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PP RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDBU RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLN
RUEHLZ RUEHNP RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSK RUEHSL RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUEHIK #0054/01 3351500
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 011500Z DEC 09
FM AMCONSUL THESSALONIKI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0500
INFO RUEHTH/AMEMBASSY ATHENS PRIORITY 0375
RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RUEFHLC/DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEHIK/AMCONSUL THESSALONIKI 0543

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 THESSALONIKI 000054 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR EUR/SE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL SMIG PINR PHUM CACS SOCI GR
SUBJECT: NEW INTERIOR DEPMIN TO FOCUS ON LEGAL IMMIGRATION AND 
DECENTRALIZATION 
 
REF: ATHENS 1547 
 
THESSALONI 00000054  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
¶1.  (SBU) SUMMARY:  New Interior DepMin Tzakri expects to be 
given national policy responsibility for integration of 
immigrants as well as regional responsibility for legal 
immigration, implementation of new decentralization initiatives, 
and general administration.  Her role and duties will be defined 
formally by government decree in the coming weeks.  Contrary to 
her public image, Tzakri proved smart, focused, well informed, 
and capable.  She stated that her door was open at all times for 
any issue the CG wished to raise and expressed enthusiasm for 
working with the USG on matters of mutual interest, such as 
enhancing cooperation among countries in the region on 
immigration issues.  END SUMMARY. 
 
 
 
¶2.  (SBU) Consul General paid an initial courtesy call on 
Thessaloniki-based Deputy Minister of Interior, Decentralization 
and E-Governance Theodora Tzakri on 23 November.  [NOTE: 
Tzakri's position and the parallel Deputy Minister for Economy, 
Competitiveness and Marine affairs were established in 
Thessaloniki in October by the incoming PASOK Government to 
absorb many of the roles previously performed by the now-defunct 
Ministry for Macedonia and Thrace.  See reftel for further 
details on post-election ministerial restructuring.  END NOTE.] 
CG expressed USG interest in working closely and cooperatively 
with Tzakri and her staff and inquired about her expected 
portfolio, new Ministry policy on immigration issues and planned 
administrative reforms. 
 
 
 
¶3.  (SBU) STRUCTURE/PORTFOLIO:  DepMin Tzakri stated that 
currently, her offices and staff are comprised of the same 
Directorates and positions inherited from the recently 
eliminated Ministry of Macedonia and Thrace.  However, these 
structures will change upon signature of a GoG decree in the 
coming weeks which will specify the new authorities and 
responsibilities of her position.  Following the issuance of 
that decree, she anticipates an internal reshuffle involving the 
closing and/or reorganization of certain Directorates and the 
possible creation of additional ones.  However, Tzakri was 
disciplined about providing details before the decree language 
had been finalized.  She did state that she had specifically 
requested to be given national-level responsibility for policy 
on integration of legal immigrants and expected this request to 
be honored. 
 
 
 
¶4.  (SBU) IMMIGRATION:  Tzakri confirmed that the GoG had 
decided to give Interior responsibility for legal immigration 
and made clear that illegal immigration now fell within the 
purview of the new Ministry for Citizens' Protection (formerly 
Public Order).  With regard to her personal priorities in this 
field, she stressed that it was imperative that the integration 
of legal immigrants into Greek society be facilitated by the 
GoG, as immigrants' contribution to all aspects of public life 
was "undisputed."  She revealed that among several pieces of 
legislation currently under development was a bill that would 
grant voting rights in local elections to second-generation 
immigrants and third-country nationals with stable and 
documented relations with Greece.  Since the legislation is 
still being drafted, Tsakri was unable to provide specific 
details on the criteria for receiving such voting rights, but 
anticipated that Amcit spouses of Greek citizens residing 
permanently in Greece would qualify.  She reported that the GoG 
planned to pass the legislation by Spring 2010 so that it could 
be implemented in the Fall 2010 local elections.  Asked about 
potential popular reaction to the measure, Tzakri stated she was 
confident that the bulk of the electorate was "mature" and would 
back the decision.  She did anticipate a few extreme reactions 
from far right wing parties, but believed they "would certainly 
not be able to turn the tide." 
 
 
 
¶5.  (SBU) CG noted that police, coast guard, military, and port 
officials from Northern Greece all had expressed interest to her 
in improving cooperation with their counterparts from 
neighboring countries on issues related to both legal and 
illegal immigration.  She underscored USG interest in 
facilitating such dialog, where we could be of assistance. 
DepMin Tzakri warmly welcomed our interest, pledged her 
cooperation on issues related to legal immigration, and offered 
 
THESSALONI 00000054  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
her good offices with Ministry of Citizens' Protection on 
illegal immigration matters.  She acknowledged the Consulate's 
natural interest in all issues affecting the 14,000 Amcits 
resident in Northern Greece and confirmed that her door would be 
open for any issue the CG needed to bring to her. 
 
 
 
¶6.  (SBU) ADMINISTRATIVE REFORM/DECENTRALIZATION:  DepMin Tzakri 
stressed that the GoG was committed to uphold its pre-election 
pledge for "the widest possible decentralization of power." 
Therefore, it was only looking to handle centrally a "small core 
of issues" and devolve the rest to the level of Periphery 
(Region), Nomos (Province), and Municipality, with the aim to 
strengthen and upgrade governmental services at these levels. 
She said that new legislation currently under development will 
convert Thessaloniki, Athens, and other major cities to 
Metropolitan Centers and will grant greater autonomy to the 
provinces and regions (NFI).  The legal committee that is 
drafting the final proposal to be submitted to the GoG is 
expected to conclude its work by early Spring 2010 with the 
intent being to pass the legislation well in advance of Fall 
elections.  The second phase of new legislation, to begin after 
local elections have concluded, will include devolution of 
certain budget and tax authority from the central government to 
the enhanced municipal, provincial, and regional authorities. 
 
 
 
¶7.  (SBU) BIO NOTE:  Theodora Tzakri was born in the northern 
town of Giannitsa (Prefecture of Pella).  The 39-year old lawyer 
is a graduate of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and has 
been a Member of Parliament since 2004.  In the period 
2007-2009, she was a member of the all-party parliamentary 
Committee on Public Administration, Public Order and Justice. 
She also participated in the parliamentary Fact-Finding 
Committee which investigated the land exchange "Vatopedi" 
scandal.  Her critics have ridiculed her in the press for being 
"less-than-acceptably" articulate and "insisting on talking too 
much, too fast" and have posted unflattering videos of her on 
the internet.  For the same reason, she has also been the 
subject of a satirical television show.  Her supporters have 
responded that her "debatable" speaking skills should not 
undermine the great work she has done so far and the clear 
political potential they believe she has.  Ms. Tzakri has 
rudimentary English; her listening comprehension appears 
stronger than her speaking ability. 
 
 
 
¶8.  (SBU) COMMENT:  Despite her spotty public reputation, Tzakri 
proved smart, knowledgeable, articulate, and professional.  She 
was disciplined when describing both her potential portfolio and 
the policy initiatives still under internal GoG development, 
being careful not to speculate about undecided issues or to 
exaggerate her anticipated scope of authority.  Tzakri appears 
to have given serious thought not just to the policy content of 
the reforms under consideration, but also to the operational and 
political aspects of their implementation.  Whether she has the 
managerial acumen required to successfully implement all of 
PASOK's new initiatives in a region whose ego is still smarting 
from the loss of the Ministry for Macedonia and Thrace remains 
to be seen.  But she does seem sincere in her desire to work 
closely and cooperatively with us on issues of mutual interest. 
END COMMENT. 
KAY