Greek Views on February 2010 FAC

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E.O. 12958: DECL: 2020/02/18
TAGS: PREL PGOV EUN GR
SUBJECT: Greek Views on February 2010 FAC

REF: ELIZABETH KONICK EMAIL 02/18/2010; 10 ATHENS 109

CLASSIFIED BY: George Frowick, Political Counselor; REASON: 1.4(B),
(D)


1. (C) On February 18, Poloff discussed Ref A points on U.S.
positions on the February 22 FAC (Foreign Affairs Council) with
Alexandros Ioannidis, European Correspondent in the MFA A11
Security and Defense Policy (ESDP) Division. Ioannidis said the
FAC's agenda would focus on Iran, Ukraine (over lunch),
Afghanistan, and possibly the Libya-Swiss visa disagreement, and
Belarus. Haiti might be discussed either in the FAC or the GAC
(General Affairs Council). Ioannidis stated that, for the coming
year, Greece's foreign policy engagement outside of its immediate
region would be "substantially limited" by the domestic economic
crisis and deteriorating government finances.




2. (C) IRAN: Greek views on Iran largely remained largely
unchanged (with a preference towards UN-sanctioned action) but with
a "bit more willingness to be aggressive." The EU was increasingly
unwilling to wait for China to come around on Iran sanctions.
Greece would support any EU consensus on sanctions.




3. (C) UKRAINE: The FAC would discuss post-elections cooperation
with Ukraine over lunch, and HR Ashton wanted a "free exchange of
views." Ioannidis noted that Greece agreed that the election had
been largely free and fair, and Prime Minister Papandreou had
congratulated Yanukovych on his election victory, but also said
Greece thought it important to closely monitor Russian actions and
views towards the new government.




4. (C) HAITI: Ioannidis said the Greeks preferred any Haiti
discussion to be held in the GAC. He noted that Deputy Foreign
Minister Kouvelis led an aid mission to Haiti on February 8 and met
with President Preval and the Haitian Prime Minister. Greece
wanted more support and attention towards the Dominican Republic,
which as Haiti's neighbor was shouldering a substantial spillover
burden for relief efforts. Greece also remained ready to second 30
officers to MINUSTAH. (COMMENT: Per Ref B, UNDPKO already decided
not to pursue the Greek offer since the small contingent would not
be self-sufficient. END COMMENT.) Lastly, Greece would urge its
EU partners to ensure that, per UNESCO guidelines, Haiti's cultural
heritage was preserved during reconstruction.




5. (C) AFGHANISTAN, LIBYA-SWITZERLAND, BELARUS: Ioannidis said a
few minutes would be devoted to an announcement about the EU
Special Representative in Afghanistan (EUSRA). Also, the FAC might
discuss the ongoing dispute between Libya and Switzerland, which
recently resulted in Libya turning back all EU nationals at its
borders. Poland wanted to include a discussion about Belarus'
treatment of its Polish minority.
MCCARTHY