PAKISTANI EMBASSY CLAIMS GOG COMPLICITY IN HUMAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ATHENS 001652 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR EUR/SE, SA/PB, INL/HTSC E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/21/16 TAGS: GR PINR PINS PK SMIG SOCI PTER SUBJECT: PAKISTANI EMBASSY CLAIMS GOG COMPLICITY IN HUMAN SMUGGLING, SAYS NETWORKS FUND EXTREMISTS BACK HOME Classified By: AMB. CHARLES P. RIES FOR REASONS. 1.4(B) and (D) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: In a June 16 meeting with Poloffs, Pakistani XXXXXXXXXXXX relayed his concerns that human smuggling could be funding destabilizing separatist, Muslim-extremist, and even terrorist movements in Pakistan, notably in the Balochistan province. His concern is heightened by what he believes to be complicity by Greek authorities, and at the very least by lack of response by the GoG. For this reason, he hopes for increased pressure on the GoG by USG and the EU. END SUMMARY. -------------- Context of the meeting -------------- ¶2. (SBU) On June 16, Poloffs met with Pakistani Embassy XXXXXXXXXXXX to discuss Pakistani migration to Greece and illegal immigrant detention conditions in Greece (septel). XXXXXXXXXXXX was particularly eager to discuss these topics in the context of U.S.-Pakistani cooperation on domestic security in Pakistan and in the fight against terrorism. XXXXXXXXXXXX (Note: There is a population of between 50,000 and 75,000 Pakistanis living in Greece, mostly in Athens. End Note). -------------- -------------- Pakistani illegal immigration: possible USG and GoP security concern -------------- -------------- ¶3. (C) While he said there are almost no reliable statistics on migration to Greece (legal or illegal, Pakistani or otherwise),XXXXXXXXXXXX estimates that approximately 2,000 illegal Pakistani immigrants enter Greece each year, following a route through Iran and Turkey. (Note: with reports in summer months of 200-plus migrants intercepted almost daily in the Aegean and crossing the Evros River, we see this as a conservative estimate. End Note). Although XXXXXXXXXXXX mentioned his concerns about the terrible conditions migrants encounter en route and the burdens of irregular migration on Greece, his greatest concern was the possible connection between the proceeds of Pakistani smuggling and the funding of destabilizing separatist, Muslim-extremist, and even terrorist movements in Pakistan. ¶4. (C) According to XXXXXXXXXXXX, large amounts of "dirty money" involved in the smuggling are routed back to Pakistan through hawala, an informal money transfer system. In the form of hawala described by XXXXXXXXXXXX, someone, usually a trusted friend or family member, physically transports cash from many sources/individuals and redistributes them at the destination, without any documentation or paper trail. He remarked that Pakistan's Balochistan province, bordering Iran, is a primary destination for hawala funds, as it is a large source of smuggling operations and illegal immigrants, as well as a basis for separatist, extremist movements in Pakistan. -------------- Complicity of the Greek government? -------------- ¶5. (C) XXXXXXXXXXXX claimed that the Pakistani Embassy has passed names of individuals involved in this form of hawala (and so probably also in smuggling) to the GoG, but has seen no response by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs or Public Order. (Note: Hawala, in and of itself, is not illegal in Greece. Greece does require declarations for import and export above certain amounts of funds, however. At any rate, proceeds resulting from illegal activities are illegal, regardless of amount or how they are transferred. End Note). XXXXXXXXXXXX believes that what he sees as the GoG's lack of palpable concern is the combined result of: 1) lack of resources; 2) corruption; and 3) failure to collaborate generally with the Pakistani Embassy. Of these three, corruption is the most troubling to XXXXXXXXXXXX, who has been told by Pakistani migrants that they crossed into Greece completely undisturbed by Greek border authorities, or were even transported in Greek military vehicles. For this reason, XXXXXXXXXXXX believes that there is complicity in smuggling operations by Greek law enforcement authorities. He appealed to us, saying such complicity on the part of Greek authorities is detrimental to the common fight against terrorism and the EU's attempt to secure its outside borders. In light of the lack of a response from the GoG, XXXXXXXXXXXX expressed a desire for more assistance from the USG and the EU in addressing these concerns. He also indicated that the ATHENS 00001652 002 OF 002 large Pakistani community in Greece and these security threats to Pakistan might be reasons for the GoP to increase the size of its post in Athens in the near future. ¶6. (C) COMMENT: While reports of corruption or indifference among Greek law enforcement authorities are not rare, they are not typically made as explicitly as here. XXXXXXXXXXXX's contention that money involved in human smuggling is possibly used to fund extremist or even terrorist groups in Pakistan is also a charge we have not heard communicated so emphatically before. We will remain alert to such reports in our contact with Greek law enforcement. RIES