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OO RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLN
RUEHLZ RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUEHTH #0258/01 0561443
ZNR UUUUU ZH
O 251443Z FEB 08
FM AMEMBASSY ATHENS
T RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1266
INFO RUEZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHMFIUU/NAVSUPPACT SOUDA BAY GR PRIORITY
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0291

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ATHENS 000258 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV MK GR
SUBJECT: GREECE/MACEDONIA:  PM KARAMANLIS REITERATES VETO 
IF NO SOLUTION 
 
 
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - PROTECT ACCORDINGLY 
 
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SUMMARY 
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¶1.  (U) In response to Parliamentary Questions, PM Karamanlis 
publicly reiterated that Greece will block a NATO invitation 
to Macedonia absent a name agreement, while reiterating 
desire to reach agreement.  Greek opposition parties have 
loudly criticized any "dual name" solution, favoring a change 
in Macedonia's constitutional name.  Weekend press dissected 
the leaked Nimetz proposal, with most commentators focusing 
on flaws.  Meanwhile two polls were published that show 
strong opposition to any "dual name" and strong support for a 
Greek veto of a NATO invitation to Macedonia.  Finally, UN 
envoy Nimetz told influential "Kathimerini" that he will be 
"objective" and "even handed" and plans another round of 
talks soon in New York.  End Summary. 
 
--------------------------------------------- -- 
Karamanlis to Parliament -- Veto If No Solution 
--------------------------------------------- -- 
 
¶2.  (U) The PM's question time with Parliament on 2/22 became 
heated as opposition MPs challenged GOG policy on Macedonia. 
In response to criticisms against the GOG's policies, 
Karamanlis responded that "no solution means no invitation" 
for Macedonia.  Karamanlis added that Macedonia's NATO and EU 
aspirations depend on "proof" Macedonia can be "a real ally 
and partner."  This means it must "arrive at a mutually 
acceptable solution to the outstanding issues regarding its 
name." 
 
¶3.  (U) Opposition PASOK President Papandreou also criticized 
the leak of the Nimetz plan to the Greek press.  FM 
Bakoyannis had previously publicly announced that she assumed 
"political responsibility" for the leak, and we understand 
that the MFA is doing a robust leak investigation. 
Karamanlis noted that the leak had "does not help," and 
reminded Papandreou that when he had been Foreign Minister 
there had also been a number of leaks of sensitive documents. 
 
¶4.  (U) Meanwhile, FM Bakoyannis has continued to take the 
high road in public comments, telling reporters that Greece 
seeks a solution "based on consensus, reality, and national 
dignity" on both sides.  At a swearing-in ceremony for new 
conscripts, DefMin Meimarakis stressed that Greece will seek 
a solution through "dialogue and peaceful resolution of 
problems," but Greece will not accept any "threats against 
territorial integrity" or any "affronts to national 
principles."  The ruling party Governor of Thessaloniki told 
reporters, "Macedonia cannot be bargained away or sold. 
Veto!"  Finally, Metropolitan of Thessaloniki Anthimos called 
from the pulpit 2/24 for popular demonstrations against a 
dual name solution and for the government to veto Macedonia's 
accession into NATO and the EU; although not responding 
directly, new Archbishop Ieronymos reiterated that he wanted 
no role in "public debate on foreign affairs." 
 
-------------------- 
Opposition Criticism 
-------------------- 
 
¶5.  (U) Greece's opposition parties have, uniformly, 
criticized government handling of the issue: 
 
-- PASOK:  In an exclusive interview in influential "Ta Nea," 
Papandreou said PASOK opposes any "double name solution," and 
he criticized the government for agreeing to negotiate on 
that basis. 
 
-- Greece's communist party (KKE) leadership have also 
accused the government of "lying about a veto" on the name 
issue, while leftist party SYN President Alexis Tsipras has 
called for a composite name with a geographic reference. 
 
------------------------------------------ 
Press Commentary -- Nimetz Proposal Flawed 
------------------------------------------ 
 
¶6.  (SBU) The Nimetz proposal was the overwhelming favorite 
subject of Greece's op-ed and editorial writers over the 
weekend.  Those focused on the proposal itself noted its 
flaws, including the absence of a requirement for Skopje to 
amend its constitutional name and the inclusion in the 
proposal of names that do not contain geographic modifiers. 
Weekend press also speculated about friction between PM 
Karamanlis and FM Bakoyannis on the issue and examined a 
 
ATHENS 00000258  002 OF 002 
 
 
non-paper circulated by the MFA to MPs.  (Note:  Although it 
would not be surprising if there were Karamanlis/Bakoyannis 
frictions on the name issue, we continue to see indications 
that FM Bakoyannis is consulting very closely with PM 
Karamanlis on all aspects of this issue.  End Note). 
 
--------------------------------------- 
Polls:  No Dual Name and No NATO Invite 
--------------------------------------- 
 
¶7.  (U) On Sunday, two separate polls were published on the 
issue.  In one poll: 
 
-- 70.4 percent of respondents rejected use of the term 
"Macedonia" in any new name for Macedonia; and 
 
-- 66.6 percent rejected a double name solution. 
 
In the other poll: 
 
-- 59.3 percent of respondents said Greece should veto 
Macedonia joining NATO If the United States pressured Greece 
to accept the latest Nimetz proposal; and 
 
-- Only 5.3 percent said Greece should accept the Nimetz 
proposal. 
 
¶8.  (SBU) Comment:  Although polling is well-developed in 
Greece, we cannot be certain that these polls were 
methodologically sound, and we note that some of the 
questions were drafted in a leading manner.  However these 
polls, and others showing similar results in the past, have 
now become part of the public dialogue on the Macedonia name 
issue.  End Comment. 
 
---------------------------------- 
Nimetz Pledges Fairness/More Talks 
---------------------------------- 
 
¶9.  (U) Finally, "Kathimerini" ran on Sunday an interview 
with Nimetz that has received wide coverage.  Nimetz noted 
that he will be "objective and even-handed" with both sides. 
He added that he plans to call a new round of talks in New 
York "very soon" once the two sides have sent "official word" 
that they have completed their review of his proposal and are 
ready to provide a detailed response. 
SPECKHARD