Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ATHENS1574
2008-11-20 14:13:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Athens
Cable title:
GREECE ANNOUNCES 15 PERCENT CUT IN MILITARY
how-toVZCZCXRO5752 OO RUEHIK RUEHPOD RUEHYG DE RUEHTH #1574 3251413 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 201413Z NOV 08 FM AMEMBASSY ATHENS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2811 INFO RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUCNDT/US MISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY
UNCLAS ATHENS 001574
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MASS PARM GR
SUBJECT: GREECE ANNOUNCES 15 PERCENT CUT IN MILITARY
SPENDING IN 2009
UNCLAS ATHENS 001574
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MASS PARM GR
SUBJECT: GREECE ANNOUNCES 15 PERCENT CUT IN MILITARY
SPENDING IN 2009
1. (U) In a November 14 statement before Parliament, Prime
Minister Karamanlis announced he would reduce military
spending by 15 percent in the 2009 state budget in a bid to
save money. While the revised budget has not yet been sent
to Parliament, Karamanlis indicated the funds would instead
be used to fund (unspecified) social programs in response to
the growing concern about the impact of the global economic
crisis on the Greek population. Karamanlis stated that
Greece's defense expenditures now amounted to less than 3
percentage points of GDP (6-10 billion dollars estimated).
He also noted that the defense expenditures of Greece's
neighbors approach 5 percentage points of GDP, a fact he said
could not be ignored. Karamanlis did not specifically
address whether the cut would be applied equally across all
defense programs or whether specific defense programs would
be targeted.
2. (SBU) Many observers expect Greece to make a major
fighter aircraft acquisition during the first half of 2009.
Though no decisions have been made, according to the local
Aviation Lockhead Martin representative, this reduction in
the defense budget could favor the purchase of additional
F-16s. The Hellenic Air Force (HAF) has an operational near
term requirement for 30-40 fighter aircraft. It is the view
of the local Lockheed Martin representative that the F-16 is
the most likely candidate for the interim/near term solution
from an operational and cost effective point of view.
European weapons such as the Eurofighter and the Rafale will
be difficult to justify and support, given that Greece would
incur substantial costs associated with operating a new model
of fighter aircraft.
3. (U) In a debate in Parliament, Radical Left Coalition
(SYRIZA) Parliamentary leader Alavanos suggested that defense
spending should be cut by 50 percent. Karamanlis rebuffed
this suggestion stating as long as Greece faces a potential
threat from Turkey, it would be unable to cut back farther.
Leading opposition PASOK party representatives stated that
they support the proposed decrease in the defense budget.
SPECKHARD
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MASS PARM GR
SUBJECT: GREECE ANNOUNCES 15 PERCENT CUT IN MILITARY
SPENDING IN 2009
1. (U) In a November 14 statement before Parliament, Prime
Minister Karamanlis announced he would reduce military
spending by 15 percent in the 2009 state budget in a bid to
save money. While the revised budget has not yet been sent
to Parliament, Karamanlis indicated the funds would instead
be used to fund (unspecified) social programs in response to
the growing concern about the impact of the global economic
crisis on the Greek population. Karamanlis stated that
Greece's defense expenditures now amounted to less than 3
percentage points of GDP (6-10 billion dollars estimated).
He also noted that the defense expenditures of Greece's
neighbors approach 5 percentage points of GDP, a fact he said
could not be ignored. Karamanlis did not specifically
address whether the cut would be applied equally across all
defense programs or whether specific defense programs would
be targeted.
2. (SBU) Many observers expect Greece to make a major
fighter aircraft acquisition during the first half of 2009.
Though no decisions have been made, according to the local
Aviation Lockhead Martin representative, this reduction in
the defense budget could favor the purchase of additional
F-16s. The Hellenic Air Force (HAF) has an operational near
term requirement for 30-40 fighter aircraft. It is the view
of the local Lockheed Martin representative that the F-16 is
the most likely candidate for the interim/near term solution
from an operational and cost effective point of view.
European weapons such as the Eurofighter and the Rafale will
be difficult to justify and support, given that Greece would
incur substantial costs associated with operating a new model
of fighter aircraft.
3. (U) In a debate in Parliament, Radical Left Coalition
(SYRIZA) Parliamentary leader Alavanos suggested that defense
spending should be cut by 50 percent. Karamanlis rebuffed
this suggestion stating as long as Greece faces a potential
threat from Turkey, it would be unable to cut back farther.
Leading opposition PASOK party representatives stated that
they support the proposed decrease in the defense budget.
SPECKHARD