Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ATHENS1714
2007-08-28 15:24:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Athens
Cable title:
FIRES IN GREECE: AUGUST 28 SITREP
how-toVZCZCXRO2212 OO RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDBU RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHTH #1714 2401524 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 281524Z AUG 07 FM AMEMBASSY ATHENS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0054 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEPGDA/USEUCOM JIC VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY
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
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
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