VZCZCXRO6186
RR RUEHIK
DE RUEHTH #0078/01 0181442
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 181442Z JAN 08
FM AMEMBASSY ATHENS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1034
INFO RUEHIK/AMCONSUL THESSALONIKI 1758
RUEHNC/AMEMBASSY NICOSIA 2919
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ATHENS 000078 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR ECA/PE/C/CU 
EUR/SE GCOWAN, EUR/PPD SALTMAN-WINANS 
THESSALONIKI FOR CONGEN 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: GR
SUBJECT: Greek Minister of Education Discusses Reform with New 
Ambassador 
 
Refs: A) 06 ATHENS1507 B) 06 ATHENS 1556 C) 07 ATHENS 2119 
 
¶1. (SBU) Summary:  On January 3, 2008, the Ambassador and CAO paid a 
courtesy call on Greek Minister of Education and Religious Affairs 
Evripides Stylianides.  During a wide ranging discussion, 
Stylianides affirmed his desire to include American-affiliated 
educational institutions in any reforms that recognize degrees 
and/or professional qualifications but acknowledged the difficulties 
in amending the Greek Constitution to enable these reforms.  He 
suggested that the Ambassador convince the opposition PASOK party 
leader George Papandreou to support the reforms.  If reform efforts 
fail, he also suggested alternate strategies for American-affiliated 
institutions to remain competitive.  During the very cordial 
conversation, Minister Stylianides also reiterated his interest in 
sending a delegation to the U.S. to learn more about the U.S. 
educational system, including charter schools through which the 
Ministry can advance Greek studies.  End Summary 
 
¶2. (SBU) On January 3, 2008, Ambassador Daniel V. Speckhard and 
Cultural Affairs Officer Gloria Berbena paid a courtesy call on 
Greek Minister of Education and Religious Affairs Evripides 
Stylianides.  This was Ambassador Speckhard?s first opportunity to 
meet Minister Stylianides since presenting his credentials in 
November 2007.  Minister Stylianides welcomed the call and engaged 
in a frank, cordial discussion about the challenges of running a 
Ministry with over 200,000 civil servants, amounting to 
approximately one third of the Greek public sector.  He highlighted 
his efforts to improve management of the Ministry, to provide laptop 
computers to every student through an affiliation with Microsoft, to 
shift classroom emphasis to environmental, cultural, and 
multi-lingual subjects, and to improve the training and recruitment 
of qualified teachers.  He particularly lamented the often poor 
quality of Greek teachers today, compared with previous 
generations. 
 
¶3.  (SBU) The conversation eventually focused on the proposed 
education reforms, particularly amendment of Article 16 of the Greek 
Constitution.  Ambassador Speckhard voiced his concern about the 
current, constitutionally mandated discrimination against private, 
non-state schools (see reftels) and about the additional probability 
that local, private EU schools will gain an advantage over local, 
private American schools if the EU 2005/36 Directive is implemented 
in Greece without special consideration of the American 
institutions.  He also noted his concern about accreditation 
standards that might be imposed that would be disadvantageous to 
U.S. institutions.  He asked how the U.S. Embassy could help advance 
much needed educational reform to create a more level playing field 
for U.S. educational institutions. 
 
¶4. (SBU) While acknowledging that a Constitutional amendment would 
be the most clear cut solution, Minister Stylianides underscored the 
difficulties in amending the Constitution during this Parliamentary 
session.  He suggested that Ambassador Speckhard talk directly to 
opposition PASOK party leader George Papandreou to convince him to 
revert to his former position of support (abandoned due to party and 
academic pressure).  Minister Stylianides suggested a soft approach, 
noting that if Papandreou wants to be Prime Minister again, he needs 
to cater to the center which recognizes that education reform is 
essential if Greece is to remain competitive in shifting markets. 
Stylianides said he too is adopting a soft approach to the 
opposition to leave open a door to maneuver.  Stylianides suggested 
that Papandreou could propose an executive legislative provision as 
part of the Constitutional amendment process that could protect the 
role of public universities but give a place for private 
universities to be recognized.  Stylianides said if Papandreou will 
not table this kind of legislative solution then he will do so, 
however, he feels it will be more effective coming from Papandreou 
and wants to give him a chance to broker a solution.  Stylianides 
dismissed our concerns over accreditation standards noting that this 
could be worked out if fundamental Constitutional reform could be 
achieved. 
 
¶5. (SBU)  As an alternative path, Minister Stylianides noted that 
the EU court might also force Greece to recognize EU degrees per the 
EU 2005/36 Directive and that it might be possible to include 
language that would include U.S. schools in subsequent recognition. 
He admitted, however, that it was unclear when or how that decision 
would be taken. 
 
¶6. (SBU) As a more immediate, practical option, Stylianides 
suggested that U.S. schools might want to find a ?mother university? 
within the EU, particularly in Cyprus, with which to affiliate so 
the American schools could enjoy the benefits extended to EU 
institutions. 
 
ATHENS 00000078  002 OF 002 
 
 
 
¶7. (SBU) On a final note, Minister Stylianides reaffirmed his 
interest in sending a Greek delegation to the U.S. to meet with U.S. 
Department of Education counterparts, and representatives at the 
state and local levels, to learn more about the U.S. education 
system.  He also wanted the delegation to explore the mechanism of 
charter schools to advance the teaching of Hellenic studies in the 
U.S.  He said Ministry of Education Secretary General Ambassador 
Dimitris Platis would contact the U.S. Embassy soon to follow-up. 
 
¶8.  (SBU) Comment:  There are two distinct tracks that may or may 
not move forward that will affect the viability of American 
educational institutions in Greece.  The first is reform of Article 
16 of the Greek Constitution.  Minister Stylianides is right to seek 
allies to try to convince PASOK to support the amendment. In his 
departure call on opposition leader George Papandreou, former 
Ambassador Ries raised this issue.  Ambassador Speckhard will also 
discuss in his first call on Mr. Papandreou.  Given the political 
realities, however, it is unlikely that Papandreou will change his 
mind and Minister Stylianides recognizes this. 
 
¶9.  (SBU) The second track is Greece?s response to the EU 2005/36 
Directive and the related EU court ruling.  Our consistent message 
to the Greeks is that any legislation that is drafted to meet 
Greece?s obligations to the EU and the EU court should include, and 
not disadvantage, American institutions. 
 
¶10.  (SBU) Minister Stylianides is a pragmatist.  He clearly 
believes education reform is needed but seems to think a 
Constitutional amendment is unlikely.  He was also very vague about 
the timing and nature of Greece?s response to the EU 2005/36 
Directive and the EU court ruling.  His suggestion of alternatives 
for U.S. institutions to consider reflect his practical assessment 
of political realities and his interest in trying to find logical, 
last ditch remedies for American institutions to pursue if there is 
no Constitutional Amendment and if the GoG fails to implement 
legislation that includes American schools. In this dark scenario, 
these schools will have no choice but to affiliate with British or 
other EU universities.  If forced to do so, we will likely see a 
gradual erosion of the ?American? educational model and style which 
has characterized these institutions and their contribution to 
Greece for over 100 years.  End Comment. 
SPECKHARD