DEPUTY MINISTER OF DEFENSE PRESSES ON BILAT

C O N F I D E N T I A L ATHENS 002130 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT ALSO FOR EUR/SE, EUR/RPM AND PM; SECDEF FOR DASD FATA E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/28/2017 TAGS: PREL MARR MASS MOPS NATO GR SUBJECT: DEPUTY MINISTER OF DEFENSE PRESSES ON BILAT TALKS/DEMURS ON PROCUREMENT, AFGHANISTAN, AND AEGEAN EXERCISES Classified By: Charge Tom Countryman for 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (U) This message contains an action request -- see paragraphs 2 and 5. -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶2. (C) In a 10/29 meeting with Charge, Deputy Minister of Defense Plakiotakis asked when the U.S. would host Greece in the annual High Level Consultative Committee (HLCC). An annual Hion under the U.S./Greeoperation. Given rece Grapsas and PM Karamanase Greek contribution@ this meeting be hosted bQ-- preferably in early/mirt guidance on U.S. plae HLCC. ¶3. (C) Charge pressed Plakiotakis on defense procurement issues -- emphasizing the need for fair, transparent and non-political decisions. Charge asked for greater Greek contributions to Afghanistan, noting the particular need for rotary-wing lift, and encouraged Greece to consult early and actively with NATO on its concerns related to Aegean exercises/issues. Plakiotakis was positive but non-committal on all points, noting that he remains "new" in his position as Deputy Minister. End Summary. -------------- HLCC -- When? -------------- ¶4. (C) Deputy Defense Minister Plakiotakis (who was appointed to his position after the September 2007 Parliamentary elections) led off his initial meeting with Charge to ask when the U.S. will host the annual High-Level Consultative Committee (HLCC). Charge responded that the U.S. is considering dates, but that we do not yet have a specific date to offer. Plakiotakis said that he would lead the Greek delegation to the HLCC and asked for as much lead time as possible, while also emphasizing the GOG's desire to have the HLCC "this year." ¶5. (C) Comment and Action Request: Under the terms of the U.S./Greece bilateral Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement, we have a treaty obligation to hold an HLCC annually. The last HLCC was held in May 2006, hosted by Greece. This approach by Deputy Minister Plakiotakis is the highest-level approach we have thus far received on the HLCC, but senior MFA officials have also raised the question of the HLCC with Charge and other Embassy representatives. CHOD Grapsas recently told Charge that he and PM Karamanlis are "looking" for ways to increase Greece's contributions in Afghanistan. The HLCC could be an important means to lock in such a commitment. We recommend we host an HLCC in 2007 to ensure we comply with our treaty obligation to Greece -- preferably early to mid- December. End Comment/Action Request. -------------- Procurement, Afghanistan, and the Aegean -------------- ¶6. (C) Charge noted that Greece is about to make a number of large defense procurements. This is an issue that the U.S. follows closely. The U.S. does not believe that political criteria should be part of the calculation. The U.S. is a friend to Greece, and doesn't require Greece to demonstrate that friendship through purchasing U.S.-manufacture defense articles. Likewise, Europe is a friend to Greece, and Greece should feel no obligations to purchase European-origin defense articles to demonstrate its friendship to Europe. The U.S. hopes for a procurement decisions to be fair, transparent, and non-political. Charge pointed to an upcoming decision on tank ammunition. The U.S.-origin ammunition is the lowest cost, available now, and most effective. ¶7. (C) Plakiotakis responded that Greece is facing challenges in modernizing its military while reducing defense expenditures. He noted that he is "new" in his position as Deputy Minister, but promised to take our concerns on board. ¶8. (C) Charge recounted NATO's call for additional support to ISAF with particular emphasis on rotary-wing aircraft -- something Greece could provide. We are pleased that Greece has decided to deploy on Operational Mentor and Liaison Team (OMLT) to Afghanistan in early 2008, and Charge asked that Greece consider further OMLT contributions as well. Plakiotakis responded that Greece has offered economic and technical assistance as well in Afghanistan. He did not directly respond to Charge's request that Greece consider deploying rotary-wing aircraft or additional OMLTs. ¶9. (C) Charge also raised the question of NATO exercises in the Aegean. Charge noted that no one wishes to be "in the middle" between Greece and Turkey; we all rely on decisions by the NAC, the NATO Secretary General, and the NATO Military Authorities on these issues. He encouraged Plakiotakis to ensure that Greece is raising its concerns in Brussels with NATO authorities. Te U.S. welcomes consultations with Greece on hese issues, but Greece needs to "go for help in Brussels." Plakiotakis responded by noting Greece's policy of seeking to help develop a "strong democracy" in Turkey. Greece wants a Turkey that has "strong relations with Greece and the EU." He did not respond directly to Charge's point that Greece needs to address its concerns with NATO positions on Aegean issues with NATO authorities in Brussels. COUNTRYMAN