This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ATHENS 000351 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/01/2009 
TAGS: GR IZ PGOV PREL IRAQ
SUBJECT: GREECE WELCOMES IRAQ ELECTIONS AS POSITIVE 
         DEVELOPMENT 
 
REF: ATHENS 313 
 
Classified By: PolCouns Karen Decker.  Reasons 1.4(b/d) 
 
¶1.  (C) The Government of Greece (GoG) made statements 
supporting democractic elections in Iraq on January 26 and 
again on January 31.  In a meeting with Ambassador on January 
26, FM Molyviatis called the elections "a manifestation of 
the will and courage of the Iraqi people," and reiterated 
Greek support for UNSCR 1546.  The Greek media's coverage 
(reftel) of the elections was generally straightforward, 
although one major paper said the elections took place under 
"American occupation."  The MFA's spokesperson took heat from 
reporters after his Jan 26 statement, when journalists 
questioned Greece's support for the elections in light of 
widespread ("99 percent") opposition in Greece to coalition 
activities in Iraq. 
 
¶2.  (U) The following statement appeared Jan 31 on the MFA 
website in Greek and English: 
 
The generally smooth holding - given the particular security 
conditions - of the first multi-party elections in Iraq in 50 
years, as well as the high voting turnout, is a positive 
development in an environment of great difficulties and 
problems that urgently need to be effectively confronted.  At 
the same time, however, in accordance with UN Security 
Council Resolution 1546/2004, yesterday's elections is the 
first of a series of necessary measures - such as the 
adoption of a Constitution and the election of a full-term 
government through elections in 2005 - that must be carried 
out with success in order to guarantee the smooth transition 
to a really democratic Iraq.  Greece, together with the 
European Union and the international community, stands by and 
supports the effort of the friendly people of Iraq, to build 
their future to the benefit not only of Iraq, but also of 
peace and stability in the whole region. 
 
¶3.  (U) Following Jan 24-25 working-level meetings and 
Ambassador's discussion with FM Molyviatis on Jan 26, the MFA 
Spokesman made the following remarks in his Jan 26 press 
conference: 
 
The Greek government, along with the rest of the 
international community and our EU partners, is monitoring 
with particular interest the struggle of the Iraqi people 
towards the building of a democratic society, and supports 
the election process of January 30 as an important step 
towards a better and democratic future.  It is the hope of 
the Greek government that the government produced by the 
elections of January 30 will be an expression of the will of 
the Iraqi people regarding the founding of a secure, 
prosperous, unified and democratic Iraqi state, within the 
framework of which will be secured the full respect of the 
human rights of all Iraqis, regardless of race, religion or 
political orientation, in accordance with the framework, and 
in the spirit of, the relevant UN resolutions. 
 
¶4.  (U) The MFA Spokesman's remarks were not released as a 
statement and received little press play in Greece in the 
run-up to the elections.  The following Q and A is 
instructive in setting the scene for how the Iraq issue is 
viewed by the media in Greece: 
 
-- Journalist:...do you think this (the pre-election period) 
is really a struggle for democratic elections in Iraq? 
 
-- MFA:...These elections must be a real step towards a 
better and more democratic future for the country, and it is 
as such a step that the Greek government sees them. 
 
-- Journalist: (off microphone) Yes, but 99 percent of Greek 
people disagree. Isn't that cause for concern? They disagree 
with the position you just stated. 
 
-- MFA:...I cannot be an interpreter of the views of the 
Greek people, but I don't think that there should be, and I 
don't think that there is, objection to a wish.  That is, for 
the upcoming elections to constitute a step towards something 
better. Is there anyone who says that the elections are a 
step in the wrong direction? 
 
-- Journalist: You made a statement essentially supporting 
the elections. You said that the Greek government supports 
the elections as an important step. Are you sure that these 
elections, being held under U.S. occupation, with torture, 
etc., are an important step? 
 
-- MFA: I repeat the relevant section of my statement: "It is 
our hope that the government resulting from the elections of 
January 30 . . ." It is the expression of a wish - a sincere 
wish. I think that we all understand each other here. The 
upcoming elections are a step in Iraq's history. No one can 
deny this. We hope that this step will be a step of progress 
that will lead to something better. If someone believes that 
it should be a step towards something worse, it would 
surprise and puzzle me as a position. 
 
¶5.  (C) COMMENT: In spite of the Greek public's hostility 
towards coalition activities in Iraq, the GoG found a way to 
make supportive statements both before and after the 
elections.   Some of the impetus for this decision comes from 
combined U.S. and Iraqi efforts in Athens (there is a new and 
energetic Iraqi ambassador in town now).  Greece also now has 
an ambassador in Baghdad, who (we are told) is in daily 
communication with the MFA.  We see this a good first step, 
laying the groundwork for Greek participation in multilateral 
activities in Iraq in the future.