GREEK SHIPMENT OF APCS AND AK-47S EN ROUTE TO IRAQ

C O N F I D E N T I A L ATHENS 002769 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/23/2007 TAGS: GR IZ MARR PREL NATOIRAQ SUBJECT: GREEK SHIPMENT OF APCS AND AK-47S EN ROUTE TO IRAQ Classified By: Amb. Charles P. Ries. Reasons 1.4(b/d). ¶1. (C) On October 24, Embassy DATT confirmed that the "Aegean Star," a Greek-flagged ship contracted to the Ministry of Defense, finished loading thirty-six BMPs (Russian APCs) and one thousand AK-47s for transshipment to Iraq. The ship already had on board seventy-two Hungarian T-72 tanks on board that were loaded in Koper, Slovenia. ¶2. (C) The "Aegean Star" will depart Souda Bay, Crete at 1800 local (October 24) for Kuwait. At this time, DAO is assisting Greece to obtain proper clearance to transit the Suez Canal. RIES