Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ATHENS1207
2006-05-11 08:22:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Athens
Cable title:
IRAN APPROACHES ENVIRONMENTAL ARM OF GREEK
how-toVZCZCXRO0830 PP RUEHAG DE RUEHTH #1207 1310822 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 110822Z MAY 06 FM AMEMBASSY ATHENS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5392 INFO RUCNMEU/EU INTEREST COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA PRIORITY 4064 RUEHNC/AMEMBASSY NICOSIA PRIORITY 2529
C O N F I D E N T I A L ATHENS 001207
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/05/2016
TAGS: ECON EWWT PGOV PINS GR
SUBJECT: IRAN APPROACHES ENVIRONMENTAL ARM OF GREEK
SHIPPING INDUSTRY REGARDING ASSISTANCE IN DEVELOPING
'IRANMEPA.'
Classified By: Ambassador Charles Ries for reasons 1.4 (B),(D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ATHENS 001207
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/05/2016
TAGS: ECON EWWT PGOV PINS GR
SUBJECT: IRAN APPROACHES ENVIRONMENTAL ARM OF GREEK
SHIPPING INDUSTRY REGARDING ASSISTANCE IN DEVELOPING
'IRANMEPA.'
Classified By: Ambassador Charles Ries for reasons 1.4 (B),(D)
1. (C) Summary: During a meeting on other issues, the
Director General of the Hellenic Marine Environmental
Protection Association (HELMEPA),Dimitris Mitsatsos, asked
econoff about the potential USG foreign policy implications
of helping the Iranian Shipping Industry to establish its own
Marine Environmental Protection Association (MEPA).
Mitsatsos said he was approached by an un-named Iranian
official while at a meeting in Hong Kong earlier in March of
this year.
HELMEPA Background
--------------
2. (C) HELMEPA exists primarily as a public relations
organization for Greek shipowners. Its aim is to counter
widespread Greek social animosity towards organizations that
are often perceived to be profiting at the expense of Greek
society. Through its annual seafarer education programs, as
well as outreach to school age children, HELMEPA engages in
just enough environmental work to maintain its legitimate
status as an NGO. (Website: www.helmepa.gr)
The Iran Question
--------------
3. (C) HELMEPA is influential as a result of its status as an
overall advisor within the global shipping industry to
establish independent country specific MEPA programs around
the world. Examples of their influence can be seen in
Australia (AUSMEPA),Cyprus (CYMEPA) and Turkey (TURMEPA)
among others. Efforts are underway to form MEPAs in China
and Hong Kong as well as other parts of the world, thus the
proposed IRANMEPA would not be without precedence. The
approach of the Director General from an un-named
representative of INLA, (Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping
Lines) at a recent meeting in Hong Kong was characterized by
Mitsatsos as purely "exploratory." When presented with USG
concerns over WMD proliferation and terrorist assistance,
Mitsatsos maintained that although shipowners shared these
concerns, neither HELMEPA nor its global MEPA partners
maintain any control over the specific actions of its
membership.
5. (C) Comment: Greece casts a very large shadow in the world
of global shipping, as Greek owned or controlled vessels
account for almost 14% of the world's total dead weight
tonnage. While the actual intentions of Iran remain unclear
regarding the possible establishment of an IRANMEPA, informal
recognition by a leading Greek Shipping organization would
provide greater visibility and legitimacy to their maritime
interests in the global marketplace. End Comment.
Ries
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/05/2016
TAGS: ECON EWWT PGOV PINS GR
SUBJECT: IRAN APPROACHES ENVIRONMENTAL ARM OF GREEK
SHIPPING INDUSTRY REGARDING ASSISTANCE IN DEVELOPING
'IRANMEPA.'
Classified By: Ambassador Charles Ries for reasons 1.4 (B),(D)
1. (C) Summary: During a meeting on other issues, the
Director General of the Hellenic Marine Environmental
Protection Association (HELMEPA),Dimitris Mitsatsos, asked
econoff about the potential USG foreign policy implications
of helping the Iranian Shipping Industry to establish its own
Marine Environmental Protection Association (MEPA).
Mitsatsos said he was approached by an un-named Iranian
official while at a meeting in Hong Kong earlier in March of
this year.
HELMEPA Background
--------------
2. (C) HELMEPA exists primarily as a public relations
organization for Greek shipowners. Its aim is to counter
widespread Greek social animosity towards organizations that
are often perceived to be profiting at the expense of Greek
society. Through its annual seafarer education programs, as
well as outreach to school age children, HELMEPA engages in
just enough environmental work to maintain its legitimate
status as an NGO. (Website: www.helmepa.gr)
The Iran Question
--------------
3. (C) HELMEPA is influential as a result of its status as an
overall advisor within the global shipping industry to
establish independent country specific MEPA programs around
the world. Examples of their influence can be seen in
Australia (AUSMEPA),Cyprus (CYMEPA) and Turkey (TURMEPA)
among others. Efforts are underway to form MEPAs in China
and Hong Kong as well as other parts of the world, thus the
proposed IRANMEPA would not be without precedence. The
approach of the Director General from an un-named
representative of INLA, (Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping
Lines) at a recent meeting in Hong Kong was characterized by
Mitsatsos as purely "exploratory." When presented with USG
concerns over WMD proliferation and terrorist assistance,
Mitsatsos maintained that although shipowners shared these
concerns, neither HELMEPA nor its global MEPA partners
maintain any control over the specific actions of its
membership.
5. (C) Comment: Greece casts a very large shadow in the world
of global shipping, as Greek owned or controlled vessels
account for almost 14% of the world's total dead weight
tonnage. While the actual intentions of Iran remain unclear
regarding the possible establishment of an IRANMEPA, informal
recognition by a leading Greek Shipping organization would
provide greater visibility and legitimacy to their maritime
interests in the global marketplace. End Comment.
Ries