FIRES IN GREECE: AUGUST 28 SITREP

UNCLAS ATHENS 001714 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MOPS CASC PREL PGOV GR SUBJECT: FIRES IN GREECE: AUGUST 28 SITREP REF: A) ATHENS 1687 B) ATHENS 1700 FIRES CONTINUE, THREAT CONTINUES, COST HIGH ¶1. (SBU) Though apparently fewer in number, wildfires continue to burn, principally in the Peloponnese peninsula and on the island of Evia but also elsewhere. Risk of fire remains high. According to the Fire Service spokesperson, no villages are currently threatened but the winds remain unpredictable. The number of casualties cited has not changed; Embassy is not aware of any deaths or injuries to Amcits. Hellenic Red Cross reports 1000 displaced persons on the island of Evia alone. A GOG hotline established to assist fire victims received 7,000 calls in its first two hours of operation. ¶2. (SBU) Initial estimates of the financial cost are approximately 1.5 billion Euros. Press reports state that Greece is submitting requests for a total of 4.5 billion in EU subsidies and emergency assistance. The EU Commissioner for Regional Policy has announced plans to visit Greece to assess the damage. The EU Commissioner on the Environment (from Greece) Stavros Demas has proposed formation of a European forest firefighting task force. GREEK, INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS UNDERWAY ¶3. (SBU) The GOG continues measures to assist victims. In addition to aid packages announced earlier, the government has announced suspension of judicial decisions regarding evictions, temporary freeze of obligations to banks, and the establishment of a fund for fire victim support to which the public can contribute. International assistance on the ground includes: 60 firefighters and 4 Canadair planes (France); 3 firefighting helicopters and 66 technical advisors (Germany); 2 Canadair aircraft each from Spain and Italy; 6 fire engines and 60 firefighters (Cyprus); 12 Canadair aircraft (Portugal); 6 firefighting planes (Serbia); 1 helicopter each from Slovenia, Norway and Sweden; 52 firefighters (Israel); 2 helicopters (Austria); 4 Super Puma each from Switzerland and The Netherlands; 1 M17 (Romania). ¶4. (SBU) Embassy issued a pres release expressing condolences on behalf of Secretary Rice and the USG. The Greek MFA has not yet mentioned Deputy Secretary Negroponte's telcon to FM Bakoyiannis publicly. USAID/OFDA has announced the authorization of $100,000 in funding to assist Hellenic Red Cross efforts. In addition, Embassy has submitted an ExecSec request for military assistance. Embassy continues to work with representatives of the Hellenic Red Cross to coordinate assistance from the Greek-American community. Government sources continue to tell us that the most practical donation, at this point, is funding. PSYCHIC COST ALSO HIGH ¶5. (SBU) The sheer magnitude of the damage, high number of victims and on-going threat have had a huge impact on the Greek public. Most Athenians have their roots elsewhere, many in the very areas now ablaze. Almost everyone knows someone affected, whether a relative or friend. The threat to cultural heritage was highlighted by pictures of flames at the gates of ancient Olympia, threatening (but ultimately not damaging) the site and museum. City dwellers are suddenly aware that, without the green forests nearby, the effect of air pollution in Athens has increased significantly. The result is the national equivalent of shell-shock. COUNTRYMAN