GREECE/IRAN: GOG IMPLEMENTING 1835 AND IRISL

S E C R E T ATHENS 001437 SIPDIS DEPT FOR ISN, T, NEA/IR E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/14/2018 TAGS: MNUC PARM KNNP IR GR PREL SUBJECT: GREECE/IRAN: GOG IMPLEMENTING 1835 AND IRISL MEASURES REF: A. SECSTATE 105173 ¶B. SECSTATE 104496 ¶C. ATHENS 1347 Classified By: A/POLCOUNS JEFFREY HOVENIER. REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D). ¶1. (S) DepPolCouns and visiting EUR/SE Desk Officer Goodman discussed ref A and B demarches on UNSC 1835 and the designation of the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) with MFA A6 Directorate for Middle East Issues deputy head Giorgos Ayfantis. Ayfantis stated categorically that Greece would take steps to implement UNSC 1835, but he provided no details on the specific measures. DepEconCouns also delivered the demarches to Panagoitis Kyriakopoulos, Director for Bank Supervision, Bank of Greece. ¶2. (S) As reported in ref C, FM Bakoyannis agreed to an advisory being issued on IRISL, and Deputy Minister for Mercantile Marine Kammenos told us that his Ministry had issued the advisory. Subsequent to ref C, Kammenos provided us a copy of the advisory (in Greek). ¶3. (S) COMMENT: While the GOG agreed to issue the IRISL advisory and to implement the 1835 measures, it is clear that the GOG remains wary of getting cross-wise with Greek shipowners, who do much business with Iran. As Ayfantis explained to us once again, the shippers are savvy and cynical, with little regard for GOG warnings. Given the tremendous political influence the shipowners wield in Greece, the GOG will tread lightly. GOG officials find it easier, however, to take action against targeted individuals or companies when we provide them specific information. SPECKHARD