GREECE: 2002 ANNUAL TERRORISM REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ATHENS 004072

S/CT FOR REAP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER GR
SUBJECT: GREECE: 2002 ANNUAL TERRORISM REPORT

REF: A. STATE 201772

B. ATHENS 3967 AND PREVIOUS

C. ATHENS 3285


THE FOLLOWING IS POST'S SUBMISSION FOR THE 2002 "PATTERNS OF
GLOBAL TERRORISM" REPORT. RESPONSES ARE KEYED TO REF (A).

A:

1. IN SUPPORT OF THE GLOBAL COALITION AGAINST TERRORISM, THE
GOG HAS ROTATED THREE FRIGATES (HS SPETSES, HS ADRIAS, AND HS
PSARA) THROUGH ARABIAN SEA DUTY. EACH FRIGATE CARRIES
APPROXIMATELY 200 CREW MEMBERS, A S-70B6 HELICOPTER, AND A
UNIT OF HELLENIC NAVY COMMANDOS. GREECE HAS ALSO BEEN
CONTRIBUTING TO THE INTERNATIONAL SECURITY ASSISTANCE FORCE
(ISAF) IN AFGHANISTAN. A 134-PERSON CONTINGENT (FROM THE
GREEK CORPS OF ENGINEERS AND SUPPORT UNITS) IS IN PLACE IN
KABUL. TWO HELLENIC AIR FORCE C-130 AIRCRAFT BASED IN
PAKISTAN ARE ALSO IN THE AFGHAN THEATER. FOR MONTHS AFTER
SEPTEMBER 11, 2001, TWENTY-ONE GREEK PILOTS AND SUPPORT
PERSONNEL WERE AMONG NATO CREWS PILOTING AWACS AIRCRAFT OVER
THE U.S.


2. THE GOG FULLY SUPPORTS UNSCR 1373 AND THE INTERNATIONAL
EFFORT TO COMBAT THE FINANCING OF TERRORISM. IN CONJUNCTION
WITH EUROPEAN COMMISSION REGULATIONS, GREECE HAS ORDERED ALL
BANKS AND CREDIT INSTITUTIONS TO SEARCH FOR ACCOUNTS OF USAMA
BIN LADEN, THE AL-QAIDA TERRORIST NETWORK, AND OFFICIALS OF
THE FORMER TALIBAN REGIME. GREECE HAS BLOCKED SUSPECT
ACCOUNTS CONSISTENT WITH EU REGULATIONS. ALSO CONSISTENT
WITH EU REGULATIONS AND THE EU CLEARINGHOUSE PROCESS, GREECE
IS BLOCKING ACCOUNTS BELONGING TO INDIGENOUS EUROPEAN
TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS. THE GOG HAS SEIZED ASSETS BELONGING
TO 17 NOVEMBER TERRORIST ORGANIZATION (17N) SUSPECTS.


3. CONCERNING GREEK EFFORTS TO ENACT NEW COUNTERTERRORISM
LAWS, THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE ANNOUNCED IN SEPTEMBER THAT THE
GOG WILL SUBMIT NEW CT LEGISLATION IN AN EFFORT TO COMPLY
WITH THE JUNE 13, 2002 EUROPEAN COUNCIL FRAMEWORK DECISION ON
COMBATING TERRORISM. THE LEGISLATION WILL CONTAIN MANDATORY
MINIMUM SENTENCES OF FIFTEEN YEARS FOR PERSONS FOUND TO HAVE
HELD LEADERSHIP ROLES IN TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS AND EIGHT
YEARS FOR THOSE WHO MATERIALLY ASSIST TERRORISTS. THE
STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS WOULD BE EXTENDED TO THIRTY YEARS, A
PROVISION LIKELY INCLUDED OWING TO UNHAPPINESS THAT THE
PROSECUTION OF A NUMBER OF 17N CRIMES IS TIME-BARRED AFTER 20
YEARS. THE COUNCIL DECISION SPECIFIES THAT GREECE PASS THE
LEGISLATION BY DECEMBER 31, 2002.

