LEVINSON CASE: GREEK FM WILLING TO RAISE WITH IRAN

S E C R E T ATHENS 000032 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/07/2018 TAGS: PREL CASC KDEM IR GR SUBJECT: LEVINSON CASE: GREEK FM WILLING TO RAISE WITH IRAN REF: A. 2007 ATHENS 2357 ¶B. 2007 SECSTATE 166406 Classified By: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES THOMAS COUNTRYMAN. REASONS 1.4 (B) AN D (D). ¶1. (U) This is an action request for Department. See paragraph 6. ¶2. (S) On January 7, Deputy Director of the MFA A6 Directorate for Middle East Affairs Giorgos Ayfantis requested a meeting with DepPolCouns to discuss the case of Amcit Robert Levinson missing in Iran (ref b). Ayfantis said that the Greek Ambassador to Tehran met with the Levinson family and an accompanying U.S. official during their December 17-23 visit to Iran, as per ref a. Ayfantis said the meeting was fruitful and resulted in the Ambassador meeting with the heads of the Iranian MFA sections for the EU and the U.S, respectively, Ambassadors Dolatyar and Sobhani. ¶3. (S) The Iranian officials, according to Ayfantis, listened carefully to the Greek Ambassador and did not dismiss the matter out of hand. The Ambassador took this as an indication that the GOI was aware of Levinson's whereabouts. The Iranians reportedly understood the "political parameters" of the case and conceded it would be good to explain the situation. They declined to go farther, however, saying it was a matter for the Iranian security services. The Greek Ambassador requested a meeting with officials of the security services, which was forwarded. He was awaiting a reply. ¶4. (S) Meanwhile, according to Ayfantis, Greek FM Bakoyannis was scheduled to meet with Iranian DFM Bagheri on January 14 in Athens. He said the Iranians saw the recent release of the U.S. National Intelligence estimate on Iranian nuclear intentions as an opportunity to "kick start" a dialogue with the EU and viewed Bakoyannis as a good channel. Bakoyannis was willing to raise the Levinson case with Bagheri, if the Embassy so requested. Ayfantis saw this as a good opportunity to take advantage of the Iranians' desire for better relations to seek further information on Levinson. ¶5. (S) Ayfantis also said Chief of the Greek Intelligence Service (EYP) Korandis was willing to raise the issue with Iranian counterparts, if so requested by Athens GRPO. Korandis had been getting requests from the Iranian services for a meeting but had been putting them off. Ayfantis said Korandis would now be willing to meet to use the opportunity to raise the Levinson case. ¶6. (S) ACTION REQUEST: Unless instructed otherwise, Charge d'Affaires will request FM Bakoyannis to raise the Levinson case with Iranian DFM Bagheri during their January 14 meeting. Athens GRPO will correspond with his headquarters regarding a request to EYP Chief Korandis to raise the issue with Iranian intelligence officials. COUNTRYMAN