Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ATHENS595
2009-04-16 07:05:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Athens
Cable title:
Envoy Kennedy Presses Greeks on Holocaust Restitution,
how-toVZCZCXRO1174 OO RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDBU RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHNP RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSK RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHTH #0595/01 1060655 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O R 160705Z APR 09 FM AMEMBASSY ATHENS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0072 INFO EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUEHTH/AMEMBASSY ATHENS
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ATHENS 000595
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KIRF GR
SUBJECT: Envoy Kennedy Presses Greeks on Holocaust Restitution,
Plevris Acquittal
REF: 08 ATHENS 972; 08 THESSALONIKI 87
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ATHENS 000595
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KIRF GR
SUBJECT: Envoy Kennedy Presses Greeks on Holocaust Restitution,
Plevris Acquittal
REF: 08 ATHENS 972; 08 THESSALONIKI 87
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Ambassador J. Christian Kennedy, Special
Envoy for Holocaust Issues, visited Athens March 28-31 to discuss
progress on Holocaust property restitution and combating
anti-Semitism with Greek officials, the Greek Orthodox Church, and
local Jewish community leaders. Ministry of Economy and Finance
representatives confirmed that they are considering offering the
Thessaloniki Jewish community a property land swap to settle Jewish
cemetery property restitution claims, but noted that any agreement
would require parliamentary approval. Jewish community leaders
informed Kennedy that anti-Semitic incidents were on the rise since
December 2008 Israeli military action in Gaza. They were deeply
disappointed by the March 27 appeals court acquittal of Kostas
Plevris, author of the anti-Semitic book "Jews: The Whole Truth."
Jewish community members stated that they planned to appeal the
Plevris case to the European Court of Human Rights. Kennedy raised
the Plevris acquittal during a meeting with the MFA, which issued a
statement criticizing Plevris on April 8. END SUMMARY.
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KIRF GR
SUBJECT: Envoy Kennedy Presses Greeks on Holocaust Restitution,
Plevris Acquittal
REF: 08 ATHENS 972; 08 THESSALONIKI 87
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Ambassador J. Christian Kennedy, Special
Envoy for Holocaust Issues, visited Athens March 28-31 to discuss
progress on Holocaust property restitution and combating
anti-Semitism with Greek officials, the Greek Orthodox Church, and
local Jewish community leaders. Ministry of Economy and Finance
representatives confirmed that they are considering offering the
Thessaloniki Jewish community a property land swap to settle Jewish
cemetery property restitution claims, but noted that any agreement
would require parliamentary approval. Jewish community leaders
informed Kennedy that anti-Semitic incidents were on the rise since
December 2008 Israeli military action in Gaza. They were deeply
disappointed by the March 27 appeals court acquittal of Kostas
Plevris, author of the anti-Semitic book "Jews: The Whole Truth."
Jewish community members stated that they planned to appeal the
Plevris case to the European Court of Human Rights. Kennedy raised
the Plevris acquittal during a meeting with the MFA, which issued a
statement criticizing Plevris on April 8. END SUMMARY.