GREEK RESPONSE ON LONDON CONFERENCE ON AFGHANISTAN

UNCLAS ATHENS 003247 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID PREL PGOV GR SUBJECT: GREEK RESPONSE ON LONDON CONFERENCE ON AFGHANISTAN REF: SECSTATE 226670 ¶1. Mission has received a Greek Government response to reftel demarche regarding the international Conference for Afghanistan. Here is the text of the December 22 letter from Dimitris Platis, Chef de Cabinet of Deputy Foreign Minister Stylianidis: Begin Text: Thank you for your letter dated 19 December on the upcoming London Conference in 2006. As you are aware, Greece takes part in the efforts of the International Community to bring stability to the country by actively participating in the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). In the field of humanitarian aid and development assistance, Afghanistan remains a priority for Greece. My country has been present in all international donors' conferences and has supported the reconstruction of Afghanistan and has provided assistance not least in the areas of culture and economy, by promoting the rehabilitation of small and medium enterprises. You may rest assured that Greece will not fail to continue lending its support to the efforts of the Afgani Government, also in the field of combating illicit drugs' production and trafficking. As far as Iraq, Lebanon and the Palestinian Authority are concerned, Greece remains committed to pursue providing assistance, considering them as priority recipients for development aid. Finally, in view of the London Conference, we are looking forward to the presentation by the Afghan government of the "Afghanistan National Development Strategy." //s// End Text COUNTRYMAN