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DE RUEHTH #2068 2901427
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O 171427Z OCT 07
FM AMEMBASSY ATHENS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0534
INFO RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHSQ/AMEMBASSY SKOPJE PRIORITY 1091 C O N F I D E N T I A L ATHENS 002068 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/17/2017 
TAGS:        
SUBJECT: GREECE/MACEDONIA: POLITICAL PARTIES REACT TO FM 
BRIEFING 
 
 
Classified By: POLCOUNS ROBIN QUINVILLE FOR REASONS 1.4 (B,D). 
 
 1.  (C) Greek focus on the Macedonia name issue continued on 
October 16 when FM Dora Bakoyannis briefed the Cabinet on 
developments.  In her comments after the meeting, FM 
Bakoyannis again stressed the importance of finding a 
mutually acceptable name that is &composite and distinct,8 
distinguishing the country as a separate geographical entity 
from Greek Macedonia.  She also noted that "Greek diplomacy 
is awaiting initiatives and a new proposal by Mr. Nimetz." 
FM Bakoyannis added the issue would be discussed by the 
National Foreign Affairs Council -- a body comprised of all 
of the political parties in Parliament -- once opposition 
party PASOK has elected its new leadership. 
 
 2.  (C) Several of Greece's political parties took the 
opportunity to express their views following FM Bakoyannis' 
remarks to the press.  Several New Democracy party leaders 
reiterated the need for a name describing the country's 
geographic identity without using the term "Macedonia.8 
George Karatzaferis, leader of extreme-right Popular Orthodox 
Rally (LAOS) stated that LAOS would oppose any solution with 
the word "Macedonia" in the new name.  The (Communist) KKE 
and (Left Coalition) SYRIZA have long favored a compound name 
as a solution.  SYRIZA leader Alekos Alavanos added that the 
new name should contain the term "Macedonia" and be mutually 
acceptable to the two sides.  Finally, given its internal 
leadership struggles, major opposition party PASOK has not 
recently laid out any formal position on the issue. 
 
 3.  (C)  In addition to the statements in the press, GoG 
public affairs officials are increasingly focused on this 
issue in bilateral discussions.  In a courtesy call by 
incoming IO and AIO on Monday, Minister Of Communication 
Roussopoulos cited the name issue as the key foreign policy 
issue facing the new U.S. Ambassador, noting that pressure is 
building on the Greek government to maintain a hard line, 
including from the extreme right.  Last Friday, MFA Spokesman 
Koumoutsakos noted that a Greek veto "is not only possible, 
but likely unless things change.  As a regional leader, 
Greece can't be humiliated like this by such a small country, 
and you shouldn't want us to be.  We certainly can't afford 
to lose twice, on this issue and on Kosovo independence.8 
On Oct. 16, according to another Embassy media source, the 
Foreign Minister herself had lunch with top-circulation, 
populist daily Ta Nea, telling the editors in confidence that 
the &young people8 now in power in Skopje just don't get it 
when it comes to Balkan history. 
COUNTRYMAN