Wikileaks - DCLXII
98844 3/2/2007 15:18 07ATHENS458 Embassy Athens CONFIDENTIAL 07STATE23592 VZCZCXRO3619 OO RUEHAG RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHTH #0458 0611518 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 021518Z MAR 07 FM AMEMBASSY ATHENS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8308 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHBM/AMEMBASSY BUCHAREST PRIORITY 0930 RUEHSF/AMEMBASSY SOFIA PRIORITY 1511 C O N F I D E N T I A L ATHENS 000458
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/01/2017 TAGS: PREL, PGOV, ENRG, EUN, KPAL, BK, YI, IS, IR, AF, SU, UZ SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: MARCH 5-6 GAERC MEETING
REF: STATE 23592
Classified By: Political Counselor Robin Quinville for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
(C) PolOff delivered the reftel demarche to Ioannis Vikelidis of the C1 Department for European Union (EU) External Affairs on February 27. During their meeting on March 2, Vikilidis noted that neither energy nor climate issues would likely be on the GAERC agenda (nor would issues related to the Human Rights Council). On other points:
-- Bosnia: Vikelidis reported that the Council will focus on the decision of the PIC Steering Board. He added that there will be conclusions about this development and about the implementation of the four (4) conditions needed to conclude the negotiations for the SAA.
-- Kosovo: Vikelidis said that this topic will not be on the agenda for the GAERC. Vikelidis hypothesized that this was due to a desire to remain impartial in the face of the ongoing Vienna talks and/or an unwillingness to influence the outcome of the talks. He said that although these were not topics which are on the formal agenda, any participant in the GAERC could bring it up for discussion. Similarly, the situation in Serbia was not on the GAERC agenda.
-- Israel - Palestinian Issues: Vikelidis began by noting the recent meeting of the Secretary with Prime Ministers Olmert and Abbas on February 19. He said that the GAERC will discuss ways in which to follow up on that meeting and will discuss "the perspectives of the formation of the National Unity Government."
-- Iran: Vikelidis reported that the only issue of discussion on this topic will be Iran's nuclear program and the stance to be adopted by the international community. He stated that there will be council conclusions on this matter and added that the council will discuss the best methods "to give impetus to UNSCR 1735 in light of Iran's non-compliance and how to persuade Tehran that the will of the international community is for Iran tk reTurn to talks."
-- Su$af/Darfur: Vikelidis said that he expecte$ the Council to discuss the political and humanitarian situation in Sudan. It wi,l focUs on the "perspectives of ao.Tr)buting to afd reinforcing" the African Misqi+n in Su$an. He also stated that, like the U.S., the EU regrets the continuing situation in Sudan. He expected that the EU would state that it deplores the attitude of the Sudanese government regarding its non-cooperation with the UN Human Rights Council High Level Assessment.
-- Uzbekistan: Vikelidis reported that the Council will express regret that the government of Uzbekistan decided - for the time being - not to continue talks with the EU regarding the events in Andijon one and half to two years ago.
-- Afghanistan: Vikelidis said that this topic will not be on the agenda for the GAERC and therefore, he had no comment. RIES
