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