Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ATHENS2349
2007-12-13 12:49:00
SECRET
Embassy Athens
Cable title:  

GREECE: NIE "NO EFFECT" ON IRAN POLICY

Tags:  MNUC KNNP IR PARM GR 
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VZCZCXRO0861
OO RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHDIR RUEHKUK
DE RUEHTH #2349 3471249
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
O 131249Z DEC 07
FM AMEMBASSY ATHENS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0897
INFO RUCNIRA/IRAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
S E C R E T ATHENS 002349 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/13/2017
TAGS: MNUC KNNP IR PARM GR
SUBJECT: GREECE: NIE "NO EFFECT" ON IRAN POLICY

REF: A. SECSTATE 162558


B. SECSTATE 165967

Classified By: A/POLCOUNS JEFF HOVENIER. REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).

S E C R E T ATHENS 002349

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/13/2017
TAGS: MNUC KNNP IR PARM GR
SUBJECT: GREECE: NIE "NO EFFECT" ON IRAN POLICY

REF: A. SECSTATE 162558


B. SECSTATE 165967

Classified By: A/POLCOUNS JEFF HOVENIER. REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).


1. (S) Embassy delivered ref A points to a number of key
officials in the Greek foreign policy apparatus, including:
Deputy Director of the PM's Diplomatic Cabinet Ambassador
Constantinos Bitsios, Head of the MFA's A7 North American
Directorate Grigoris Vassiloconstantakis, senior MFA
non-proliferation officer and point-man on Iran/IAEA matters
Dionyssios Kyvetos of the D1 International Organizations
Directorate, Head of the MFA A6 Middle East Directorate and
chief advisor to FM Bakoyannis on Middle East matters
Ambassador Vassilis Papaioannou, and A6 Deputy Head Giorgos
Ayfantis. Embassy subsequently delivered ref B points to
Kyvetos and Papaioannou/Ayfantis.


2. (S) Kyvetos said Greece believed the NIE should have "no
effect" on how the international community responded to Iran.
Although Iran had halted its weaponization and enrichment
activities, they could easily take them back up. Greece
strongly supported efforts to press for a third sanctions
resolution in the UNSC, although Kyvetos expressed doubts
that Russia or China would support such a step. Greece was
pressing for the December 14 European Council to adopt
"strong" conclusions.


3. (S) Ayfantis essentially seconded Kyvetos's statements and
expanded on next steps. Borrowing from Churchill, he said
Iran was a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma, and
no one really knew what the Iranians were up to. It was
clear, however, that they remained dangerous. The NIE
demonstrated that the strategy of the international community
was working and should be continued. Greece did not believe
a "frontal assault" through airstrikes or other military
means would be effective and could backfire. Kyvetos also
emphasized the need for a "firm but diplomatic" solution. At
the same time, Ayfantis said we should work to deprive Iran
of support from regional allies, such as Hamas, Hezbollah,
and Syria. Such allies made it possible for Iran to promote
itself as a regional power, which was dangerous. Without
this support, Iran would be alone in the region and more
likely "to come to its senses."
SPECKHARD