US embassy cable - 05ATHENS2779

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ATHENS 002779 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EUR/SE, EUR/OHI, G/TIP 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL, PHUM, KIRF, GR, AMB 
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR VISITS IOANNINA, REAFFIRMS CLOSE TIES 
TO U.S. 
 
1.  (U) SUMMARY: In a full day of meetings with a range of 
political, diplomatic, community, and NGO leaders in the 
northwestern Epirus regional capital of Ioannina on October 
14, Ambassador emphasized U.S. interest in the region, 
possibilities for economic development, progress for 
religious and ethnic minority groups, and improvement in the 
trafficking in persons (TIP) situation.  Local leaders raised 
the Macedonia name issue, a range of issues with neighboring 
Albania, and the close historical ties between the region and 
the U.S.  Broad local media coverage of the visit was 
uniformly positive.  END SUMMARY. 
 
Prefect Focuses on Macedonia Name Issue 
--------------------------------------- 
2.  (U) During Ambassador's introductory meeting with 
Alexandros Kahrimanis, the Regional Prefect of Epirus, the 
Prefect gave a brief history of the region, noting the 
importance of the University of Ioannina and its 12,000 
students.  A Vlach-speaker himself, Kahrimanis described the 
Vlach-speaking people in Epirus (a linguistic minority 
descended from Roman populations in the Balkans) as an 
"integral part of Hellenism," but not as a minority per se. 
This segued into a monologue on the Macedonia name issue, 
where he opined that the neighboring country should get a 
complex new name that shows it is a new state, and that the 
most recent Nimetz proposal is a mistake that would cause 
"permanent problems."  Ambassador agreed with the Prefect 
that the U.S. also wants a solution that both sides consider 
fair, and that would allow the development of friendly 
relations.  Kahrimanis described relations with Albania, 
which shares the largest section of the border in Epirus, as 
"good," but cited criminal activity and illegal immigration 
as ongoing challenges.  He suggested that an electronic 
border crossing card for Albanians might reduce problems with 
visa irregularities. 
 
Mayor Discusses Close U.S.- Greece Ties 
--------------------------------------- 
3.  (U)  Nikolaos Gontas, the Mayor of the regional capital 
of Ioannina, focused on positive U.S.-Greece relations and 
the vital role the U.S. played by "saving" the thousands of 
Epirots who immigrated to the U.S. after WWII.  Based on his 
recent visit to numerous expatriate communities in the U.S., 
the Mayor said Epirot-Americans believe the U.S. is the only 
country where Greek immigrants were treated as equals and 
given every opportunity to succeed.  The Mayor described 
efforts to help economically develop neighboring Albania, 
calling improved economic relations "a bridge to improved 
political relations."  Finally, he described efforts to 
establish an international university in the city to attract 
students from the Balkans and Europe.  Ambassador and Gontas 
discussed regional economic and tourist development. 
 
Jewish Community Small but Strong 
--------------------------------- 
4.  (U) In his friendly meeting with Ambassador, Dr. Moses 
Ellisaf, a medical doctor, University professor and head of 
the Jewish Community of Ioannina, described the long history 
of the Greek-speaking Jews in Ioannina.  Numbering as many as 
4000 members in the 1900s, the community now has just 51 
members.  Dr. Ellisaf said the climate toward Jews in 
Ioannina has improved recently, and attributed fewer 
anti-Semitic incidents during the past two years to increased 
education efforts and the calmer situation in the Middle 
East, which he said has a direct relationship to local 
anti-Americanism and anti-Semitism.  (Note: The community's 
monuments were desecrated three times in 2003, but there have 
been no incidents since then.  End note.)  Ellisaf mentioned 
that the large Jewish-Epirot population that immigrated to 
the U.S. still supports the community.  Although Ioannina's 
synagogue, the largest in Greece, only holds services on High 
Holy days, there is an active "Synagogue of Ioannina" in 
Queens, NY.  Ambassador mentioned that he always visits 
Jewish Community representatives on regional trips, who 
provide a good indication of the general tolerance of a 
community. 
 
Anti-TIP NGO Looking for More GoG Action 
---------------------------------------- 
5.  (U)  Ambassador visited the offices and shelter of the 
local anti-TIP NGO in Ioannina, Center for the Research and 
Support for Victims of Maltreatment and Social Exclusion 
(CVME or "Ekythka" in Greek).  Its director, Anda Koublomati 
(an IV Candidate for 2005), described recent TIP trends, 
including the scarcity of identified victims in her region, 
and victims being married by traffickers to Greek citizens, 
then entering Greece legally based on this documentation. 
Koublomati said that Greek public awareness campaigns had not 
been effective yet, because they were not systematic or 
consistent.  Ambassador visited CVME's refurbished 11-bed 
shelter, which was bequeathed to the University of Ioannina 
by a local resident and offered gratis to the NGO.  Though 
somewhat critical of government progress on coordination, 
victim identification, and legal support, Koublomati said she 
has excellent cooperation with the authorities.  Unlike most 
Athens anti-TIP NGOs who seek funding from the MFA, CVME also 
receives local support, likely resulting in their better 
relations with the GoG.  She also described CVME's work at 
orphanages in Georgia in an effort to prevent trafficking of 
Georgian children.  (Note: There is a large Greek diaspora in 
Georgia.) 
 
Albanian CG satisfied with Level of GoG Cooperation 
--------------------------------------------- ------ 
6.  (U) The Albanian Consul General in Ioannina, Daut 
Goumeni, explained that the biggest problem of the  estimated 
50,000 to 60,000 Albanian immigrants in Epirus and Kozani is 
underemployment, but said integration of Albanians was slowly 
improving.  Goumeni was cautious in his remarks, reflecting 
his uncertainty as to whether the new Albanian government 
will keep him in his position.  Regarding trafficking of 
children, Goumeni remarked that the will exists to combat the 
problem, but greater inter-governmental coordination is 
needed.  Goumeni knew of no children trafficked into his 
region of responsibility, surmising that any trafficked 
children may go to larger cities.  Goumeni believed that the 
reduction in child-trafficking may be due to changes in 
Albanian law made two years ago which he said prevents 
children from leaving Albania without a passport.  This, he 
continued, has limited the ability of traffickers to easily 
forge simple travel documents.  Regarding immigration, the CG 
said he has good cooperation with police and receives 
valuable information on illegal immigrants crossing into 
Greece. 
 
Media Gives Positive Blanket Coverage 
------------------------------------- 
7.  (U)  Ambassador's visit to Ioannina, covered prominently 
with numerous photographs in five local newspapers and by 
local television channels, was described as warm and positive 
in all media.  Local press reported factually on the visit, 
commenting on Ambassador's interest in economic and tourism 
development of the region.  Ambassador was quoted describing 
Ioannina as "an impressive town with natural beauty and warm, 
hospitable people."  Several papers reported that the Mayor 
described the strong ties that exist because of the thousands 
of immigrants from Ioannina accommodated in the U.S.  "This 
hospitality is the bridge between Ioannina and American 
communities, and now I have the opportunity to offer warm 
thanks for the possibilities which were given to our 
compatriots," Gontas was quoted as saying. 
RIES