B:

4. FOR ALMOST 27 YEARS SINCE THE 17 NOVEMBER TERRORIST
ORGANIZATION'S FIRST ACT, THE DECEMBER 23, 1975 MURDER OF
AMERICAN EMBASSY OFFICER RICHARD WELCH, GREEK AUTHORITIES HAD
BEEN UNABLE TO PENETRATE THIS TERRORIST GROUP. 17N, NAMED
AFTER THE DATE IN 1973 WHEN THE GREEK JUNTA CRUSHED A STUDENT
UPRISING, FOLLOWED WELCH'S MURDER WITH TWENTY-TWO OTHERS,
COUNTING FOUR OTHER U.S. EMBASSY EMPLOYEES AMONG ITS VICTIMS.
THE ORGANIZATION WAS ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR A MULTITUDE OF
OTHER CRIMES INCLUDING ATTEMPTED MURDER, ARMED ROBBERY,
ROCKET ATTACKS, AND PROPERTY THEFT AND DESTRUCTION. THE
GROUP'S AURA OF INVINCIBILITY GREW WITH THE GOG'S INABILITY
TO MAKE ARRESTS, AND IT CAME TO BE REGARDED AS ONE OF WESTERN
EUROPE'S DEADLIEST TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS.


5. THINGS CHANGED DRAMATICALLY IN 2002 (REF B). ON JUNE 29,
A 17N MEMBER NAMED SAVVAS XYROS WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED WHEN A
BOMB HE WAS CARRYING EXPLODED PREMATURELY IN THE PORT OF
PIRAEUS. INFORMATION HE PROVIDED WHILE IN CUSTODY AND SOLID
GREEK POLICE WORK QUICKLY LED TO THE ARRESTS OF OTHER
SUSPECTS AND THE DISCOVERY OF TWO SAFEHOUSES CONTAINING LARGE
AMOUNTS OF PHYSICAL EVIDENCE. EIGHTEEN SUSPECTED 17N
TERRORISTS ARE CURRENTLY BEHIND BARS, AND THE 17N TRIAL IS
EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN EARLY MARCH. ALL INDICATIONS ARE THAT
THE GOG IS DOING ITS UTMOST TO ENSURE A FAIR AND SUCCESSFUL
PROSECUTION, BUT THE SIZE AND SCOPE OF THE TRIAL (AT LEAST 18
DEFENDANTS AND HUNDREDS OF CHARGES WILL BE TRIED IN ONE
PROCEEDING) POSE DAUNTING CHALLENGES. TO PROTECT THE
INTERESTS OF EMBASSY VICTIMS OF 17N AND THEIR FAMILIES, THE
USG HAS HIRED A GREEK ATTORNEY TO REPRESENT THEM.


6. (NOTE: UNDER GREEK LAW, VICTIMS OF CRIME AND/OR THEIR
FAMILY MEMBERS ARE ALLOWED TO BE REPRESENTED BY LEGAL COUNSEL
DURING A PROSECUTION. ADVANTAGES OF SUCH LEGAL
REPRESENTATION FOR THE VICTIM ARE THAT THE ATTORNEY CAN
PARTICIPATE IN THE LEGAL PROCESS, AND HAS FULL ACCESS TO THE
EVIDENCE AND CASE MATERIAL; THAT THE ATTORNEY CAN PROVIDE
COUNSEL TO VICTIMS CALLED TO TESTIFY; AND THAT AN ATTORNEY IS
NECESSARY TO INITIATE ADDITIONAL INVESTIGATION AND/OR
CRIMINAL CHARGES AND/OR CLAIMS FOR COMPENSATION AGAINST THE
DEFENDANTS ON BEHALF OF THE VICTIMS. END NOTE.)


7. THE USG HAS EXPRESSED ITS FULL SUPPORT OF THE GOG'S
HANDLING OF THE 17N CASE, WITH PRESIDENT BUSH WRITING PM
SIMITIS TO CONGRATULATE HIM. ADDITIONALLY, MINISTER OF
PUBLIC ORDER CHRYSOCHOIDES, THE GREEK OFFICIAL MOST
RESPONSIBLE FOR THE GOG'S RECENT SUCCESS, RECEIVED
ENCOURAGEMENT FROM CIA DIRECTOR TENET, DEPUTY SECRETARY OF
STATE ARMITAGE, AND DIRECTOR OF HOMELAND SECURITY GOV. RIDGE
DURING AN OCTOBER TRIP TO WASHINGTON, D.C.


