Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
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07ATHENS111 | 2007-01-18 15:56:00 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Athens |
VZCZCXRO1639 OO RUEHDBU DE RUEHTH #0111 0181556 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 181556Z JAN 07 FM AMEMBASSY ATHENS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7878 INFO RUCNAFG/AFGHANISTAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY |
C O N F I D E N T I A L ATHENS 000111 |
1. (C) SUMMARY: In a January 18 meeting with the Ambassador to discuss the Cyprus Arms issue (reported septel), Greek Chief of Defense (CHOD) Admiral Panagiotis Chinofotis also previewed Greece's plans for contributing to NATO efforts in Afghanistan, his view on the recent RPG attack against the Embassy, and U.S. IMET funding levels. END SUMMARY. AFGHANISTAN -------------------------- 2. (C) Ambassador began the Afghanistan discussion by noting the debilitating effect of national caveats on NATO/ISAF forces and appealed to Chinofotis to do what he could to have the GOG lift caveats on its 120 engineers and 50 medical personnel now confined to Kabul. Ambassador noted the opinion of the NATO SHAPE commander and USNATO Ambassador Nuland that only Greece and Turkey amongst NATO Allies were currently in a position to do more in Afghanistan. He also argued that Greek engineers would probably face little added risk by undertaking missions outside Kabul, while DATT Col. Tutt noted the saying in Afghanistan that "the Taliban begin where the roads end." Ambassador also underscored the heavy burden being borne by Dutch, Canadian, UK, and U.S. troops. 3. (C) Chinofotis responded that Greece, at least, was open about its caveats whereas some other allies did not announce caveats but nonetheless denied movement of their troops when called upon. He previewed, however, tentative Greek plans to offer to supply additional equipment to the Afghan army. (NOTE: In her meeting with Ambassador January 17 (ref. a), FM Bakoyannis mentioned an unspecified number of tanks. END NOTE.) A Chinofotis deputy also mentioned that the EU was preparing civilian assistance missions for Afghanistan, to which Greece was willing to contribute. (NOTE: Bakoyannis said this would most likely be in support of the Hungarian-led PRT (ref. a). END NOTE.) Chinofotis ended by saying the GOG would announce its intentions at the upcoming meetings of NATO FMs January 26 and DefMins Feb 8-9. EMBASSY ATTACK -- AN ATTACK ON GREECE -------------------------- 4. (C) Chinofotis expressed deep sorrow about the January 12 RPG attack against the Embassy, calling it an attack on Greece as well that would damage Greece's image and reputation. He noted that shortly after the attack, he had called DefMin Meimarakis (who was then in Istanbul) to relay the news. Ambassador said he had been "overwhelmed" by the many expressions of sympathy and solidarity had had heard from Greeks and provided a brief update of the current status of the investigation. Ambassador also noted his desire to restart U.S. training of Greek police, which had occurred before the Olympics but had since dropped off. 5. (C) Ambassador mentioned his concerns about future returning jihadists, as detailed at the recent Athens RSI conference (ref b.). He explained that this would be a huge problem for Greece, given its geography, and underscored the importance of sharing biometric data. Chinofotis agreed. IMET FUNDING LEVELS -------------------------- 6. (C) Chinofotis asked about current U.S. plans for IMET with NATO Allies. DATT Col. Tutt promised to look into it. MARITIME DOMAIN AWARENESS -------------------------- 7. (C) Ambassador expressed thanks on behalf of NATO Armed Forces South Commander Admiral Ulrich for Chinofotis' role in bringing Greece's maritime picture into the Maritime Domain Awareness program. Greece went "live" in MDA just as promised on January 16. RIES |