To ΓΑΠ παει ΠΡΕΣΒΕΙΑ – ΑΠΟΚΛΕΙΣΤΙΚΟ – ΒΟΜΒΑ -

Από τον Πόρτα – ΠόρταΓΑΠ.. ΣΟΥ ΚΡΑΤΑΩ ΣΗΜΕΙΩΣΕΙΣ… ΑΓΟΡΑΑΚΙ ΜΟΥC O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ATHENS 000207SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/13/2019

TURKEY AND AEGEAN
—————–

¶6. (C) Ambassador noted that if not managed well, disputes
between Greece and Turkey over the Aegean could easily spin
out of control, and he reminded Papandreou

that PASOK as the
main opposition had a special responsibility not to use
Aegean issues to score political points. Papandreou believed
PASOK had been responsible on Turkey/Aegean issues, and he
recounted his own experience as foreign minister in dealing
with the Turks. He had told the Turks that if they were
really interested in seizing Greek islands, the two countries
would be irreconcilable, but if they were interested in the
question of Turkish access to Aegean seaways, then there was
room for discussion.

Presuming the latter as a basis, the MFA under Papandreou had begun the semi-secret Exploratory Talks,

which still continue, and had sought to tie Turkey’s
EU accession process to solution of Aegean issues. The
Karamanlis government, by contrast, had dropped the ball and
only engaged with Turkey periodically. What was needed,
Papandreou argued, was “daily nurturing” and not waiting for
fate to come up with solutions. On this score, PASOK had a
“New National Strategy” ready to deploy.

COMMENT
——-

¶7. (C) Papandreou was very positive about the new
administration and anxious to be helpful in engaging on
international issues of common concern. He displayed an easy
facility with the issues and exuded confidence that PASOK
under his leadership could do a much better job than the New
Democracy government of PM Karamanlis.

While increasing his international stature would help his domestic political
ambitions, it was clear from the discussion that Papandreou
is passionate about international affairs and sincere in his
desire to contribute to addressing the world’s problems. It
is worth giving additional thought as to whether the
administration could use Papandreou’s extensive international
contacts and leadership role of the Socialist International
to strengthen cooperation of countries in support of specific
U.S. foreign policy objectives.
SPECKHARD

ΟΧΙ ΟΤΙ ΔΕΝ ΓΝΩΡΙΖΑΜΕ….. το ρολο ΓΑΠ…

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Viewing cable 09ATHENS207, PASOK LEADER PAPANDREOU READY TO ASSIST ON GLOBAL CHALLENGES
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Reference ID

Created

Released

Classification

Origin

09ATHENS2072009-02-18 05:032011-08-30 01:44CONFIDENTIALEmbassy Athens

VZCZCXRO4983
OO RUEHBC RUEHDB