Cablegate: Greek Minister of Education Discusses Reform with New

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

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