8. WHILE THE BREAKTHROUGH ON 17N HAS DOMINATED GOG
COUNTER-TERRORISM DEVELOPMENTS IN 2002, GREEK POLICE SAY THEY
HAVE BEGUN TO TARGET MORE AGGRESSIVELY OTHER DOMESTIC
TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING THE NOW-DORMANT "ELA"
(REVOLUTIONARY PEOPLE'S STRUGGLE),CONSIDERED THE GRANDFATHER
OF GREEK DOMESTIC TERROR GROUPS; "REVOLUTIONARY NUCLEI;"
"ANTI-STATE STRUGGLE;" AND "1 MAY."


9. FOLLOWING A SERIES OF LEGAL SETBACKS IN 2001 FOR GOG
ATTEMPTS TO JAIL ANTI-STATE STRUGGLE TERRORIST AND LONGTIME
CRIMINAL FUGITIVE AVRAAM LESPEROGLOU (WHOSE ATTEMPTED MURDER
CONVICTION OF 2001 WAS OVERTURNED ON APPEAL, WHILE CHARGES
REGARDING HIS ASSOCIATION WITH ANTI-STATE STRUGGLE WERE
DROPPED WHEN PROSECUTION WITNESSES FAILED TO APPEAR OR
RECANTED TESTIMONY),THE GOG TRIED AGAIN IN 2002 (REF C).
THE GREEK SUPREME COURT VACATED THE OVERTURNING OF
LESPEROGLOU'S ATTEMPTED MURDER CONVICTION, AND HE FOUND
HIMSELF BACK IN COURT ON THAT COUNT IN SEPTEMBER. AFTER A
SHORT TRIAL, DURING WHICH LESPEROGLOU RAILED AGAINST THE U.S.
(HE OPENED WITH THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT: "I AM HERE, ALTHOUGH
ACQUITTED, FOLLOWING PRESSURE BY THE AMERICANS AND THEIR
LOCAL VASSALS WHO WANT MY CONVICTION..."),HE WAS AGAIN
ACQUITTED.


10. A SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE LESPEROGLOU TRIAL
AND THE UPCOMING 17N TRIAL IS THAT LESPEROGLOU WAS TRIED
UNDER THE CONVENTIONAL GREEK FELONY TRIAL SYSTEM THAT USES
THREE PROFESSIONAL JUDGES AND FOUR LAY ASSESSORS (JURORS) TO
ARRIVE AT A SIMPLE-MAJORITY VERDICT. THAT SYSTEM HAS
RESULTED IN CONSISTENT 4-3 ACQUITTALS OF TERRORIST-RELATED
SUSPECTS (POSSIBLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO WITNESS INTIMIDATION),AND
WAS A MAJOR IMPETUS BEHIND THE CREATION OF THE
COUNTER-TERRORISM LAW PASSED IN 2001. THE 2001 LAW, WHICH
WILL BE APPLIED IN THE 17N CASE, ELIMINATES THE FOUR LAY
JURORS FROM THE PROCESS, AND 17N VERDICTS WILL THEREFORE BE
DECIDED UPON BY THREE JUDGES ONLY, MAKING THEM MORE LIKELY TO
BE BASED SOLELY ON THE MERITS OF THE CASE.

C:

11. THE GOG DID NOT EXTRADITE OR REQUEST THE EXTRADITION OF
ANY SUSPECTED TERRORISTS DURING 2002, NOR DID THE USG SUBMIT
ANY SUCH REQUEST.

