Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09THESSALONIKI54
2009-12-01 15:00:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Consulate Thessaloniki
Cable title:  

NEW INTERIOR DEPMIN TO FOCUS ON LEGAL IMMIGRATION AND

Tags:  PGOV PREL SMIG PINR PHUM CACS SOCI GR 
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DE RUEHIK #0054/01 3351500
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P 011500Z DEC 09
FM AMCONSUL THESSALONIKI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0500
INFO RUEHTH/AMEMBASSY ATHENS PRIORITY 0375
RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RUEFHLC/DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEHIK/AMCONSUL THESSALONIKI 0543
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 THESSALONIKI 000054 

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR/SE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL SMIG PINR PHUM CACS SOCI GR
SUBJECT: NEW INTERIOR DEPMIN TO FOCUS ON LEGAL IMMIGRATION AND
DECENTRALIZATION

REF: ATHENS 1547

THESSALONI 00000054 001.2 OF 002


UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 THESSALONIKI 000054

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR/SE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL SMIG PINR PHUM CACS SOCI GR
SUBJECT: NEW INTERIOR DEPMIN TO FOCUS ON LEGAL IMMIGRATION AND
DECENTRALIZATION

REF: ATHENS 1547

THESSALONI 00000054 001.2 OF 002



1. (SBU) SUMMARY: New Interior DepMin Tzakri expects to be
given national policy responsibility for integration of
immigrants as well as regional responsibility for legal
immigration, implementation of new decentralization initiatives,
and general administration. Her role and duties will be defined
formally by government decree in the coming weeks. Contrary to
her public image, Tzakri proved smart, focused, well informed,
and capable. She stated that her door was open at all times for
any issue the CG wished to raise and expressed enthusiasm for
working with the USG on matters of mutual interest, such as
enhancing cooperation among countries in the region on
immigration issues. END SUMMARY.




2. (SBU) Consul General paid an initial courtesy call on
Thessaloniki-based Deputy Minister of Interior, Decentralization
and E-Governance Theodora Tzakri on 23 November. [NOTE:
Tzakri's position and the parallel Deputy Minister for Economy,
Competitiveness and Marine affairs were established in
Thessaloniki in October by the incoming PASOK Government to
absorb many of the roles previously performed by the now-defunct
Ministry for Macedonia and Thrace. See reftel for further
details on post-election ministerial restructuring. END NOTE.]
CG expressed USG interest in working closely and cooperatively
with Tzakri and her staff and inquired about her expected
portfolio, new Ministry policy on immigration issues and planned
administrative reforms.




3. (SBU) STRUCTURE/PORTFOLIO: DepMin Tzakri stated that
currently, her offices and staff are comprised of the same
Directorates and positions inherited from the recently
eliminated Ministry of Macedonia and Thrace. However, these
structures will change upon signature of a GoG decree in the
coming weeks which will specify the new authorities and
responsibilities of her position. Following the issuance of
that decree, she anticipates an internal reshuffle involving the
closing and/or reorganization of certain Directorates and the

possible creation of additional ones. However, Tzakri was
disciplined about providing details before the decree language
had been finalized. She did state that she had specifically
requested to be given national-level responsibility for policy
on integration of legal immigrants and expected this request to
be honored.




4. (SBU) IMMIGRATION: Tzakri confirmed that the GoG had
decided to give Interior responsibility for legal immigration
and made clear that illegal immigration now fell within the
purview of the new Ministry for Citizens' Protection (formerly
Public Order). With regard to her personal priorities in this
field, she stressed that it was imperative that the integration
of legal immigrants into Greek society be facilitated by the
GoG, as immigrants' contribution to all aspects of public life
was "undisputed." She revealed that among several pieces of
legislation currently under development was a bill that would
grant voting rights in local elections to second-generation
immigrants and third-country nationals with stable and
documented relations with Greece. Since the legislation is
still being drafted, Tsakri was unable to provide specific
details on the criteria for receiving such voting rights, but
anticipated that Amcit spouses of Greek citizens residing
permanently in Greece would qualify. She reported that the GoG
planned to pass the legislation by Spring 2010 so that it could
be implemented in the Fall 2010 local elections. Asked about
potential popular reaction to the measure, Tzakri stated she was
confident that the bulk of the electorate was "mature" and would
back the decision. She did anticipate a few extreme reactions
from far right wing parties, but believed they "would certainly
not be able to turn the tide."




5. (SBU) CG noted that police, coast guard, military, and port
officials from Northern Greece all had expressed interest to her
in improving cooperation with their counterparts from
neighboring countries on issues related to both legal and
illegal immigration. She underscored USG interest in
facilitating such dialog, where we could be of assistance.
DepMin Tzakri warmly welcomed our interest, pledged her
cooperation on issues related to legal immigration, and offered

THESSALONI 00000054 002.2 OF 002


her good offices with Ministry of Citizens' Protection on
illegal immigration matters. She acknowledged the Consulate's
natural interest in all issues affecting the 14,000 Amcits
resident in Northern Greece and confirmed that her door would be
open for any issue the CG needed to bring to her.




6. (SBU) ADMINISTRATIVE REFORM/DECENTRALIZATION: DepMin Tzakri
stressed that the GoG was committed to uphold its pre-election
pledge for "the widest possible decentralization of power."
Therefore, it was only looking to handle centrally a "small core
of issues" and devolve the rest to the level of Periphery
(Region),Nomos (Province),and Municipality, with the aim to
strengthen and upgrade governmental services at these levels.
She said that new legislation currently under development will
convert Thessaloniki, Athens, and other major cities to
Metropolitan Centers and will grant greater autonomy to the
provinces and regions (NFI). The legal committee that is
drafting the final proposal to be submitted to the GoG is
expected to conclude its work by early Spring 2010 with the
intent being to pass the legislation well in advance of Fall
elections. The second phase of new legislation, to begin after
local elections have concluded, will include devolution of
certain budget and tax authority from the central government to
the enhanced municipal, provincial, and regional authorities.




7. (SBU) BIO NOTE: Theodora Tzakri was born in the northern
town of Giannitsa (Prefecture of Pella). The 39-year old lawyer
is a graduate of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and has
been a Member of Parliament since 2004. In the period
2007-2009, she was a member of the all-party parliamentary
Committee on Public Administration, Public Order and Justice.
She also participated in the parliamentary Fact-Finding
Committee which investigated the land exchange "Vatopedi"
scandal. Her critics have ridiculed her in the press for being
"less-than-acceptably" articulate and "insisting on talking too
much, too fast" and have posted unflattering videos of her on
the internet. For the same reason, she has also been the
subject of a satirical television show. Her supporters have
responded that her "debatable" speaking skills should not
undermine the great work she has done so far and the clear
political potential they believe she has. Ms. Tzakri has
rudimentary English; her listening comprehension appears
stronger than her speaking ability.




8. (SBU) COMMENT: Despite her spotty public reputation, Tzakri
proved smart, knowledgeable, articulate, and professional. She
was disciplined when describing both her potential portfolio and
the policy initiatives still under internal GoG development,
being careful not to speculate about undecided issues or to
exaggerate her anticipated scope of authority. Tzakri appears
to have given serious thought not just to the policy content of
the reforms under consideration, but also to the operational and
political aspects of their implementation. Whether she has the
managerial acumen required to successfully implement all of
PASOK's new initiatives in a region whose ego is still smarting
from the loss of the Ministry for Macedonia and Thrace remains
to be seen. But she does seem sincere in her desire to work
closely and cooperatively with us on issues of mutual interest.
END COMMENT.
KAY