GREEKS STUDYING CYPRUS ARMS COUNTER-DRAFTS

C O N F I D E N T I A L ATHENS 000686 SIPDIS SIPDIS PM/RSAT, EUR/SE, EUR/RPM E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/04/2017 TAGS: MARR MASS PARM PGOV PREL NATO CY GR SUBJECT: GREEKS STUDYING CYPRUS ARMS COUNTER-DRAFTS REF: A. SECSTATE 41819 ¶B. CARTER-DOWLEY-GOODMAN EMAILS/TELCONS ¶C. SECSTATE 35756 ¶D. ATHENS 00385 ¶E. ATHENS 00110 ¶F. 2006 ATHENS 02884 ¶G. 2006 SECSTATE 165770 Classified By: AMBASSADOR CHARLES P. RIES. REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D). ¶1. (C) On April 4, Ambassador delivered U.S. counter-draft of the Greek letter on a plan to resolve the issue of the illegal transfer of U.S.-origin equipment to Cyprus (ref c) and proposed U.S. response letter (ref a) to MFA Secretary General Charalambos Rocanas and Chief of Defense (CHOD) Admiral Panagiotis Chinofotis. Ambassador explained key points of the drafts, such as specific details of the personnel and physical measures to ensure exclusive Greek command and control of the U.S.-origin equipment. Chinofotis said the MOD had already been planning to consolidate the equipment in as few locations as possible and to construct distinct entrances/exits under exclusive Greek control. ¶2. (C) Rocanas and Chinofotis said they would study the U.S. drafts and answer us shortly. Once the texts are agreed, Ambassador and Rocanas will exchange the letters. Chinofotis said that following the letter exchange, Greece would begin consolidation and construction work. We understand the MOD has already begun the process of identifying and transferring personnel to Cyprus to implement the plan. RIES