IRAQ: SOLICITING GREEK ASSISTANCE FOR DECEMBER 15

C O N F I D E N T I A L ATHENS 003154 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/13/2015 TAGS: PGOV PREL IZ GR IRAQ SUBJECT: IRAQ: SOLICITING GREEK ASSISTANCE FOR DECEMBER 15 AND BEYOND REF: STATE 223612 Classified By: Acting Political Counselor Tom Yazdgerdi for reasons 1.4 (b/d) ¶1. (C) Poloff spoke with Iraqi Ambassador Hatim al Khawam December 13, to urge the Iraqi embassy to use the December 15 elections to highlight progress in that country's democratic transition. The focus of the Iraqi embassy's election-related activities was informing the estimated 12,000-13,000 Iraqis living in Athens of their right to cast their votes at the voting center in Ankara, al Khawam said. Only a limited number of Iraqis would take advantage of this, he predicted, since the majority did not have legal Greek residence papers. On the positive side, Al Khawam noted that his embassy had issued more than 5000 passports to Iraqi citizens resident in Athens, explaining that most had feared to go near the embassy in the era of Saddam Hussein. Poloff shared the points provided in reftel, and briefed al Khawam on post efforts to encourage vocal Greek government support for the new Iraqi government. ¶2. (C) Separately, acting PolCouns spoke with MFA Spokesman George Koumoutsakos, urging him to make a strong, positive statement about the elections. Poloff also spoke with MFA NATO Division Deputy Director Theodore Daskarolis, to ask that Greece follow up its contribution of 36 BMP-1 armored personnel carriers with additional resources for the Iraqi armed forces. RIES