. REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: In a March 12 unscheduled Parliamentary
debate, PM Karamanlis defended his government's foreign
policy, noting that its "red lines" on the Macedonia name
issue remained unchanged, as did its insistence that Turkey
must comply fully with all EU obligations for accession.
Main opposition PASOK leader Papandreou accused the New
Democracy government of passivity in foreign affairs and
reducing Greece's foreign policy to an ongoing search for a
"protector," one day in the U.S., the next in Russia, the
next in France. Far right LAOS leader Karatzaferis called on
the government not to purchase U.S.-built fighter jets and
demanded two referenda: one on the Macedonia name issue and
one on Greek support for Turkey's EU accession. END SUMMARY.



2. (SBU) The debate was prompted by a motion of far-right
LAOS party leader Karatzaferis, who complained both ruling ND
and main opposition PASOK were competing to show would could
be the "better friend" of the Americans. Karatzaferis
attacked FM Bakoyannis personally for allowing Greece's
foreign affairs to be subordinated to her own goals. The
LAOS firebrand called on PM Karamanlis not to allow the
purchase of U.S.-built fighter jets and demanded a referendum
on the Macedonia name issue and one on Greece's support of
Turkey' EU bid.


3. (SBU) PM Karamanlis defended his government's foreign
policy, noting that the GOG observed certain "inviolable red
lines" but wanted to improve relations with all nations. He
warned that "FYROM" (the former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia) was barring its own way to entry into
Euro-Atlantic institutions through its provocative stance on
the name issue. The PM underscored that "FYROM" would not
enter the Euro-Atlantic family without a solution to the name
issue.


4. (SBU) On Greece's relations with Turkey, Karamanlis noted
that while Turkey had undertaken some reforms required for EU
accession, it had failed to take other "fundamental and
necessary" steps, especially those relating to stopping
illegal immigration. At the same time, Karamanlis emphasized
that Turkey's full compliance with EU obligations should
result in full EU membership and that only full compliance
could counter the views of those urging a "special"
second-class relationship for Turkey with the EU. Time,
Karamanlis said, was working against Turkey's European
prospects.


5. (SBU) PASOK leader Papandreou blasted the government for
taking an essentially passive stance in foreign affairs. He
referred repeatedly to the current economic downturn and ND's
failure to stem the country's decline domestically and in the
international arena. Papandreou accused the GOG of lacking a
plan and having reduced foreign policy to a constant search
for a "protector" foreign power: one day the U.S., the next
Russia, the next France. "You believe that inaction equals
zero risk, (but) it is in inaction and lack of initiative
that risk and danger lurk." Leftist SYRIZA leader Alavanos
piled on, noting that President Obama's planned visit to
Turkey demonstrated that Greece's neighbor "has a foreign
policy, while Greece has not."
SPECKHARD