D:

12. UNDER ARTICLE 438 OF THE GREEK CODE OF CRIMINAL
PROCEEDINGS, EXTRADITION IS PROHIBITED IF A) THE REQUESTED
INDIVIDUAL WAS A GREEK NATIONAL WHEN THE OFFENSE WAS
COMMITTED; B) THE OFFENSE FOR WHICH THE EXTRADITION HAS BEEN
REQUESTED IS CONSIDERED BY GREEK LAW TO BE A POLITICAL
OFFENSE, OR IF IT APPEARS FROM THE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT THE
EXTRADITION IS BEING REQUESTED FOR POLITICAL REASONS; OR C)
IF IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE PERSON REQUESTED WILL BE
PROSECUTED BY THE REQUESTING STATE FOR AN OFFENSE OTHER THAN
THE ONE FOR WHICH THE REQUEST HAS BEEN SUBMITTED. AT THE
SAME TIME, ARTICLE 8 OF THE U.S.-GREECE EXTRADITION TREATY
STATES: "UNDER THE STIPULATIONS OF THIS TREATY, NEITHER OF
THE HIGH CONTRACTING PARTIES SHALL BE BOUND TO DELIVER UP ITS
OWN CITIZENS, EXCEPT IN SUCH CASES WHERE SUCH CITIZENSHIP HAS
BEEN OBTAINED AFTER THE PERPETRATION OF THE CRIME FOR WHICH
EXTRADITION IS SOUGHT. THE STATE APPEALED TO SHALL DECIDE
WHETHER THE PERSON CLAIMED IS ITS OWN CITIZEN."

E:

13. FROM PRIME MINISTER SIMITIS DOWN, THE GOG HAS SHOWN A
STRONG PUBLIC DETERMINATION TO ERADICATE DOMESTIC TERRORISM.
THE DECISION BY SOME 17N ARRESTEES TO CHARACTERIZE THEIR
CRIMES AS POLITICALLY MOTIVATED HAS CATALYZED A MORE VIGOROUS
PUBLIC ANTI-TERRORISM STANCE BY THE GOG. A NOTABLE EXAMPLE
OF THE NEWFOUND VIGOR WITH WHICH THE GOG HAS CONDEMNED
TERRORISM IS THAT THE PRIME MINISTER USED THE OCCASION OF THE
ANNUAL STATE OF THE ECONOMY SPEECH, ALWAYS ONE OF THE MOST
IMPORTANT OF THE YEAR, TO ACCUSE DOMESTIC TERRORIST GROUPS
(AND 17N IN PARTICULAR) OF "HIJACKING" THE LEFT'S IDEOLOGY
AND DISTORTING SOCIALISM.

F:

14. ON THE OLYMPICS, GREECE CONTINUES TO SEEK ASSISTANCE AND
COUNSEL FROM THE OLYMPIC SECURITY ADVISORY GROUP (OSAG). IN
THAT CONTEXT, EXPERTS FROM THE U.S., UNITED KINGDOM, FRANCE,
GERMANY, ISRAEL, AUSTRALIA, AND SPAIN ARE CONTINUOUSLY
ADVISING AND TRAINING GREEK SECURITY PERSONNEL. THE
PRINCIPAL SOURCE OF U.S. TRAINING HAS BEEN THE DEPARTMENT'S
DIPLOMATIC SECURITY SERVICE'S ANTI-TERRORISM ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM.


15. GREECE (POPULATION APPROXIMATELY 11 MILLION) IS THE
SECOND SMALLEST COUNTRY EVER TO HOST A MODERN SUMMER OLYMPICS
(FINLAND IN 1952 WAS THE SMALLEST). BEFORE SEPTEMBER 11,
2001, THE GOG HAD ANNOUNCED THAT IT WAS GOING TO SPEND USD
600 MILLION ON OLYMPIC SECURITY. THE LATEST FIGURE HAS RISEN
TO USD ONE BILLION. THROUGH THE OLYMPIC GAMES SECURITY
DIRECTORATE (OGSD),THE INTER-MINISTERIAL COMMITTEE HEADED BY
THE HELLENIC NATIONAL POLICE, OLYMPIC SECURITY PLANNING AND
OPERATIONAL READINESS TESTING IS GOING ON DAILY. SUCH
EFFORTS INVOLVE POLICE, MILITARY, COAST GUARD, AND
VOLUNTEERS. IN ALL, GREECE IS EXPECTING TO UTILIZE WELL OVER
40,000 PEOPLE TO PERFORM OLYMPIC SECURITY DUTIES.

