LEVINSON CASE: GREEKS RAISE WITH IRANIAN DEPUTY FM

S E C R E T ATHENS 000061 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/15/2018 TAGS: PREL CASC KDEM IR GR SUBJECT: LEVINSON CASE: GREEKS RAISE WITH IRANIAN DEPUTY FM REF: ATHENS 32 Classified By: A/Political Counselor Jeff Hovenier for 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (S) Greek MFA Deputy Director for Middle East Affairs Giorgos Ayvantis confirmed that Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Valinakis raised the Levinson case during his January 14 meeting with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Bagheri in Athens (septel will report further on the Iranians' visit to Athens). The Greek MFA said that Bagheri was "evasive" and "caught totally by surprise" by the Greeks raising this issue. Bagheri responded that Levinson had disappeared from a tourist area and that it is not the responsibility of the Iranian state to "keep track of all tourists." He added that the Iranian government is "not aware of his whereabouts." Bagheri then said that this was a "matter for the security service," and he asked that Greek interlocutors direct any further questions on the matter to the Iranian security services. When pressed by Valinakis, Bagheri then said that the Iranian security services would review the matter and be in touch with the Greek Ambassador in Tehran with any information; the Greek MFA has instructed the Greek Ambassador in Tehran to contact Iranian security services to follow-up. Greek MFA officials assessed that Bagheri was extremely discomfited by the discussion and noted that Bagheri hinted that he could not speak on an issue that falls under the competency of the Iranian security services. ¶2. (S) Meanwhile, Chief of the Greek Intelligence Services (EYP) Korandis has confirmed to Athens GRPO that he will raise this issue with his Iranian counterparts and will share any information he receives. SPECKHARD