GREECE: U.S.-IRAQ DECLARATION "POSITIVE NEWS"

C O N F I D E N T I A L ATHENS 002278 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/27/2017 TAGS: MARR MOPS PREL PGOV IZ GR SUBJECT: GREECE: U.S.-IRAQ DECLARATION "POSITIVE NEWS" REF: SECSTATE 159862 Classified By: POLCOUNS ROBIN QUINVILLE. REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D). ¶1. (C) On November 27, DepPolCouns delivered reftel points and text of the declaration on the long-term relationship between the U.S. and Iraq to Giorgos Ayfantis, Deputy Head of the MFA A-6 Directorate for Middle East Issues. ¶2. (C) Ayfantis regarded the signing of the declaration as a very positive development, which would place the relations between the two sovereign governments on a new, normal footing. Despite misgivings about the start of the intervention in Iraq, Ayfantis explained, once the war had begun, Greece supported U.S. policy and the Iraqi government's efforts to establish peace and stability. Thus, the signing of the declaration was good news for Greece as well. SPECKHARD