GREEK FIRES: SEPT. 4 UPDATE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ATHENS 001761

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MOPS CASC PREL PGOV EAID GR
SUBJECT: GREEK FIRES: SEPT. 4 UPDATE

REF: ATHENS 1741 AND PREVIOUS

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED -- PROTECT ACCORDINGLY.


1. (U) This message contains an action request -- see
paragraph 9.

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SUMMARY
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2. (SBU) The Greek Fire Service has announced that all wild
fires are now out. PM Karamanlis presented a recovery plan
to the nation over the weekend, as did opposition PASOK's
Papandreaou. FM Bakoyannis has tabled a proposal for
improved EU cooperation in responding to natural disasters.
EU Commission President Barroso visited Greece 9/1. A U.S.
technical assistance team arrived September 2 and immediately
began to liaise with Greek counterparts. End Summary.

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Fires Out
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3. (U) The Greek Fire Service has reported that the fires
have now been extinguished. Provisionally, the Government of
Greece estimates that 64 individuals were killed, and over
200,000 hectares of land were destroyed. International media
note that one person has now died in hospital, bringing the
death toll to 65. The Greek Ministry of Economy
provisionally estimates that the damage will total about 1.6
billion Euro.


4. (U) PM Karamanlis and his government have been
ubiquituous in personal and media appearances to demonstrate
leadership in response to the crisis. Over the weekend, PM
Karamanlis presented a recovery plan, toured damaged areas
with European Commission President Barroso, and addressed the
nation. The government's line remains clear -- the
government will assist those affected and Greece will recover
from this disaster. Karamanlis also publicly speculated on
at least two occasions over the weekend that the fires were
"not a coincidence" but provided no justification or facts to
bolster this claim.


5. (U) Meanwhile, the Greek Government announced that a
total of 45,600 individuals have received initial
compensation, totaling 165,387,000 Euros. The Greek Finance
Ministry announced that the European Investment Bank will
make a 135 million USD long-term loan to Greece for
reconstruction. The Greek Culture Ministry announced plans
for restoration of the area surrounding ancient Olympia --
the birthplace of the ancient Olympics. Although the
antiquities were not harmed by the fires, the surrounding
area was severely damaged, and the Government plans to take
steps to clear burnt vegetation, carry out repairs to the
archaeological museum, and to replant the landscape.

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Barroso Visit
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6. (U) Following his tour of damaged areas with Karamanlis,
Barroso told the press "Greece's problem is Europe's
problem." Barroso said that the European Commission will
help assess the damage caused to the economy and environment
and will provide assistance to Greece; Barroso did not
specify the level of assistance, but did say that the EU's
Solidarity Fund would be "activated."

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Greek Proposal for EU
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7. (U) At the Sept. 3 meeting of EU ministers on European
Neighborhood Policy, FM Bakoyannis tabled a proposal for a
European "Rapid Reaction Force" to deal with natural
disasters. The Greek proposal is for EU member states to
designate assets for EU use in responding to natural
disasters when required. Under the Greek proposal, the
European Commission would also provide funding for some joint
infrastructure for this "Rapid Reaction Force." Greek press
reports that the Portuguese EU Presidency has agreed to add
this proposal to the agenda of the General Affairs meeting in
October in Luxembourg.

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U.S. Technical Assistance Team
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ATHENS 00001761 002 OF 002



8. (U) A technical assistance team from U.S. Forest Servic`ved Sept. 2 for a one-weeQhich includes specialistsgement
and a Soil ScQncy Rehabilitation
SpiQthens. The team will tourd areas in the Peloponnese
Sept. 5 - 6 before returning for an out-brief on Sept. 7.
The team hopes to continue dialogue and information exchange
upon their return to the U.S. in an effort to assist the GoG
in rehabilitation and mitigation of future disasters.
Additionally, the first delivery of one case of personal
protective equipment (out of twenty-one total cases
comprising 3,000 individual sets) arrived at Athens Airport
Sept. 4 today. We are planning a handover to the GoG
tomorrow, Sept. 5.

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Media Outreach - Action Request
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9. (SBU) The Embassy's Sept. 3 press release on the team's
arrival and additional donations to the Hellenic Red Cross
received straightforward coverage by AP and in several major
Greek newspapers. It has already generated requests for
interviews with top American firefighter Tom Harbour from two
serious, major Greek newspapers, one the general interest
Kathimerini, and the other economic daily Express. ACTION
REQUEST: We request USAID/OFDA clearance for Harbour to
engage with Greek media during this visit.


10. (SBU) Separately, to address the international and
Greek-American audiences, Charge is prepared to offer an
interview to the Athens or New York office of The National
Herald, the major Greek-American weekly newspaper, either
before or after Deputy Secretary Negroponte's scheduled
Wednesday, Sept. 5 interview with Greece's well-regarded
Antenna TV, which we expect to air on Thursday, Sept. 6
locally. A/DCM and IO will also seek out opportunities to
interview with English-language, expatriate-oriented local
outlets.
COUNTRYMAN