S/CT CRUMPTON DISCUSSES TERRORISM WITH GREEKS

C O N F I D E N T I A L ATHENS 003231 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/20/2016 TAGS: PREL PGOV ASEC OTRA PTER GR SUBJECT: S/CT CRUMPTON DISCUSSES TERRORISM WITH GREEKS Classified By: AMBASSADOR CHARLES RIES. REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D). ¶1. (C) Summary: On December 12, Coordinator for Counterterrorism Ambassador Henry Crumpton met with the Greek Ministers for Foreign Affairs and Public Order and the Director General of the Greek National Intelligence Service (EYP). Discussions focused on the regional threat posed by terrorists using established illegal immigration and human smuggling channels. In his meetings, Ambassador Crumpton reviewed possible measures, including the sharing of biometric information from suspect terrorists detained in Iraq. Greek officials agreed on the need for close and continuing cooperation on terrorism issues and shared concerns about the future of Iraq and the potential for destabilization in the region to affect Greek domestic security. Ambassador Crumpton also met with representatives of Greek think tanks and news media, prompting a useful exchange on the terrorist challenges facing countries in the region. FM BAKOYANNIS: COOP WITH TURKEY KEY TO SECURITY -------------- -- ¶2. (C) Foreign Minister Theodora Bakoyiannis agreed with Ambassador Crumpton that close counterterrorism cooperation was important, as was the need to look at terrorism in a regional context. Bakoyiannis cited closer coordination with Turkey on border security issues as essential. Although she believed that Turkey was trying, further progress was required. She also noted the complexities of the twin Greek policy objectives of de-mining the land border while at the same time controlling illegal immigration. Crumpton reviewed details of biometric data collection by the U.S. in Iraq and asked whether sharing that data with Greece would be helpful. Bakoyiannis deferred to the Public Order minister on this point. ¶3. (C) Bakoyiannis queried Crumpton for his assessment of U.S. policy in Iraq. Crumpton underscored that the complex nature of the violence included terrorism, insurgency, sectarian violence, and criminal violence. He stressed the U.S. commitment not to leave Iraq as a failed state that could become a haven for terrorists. He also highlighted the role played by Iran and its Quds force in supplying materiel and training to Shia insurgents. Bakoyiannis stated she was impressed with the Iraq Study Group report, adding her own recommendation in favor of U.S. engagement with Iran and Syria. Bakoyiannis told Crumpton that while she did not believe Greece was a target for terrorism, she feared that regional destabilization stemming from conflicts in Iraq and Lebanon could profoundly affect Greece. ¶4. (C) Bakoyiannis cited another Greek security concern: Turkey and the Kurds in northern Iraq. Crumpton stated that the U.S. believed that there are 3-5,000 PKK members in Northern Iraq and highlighted General Ralston,s efforts to broker a ceasefire. Bakoyiannis took particular interest in the presence of PKK leaders in Iraq, asking &so, the Turks are right? And in Iran?8 Crumpton replied affirmatively to both, emphasizing U.S. efforts to discourage Turkish intervention in northern Iraq. Bakoyiannis stated that she understood the desire for a &Kurdistan,8 which she believed to be valid. Crumpton asked Bakoyiannis about PKK activities and fund raising in Europe and asked her to encourage action against the PKK in European forums. Bakoyiannis remained non-committal, while noting that the EU had listed the PKK as a terrorist group. PUBLIC ORDER MINISTER ON DOMESTIC CT -------------- ¶5. (C) Minister for Public Order. Vyron Polydoras briefed Crumpton on the Greek government,s battle against domestic terrorist group 17 November (17N) and its remnants, and gave his assessment of current threats to Greek security. He discussed his theory of &the unity of crime8, noting that the infrastructure which supports money laundering, illegal immigration and human trafficking can also be used by terrorists. Polydoras repeatedly stressed that the Greek media was strongly anti-American and did not take a tough line on terrorism., railing against the &leftists8 in the press and suggesting U.S. &clandestine intervention.8 Ambassador Crumpton emphasized the importance of de-legitimizing violence and building civil society. In addition, Crumpton highlighted biometric data sharing as an area for cooperation and described the potential threat from foreign fighters leaving Iraq and flowing into Europe. Polydoras agreed with Crumpton,s suggestion that common databases with biometric information on foreign fighters arrested in Iraq could be a useful tool in fighting terrorism after the conflict in Iraq ends. The Minister added that PM Karamanlis had told him to push the EU or member states to collect biometrics on all illegal entrants. INTEL DIRECTOR FOCUSED ON ALIEN SMUGGLING -------------- ¶6. (C) Ambassador Ioannis Korandis, Director General of the Greek National Intelligence Service (EYP) told Crumpton that he had no information to suggest that Greece was a target for transnational terrorists. His primary concern was illegal alien smuggling; approximately 1.2 to 1.3 million people in Greece (13 percent of the population) were &uninvited8. Of these, half were Albanian, a group Korandis believes does not constitute a terror threat. The other half -- from the Middle East, Asia, and Africa -- could be economic refugees but there was no assurance that terrorists were not included. As a result, Korandis feared potential home-grown terrorism arising from this expatriate community. Korandis also noted the need to work with regional partners on the issue, especially Turkey, but said that his Turkish intelligence counterparts have told him that illegal immigration is not within their purview. ¶7. (C) Korandis told Crumpton that the Pakistani community in Greece is the fastest growing such community in continental Europe. Although he had not seen serious signs of radicalization yet, he had noted with concern increasing contacts between the community and radical leftist groups. Crumpton briefed Korandis on Afghanistan, stressing that cross-border cooperation with Pakistan was crucial to future success. ¶8. (C) Korandis also focused on the bureaucratic challenges facing EU intelligence communities. Following Polydoras, line, he also cited several key concerns, including a media quick to blame intelligence services for whatever may go wrong as well as increasing demands for information and intervention by Parliament, Justice ministry prosecutors, and independent authorities. PUBLIC DIPLOMACY OUTREACH -------------- ¶9. (C) Ambassador Crumpton also participated in a public diplomacy event at the Ambassador,s residence designed to reach out to Greek think tanks and journalists. Questions from the audience were thoughtful and constructive and offered Crumpton the opportunity to comment on the terror threat in Europe, the future of Iraq, the Iraq Study Group Report, and the role of democracy in the fight against terrorism. Press coverage December 13 was fair and factual. RIES