G:

16. THE REVOLUTIONARY PEOPLES LIBERATION FRONT (DHKPC),A
STATE DEPARTMENT DESIGNATED FOREIGN TERRORIST ORGANIZATION,
ANNOUNCED DURING A 1995 PRESS CONFERENCE AT THE ATHENS BAR
ASSOCIATION THAT IT WAS SETTING UP AN ATHENS OFFICE. AT
LEAST TWO ATHENS ADDRESSES HAVE SINCE BEEN PUBLICLY
IDENTIFIED AS DHKPC OFFICES, AND THE DHKPC WEBSITE CLAIMS
"OUR PRESENCE IN GREECE IS QUITE OPEN AND DEMOCRATIC FOR
EVERYONE TO SEE."

H:

17. THE GOG DID NOT MAKE ANY PUBLIC STATEMENTS IN SUPPORT OF
A TERRORIST-SUPPORTING COUNTRY ON A TERRORISM ISSUE.

I:

18. THE RECENT SUCCESS IN CRACKING 17N HAS HAD A VERY
POSITIVE EFFECT ON BOTH THE GOG'S AND THE GREEK PUBLIC'S
ATTITUDE TOWARD TERRORISM, AS WHAT WAS ONCE A POLITICAL
LIABILITY IS NOW SEEN AS A PLUS. THE SITUATION SURROUNDING
THE PASSAGE (ON JUNE 12, 2001) OF MILESTONE COUNTERTERRORISM
LEGISLATION PROVIDES AN ILLUSTRATION OF HOW THE SUBJECT WAS
VIEWED BY THE GOG. THAT BILL WENT THROUGH IN THE DEAD OF
NIGHT, ON ITS THIRD AND FINAL READING, AND WITH ONLY 15 OF
300 MPS (AND ONLY FIVE PASOK MPS) PRESENT. NOW, FLUSH WITH A
VICTORY OVER 17N, WE ARE SEEING EVIDENCE THAT THE GOG IS
GETTING OUT IN FRONT ON TERRORISM, WITH MINISTER OF JUSTICE
PETSALNIKOS ANNOUNCING NEW ANTI-TERRORISM LEGISLATION ON THE
ANNIVERSARY OF 9/11 (SEE ABOVE, SECTION (A)).

J:

19. THE GOG'S EFFORTS TO ELIMINATE FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO
TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS IS DISCUSSED IN SECTION (A),
PARAGRAPH (2). OTHER U.S. COUNTERTERRORISM EFFORTS AND
INITIATIVES WITH THE GOG IN 2002 INCLUDE THE FBI'S PROVISION,
AT THE GOG'S REQUEST AND TO AUGMENT GOG EFFORTS, OF FORENSIC
EXPERTISE IN FINGERPRINT AND DNA ANALYSIS, DIGITAL MEDIA
(COMPUTER) EXPLOITATION, AND EVIDENCE RECOVERY.

K:

20. THE GOG HAS BEEN COOPERATIVE IN ASSISTING USG
INVESTIGATIONS INTO ACTS OF TRANSNATIONAL TERRORISM (E.G. WTC
DISASTER AND EMBASSY BOMBINGS IN NAIROBI AND DAR ES SALAAM).
AFTER 9/11 THE GOG ASSISTED THE U.S. IN OBTAINING RECORDS
(FLIGHT MANIFESTS, HOTEL INFORMATION) PERTAINING TO TWO OF
THE SEPTEMBER 11 HIJACKERS WHO HAD TRANSITED GREECE.

L:

21. THE USG DID NOT SEEK GREEK COOPERATION IN 2002 FOR THE
PREVENTION OF A SPECIFIC ACT OF TERRORISM AGAINST U.S.
CITIZENS OR INTERESTS. POLICE COOPERATION WAS ALWAYS
EXCELLENT WHEN THE EMBASSY WAS THE TARGET OF GENERAL THREATS
OR DEMONSTRATIONS.


MILLER