Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ATHENS630
2008-05-09 14:26:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Athens
Cable title:
BURMA: GREEK C-130S DELIVERING ASSISTANCE
how-toVZCZCXRO9784 OO RUEHAG RUEHROV DE RUEHTH #0630 1301426 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 091426Z MAY 08 FM AMEMBASSY ATHENS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1758 INFO ASEAN/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS PRIORITY RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING PRIORITY 0256 RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA PRIORITY 0276 RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD PRIORITY 0645 RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW PRIORITY 1009 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 0291 RUEHOT/AMEMBASSY OTTAWA PRIORITY 0710 RUEHGO/AMEMBASSY RANGOON PRIORITY 0047 RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL PRIORITY 0121 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO PRIORITY 0153 RUEHWL/AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON PRIORITY 0026 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0319 RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY 0261
C O N F I D E N T I A L ATHENS 000630
SIPDIS
DEPT ALSO FOR EAP/MLS AARON COPE
E.O. 12958: DECL:05/08/2018
TAGS: PREL, EAID, BM, GR
SUBJECT:BURMA: GREEK C-130S DELIVERING ASSISTANCE
RF: STATE 48651
Classified By: A/DCM Jeff Hovnier for 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ATHENS 000630
SIPDIS
DEPT ALSO FOR EAP/MLS AARON COPE
E.O. 12958: DECL:05/08/2018
TAGS: PREL, EAID, BM, GR
SUBJECT:BURMA: GREEK C-130S DELIVERING ASSISTANCE
RF: STATE 48651
Classified By: A/DCM Jeff Hovnier for 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) A/DCM met May 9 with Ambassador Alexios
Christopoulos, Director of the MFA A10 Directorate for Asia
and Oceania to raise reftel points on the humanitarian
response to cyclone Nargis in Burma. In reply, Christopoulos
made the following points:
-- Encouraging the Burmese regime to grant access for all
international relief teams: Christopoulos said Greece has
been in contact with Burmese authorities and has urged the
Burmese authorities to be "as open and flexible as possible"
in granting access to relief workers. Christopoulos said
that the Burmese authorities are "very cautious" and worry
that allowing too much access could undercut their "control
of the country." Nonetheless, Greece will continue to raise
this point with Burmese, and will support any EU efforts in
this regard. Christopoulos added that Greek contacts are
"limited" as Greece has no Embassy in Rangoon. The Greek
Ambassador in Thailand is also accredited to Burma, but has
visited the country "only once when he presented his
credentials," as Greece has pursued a policy of limited
contact.
-- Greek Relief Efforts: On May 7, FM Bakoyannis announced a
Greek contribution of 129,000 Euros (200,000 USD) to go
towards food assistance through the UN World Food program.
Greece has also sent a C-130 filled with relief supplies
(tents and blankets provided by the Greek Red Cross) and
pharmaceuticals (provided by the NGO World Pharmacists),and
is preparing a second flight that will likely depart "within
the next two or three days." The Greek MFA has also released
a press statement urging Greek citizens to donate to a
special bank account at the MFA to provide additional relief
funds.
2. (C) Christopoulos said that Burmese officials had
"welcomed" the Greek C-130 relief flights. The first flight
departed late May 8 and is currently en route. The second
flight is expected to depart May 10 or 11. Christopoulos
said that there had been some "difficulties" in obtaining
overflight clearances from India (the Indians had approved a
more limited overflight time to/from Burma than the Greeks
sought),but that these difficulties have been resolved.
Christopoulos said the Burmese government issued overflight
and landing rights for the Rangoon airport quickly, and has
indicated that it will have personnel ready to off-load the
Greek C-130 immediately upon arrival and take possession of
the relief supplies.
SPECKHARD
SIPDIS
DEPT ALSO FOR EAP/MLS AARON COPE
E.O. 12958: DECL:05/08/2018
TAGS: PREL, EAID, BM, GR
SUBJECT:BURMA: GREEK C-130S DELIVERING ASSISTANCE
RF: STATE 48651
Classified By: A/DCM Jeff Hovnier for 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) A/DCM met May 9 with Ambassador Alexios
Christopoulos, Director of the MFA A10 Directorate for Asia
and Oceania to raise reftel points on the humanitarian
response to cyclone Nargis in Burma. In reply, Christopoulos
made the following points:
-- Encouraging the Burmese regime to grant access for all
international relief teams: Christopoulos said Greece has
been in contact with Burmese authorities and has urged the
Burmese authorities to be "as open and flexible as possible"
in granting access to relief workers. Christopoulos said
that the Burmese authorities are "very cautious" and worry
that allowing too much access could undercut their "control
of the country." Nonetheless, Greece will continue to raise
this point with Burmese, and will support any EU efforts in
this regard. Christopoulos added that Greek contacts are
"limited" as Greece has no Embassy in Rangoon. The Greek
Ambassador in Thailand is also accredited to Burma, but has
visited the country "only once when he presented his
credentials," as Greece has pursued a policy of limited
contact.
-- Greek Relief Efforts: On May 7, FM Bakoyannis announced a
Greek contribution of 129,000 Euros (200,000 USD) to go
towards food assistance through the UN World Food program.
Greece has also sent a C-130 filled with relief supplies
(tents and blankets provided by the Greek Red Cross) and
pharmaceuticals (provided by the NGO World Pharmacists),and
is preparing a second flight that will likely depart "within
the next two or three days." The Greek MFA has also released
a press statement urging Greek citizens to donate to a
special bank account at the MFA to provide additional relief
funds.
2. (C) Christopoulos said that Burmese officials had
"welcomed" the Greek C-130 relief flights. The first flight
departed late May 8 and is currently en route. The second
flight is expected to depart May 10 or 11. Christopoulos
said that there had been some "difficulties" in obtaining
overflight clearances from India (the Indians had approved a
more limited overflight time to/from Burma than the Greeks
sought),but that these difficulties have been resolved.
Christopoulos said the Burmese government issued overflight
and landing rights for the Rangoon airport quickly, and has
indicated that it will have personnel ready to off-load the
Greek C-130 immediately upon arrival and take possession of
the relief supplies.
SPECKHARD