VISA WAIVER: GREEK FM BAKOYANNIS PRESSES FOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L ATHENS 001122

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/SE, CA/P, CA/VO, AND CA/L
DHS FOR MARC FREY

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/05/2018
TAGS: PREL CVIS PTER GR
SUBJECT: VISA WAIVER: GREEK FM BAKOYANNIS PRESSES FOR
TIMELY MOU TO GET PACKAGE THROUGH PARLIAMENT

Classified By: AMBASSADOR DANIEL SPECKHARD. REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).


1. (C) In separate conversations with Ambassador, FM
Bakoyannis and her Chef de Cabinet Ambassador Halistanis
pressed for the U.S. response to the Greek comments on the
Visa Waiver (VWP) MOU draft from March and closely linked
Greek signature and ratification of the HSPD-6 text on
terrorist database sharing. In her August 4 telephone call,
Bakoyannis said she would seek to get quick parliamentary
ratification of the HSPD-6 document during the August summer
session (when it is operating with reduced membership) -- but
only if she were able to bring the VWP MOU forward at the
same time. She explained that the HSPD-6 was not an easy
sell to the Greek parliament due to compatibility with
privacy laws. But she thought simultaneous consideration of
the VWP MOU would sufficiently sweeten the pot to gain HSPD-6
ratification. Moreover, she argued that it would simply be
impossible for her to go to parliament twice on VWP issues,
once for the HSPD-6 and then again later for the VWP MOU.
She was clearly anxious to move on both in August, while
there is only a "skeleton crew" of parliamentarians and
little public debate.


2. (C) In a July 25 conversation with Ambassador, Halistanis
had also asked for an update on the MOU. Halistanis said he
was aware the U.S. and Greece were very close to agreement on
the text of the HSPD-6 agreement but reiterated that the
agreement needed parliamentary approval. Halistanis
emphasized the GOG was prepared to send an agreed-upon final
text of HSPD-6 before the legislators very soon but wanted
the HSPD-6 and MOU to go as a package.


3. (C) COMMENT: In order to secure passage of HSPD-6 -- an
important agreement for our national security interests -- we
recommend moving to finalize the VWP MOU at the same time.
This will secure GOG commitments to data sharing and move the
package through the Greek parliament, while still offering
opportunities to hold off on implementation of the Visa
Waiver Program until the U.S. is ready.
SPECKHARD