Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ATHENS3231
2006-12-21 08:47:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Athens
Cable title:  

S/CT CRUMPTON DISCUSSES TERRORISM WITH GREEKS

Tags:  PREL PGOV ASEC OTRA PTER GR 
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O 210847Z DEC 06
FM AMEMBASSY ATHENS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7707
INFO RUEHAM/AMEMBASSY AMMAN PRIORITY 0559
RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA PRIORITY 4512
RUEHLB/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT PRIORITY 0184
RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO PRIORITY 0228
RUEHNC/AMEMBASSY NICOSIA PRIORITY 2729
RUEHSF/AMEMBASSY SOFIA PRIORITY 1491
RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV PRIORITY 0574
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
RUDKSR/EUCOM PLANS AND ANALYSIS STAFF STUTTGART GE PRIORITY
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).

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