AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH NEW ALTERNATE MINISTER

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ATHENS 000113 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/20/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER PHUM KTIP KCRM SMIG EFIN TU GR SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH NEW ALTERNATE MINISTER OF PUBLIC ORDER MARKOYIANNAKIS REF: ATHENS 54 Classified By: Ambassador Daniel V. Speckhard for reasons 1.4(b) and (d ). Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) In a January 15 courtesy call with Christos Markoyiannakis, newly appointed to the key position of Altern!Q% A)"QQQ!Q" QQ Q)Lrder, the Ambassador streQQQ$QQQTQQQ!QQQQQQQbout terrorism and human tQQ"Q "!$ "!Q! QQQQQat both problems were Q!$ Q% Qreed to help work on several specific cases raised by the Ambassador and to be open for continued dialogue with the Embassy. Markoyiannakis said his goal was to eradicate terrorist groups in Greece, such as Revolutionary Struggle, and he expressed concern that such groups were trying to exploit the situation following the December rioting. End Summary. Fighting Domestic Terror Groups -------------- ¶2. (C) After opening pleasantries, Markoyiannakis indicated to the Ambassador that he was very familiar with the nature of the work at the ministry based on his legal career, previous tenure in the ministry, and his personal concerns regarding justice and law enforcement. He noted that the events of the past month were disconcerting and that he was concerned by the messages imparted in the proclamation issued by the Greek terrorist organization Revolutionary Struggle (RS) following their attempted murder of a Greek policeman (reftel). He noted that RS "wanted to kill" and as such posed a clear danger. Markoyiannakis underscored that resolving the terrorism problem was an immediate priority for his ministry and the Greek government. He later underscored that he wished to eradicate the remnants of terrorist groups in Greece, welcoming continued U.S. investigative assistance and cooperation designed to combat the problem. The Ambassador welcomed Markoyiannakis's comments and noted that in the areas of both domestic and foreign terrorism, the U.S. was prepared to assist as it could, indicating that Greece had no greater partner in this endeavor. The Illegal Migration Factor -------------- ¶3. (C) The Ambassador acknowledged the strain and socio-economic impact on Greece of the growing number of illegal aliens entering Greece, and the related vulnerabilities to terrorist travel. He indicated that bilateral and multilateral efforts to use biometrics and similar tracking regimes would be areas in which he would seek Markoyiannakis's support. Markoyiannakis acknowledged that he was not fully read up on biometrics, but could say that Greece's extensive coastline was vulnerable to those who chose to drop off illegals in Greek waters, noting that Greece was obliged to pick up and care for these individuals in processing centers. He further noted that "Greece's neighbors" -- and Turkey specifically -- could allow Muslims from other countries to enter their borders but were not doing much to stem the tide of their illicit transfer to Greece and other parts of Europe. The Ambassador indicated that that the U.S. was seeking to assist Greece in illegal migration matters, particularly as the issue had both a criminal and international terrorism dimension, whereby terrorists could use this channel to enter Greece and other parts of Europe and threaten security or seek to radicalize like-minded individuals in Greece. Markoyiannakis welcomed further discussion on this matter, later underscoring that he wished to combat the "eastern border problem." Dealing with Anarchists and Kidnappers -------------- ¶4. (C) In the midst of the meeting, Markoyiannakis was interrupted by an urgent phone call. Markoyiannakis later indicated that the call had been good news. He said that the demonstration by police union activists on Syntagma Square in downtown Athens -- protesting the violence committed against the police -- was not, as previously expected, met by a violent counter-demonstration from the anarchists. Markoyiannakis quipped that despite being initially criticized as a hard-headed and tough law enforcement proponent, it seemed that the anarchists had taken him at his word and "had conducted themseQQQ QQQ QQQ" QQrkoyiannakis segued to hisoted that historically kidnapping incidents were resolved in Greece. The Ambassador conveyed his concern and indicated ATHENS 00000113 002 OF 002 that there were some who feared there may be links between such acts and fund-raising efforts by terrorists. Markoyiannakis commented that he did not believe there was a linkage in this particular case. Markoyiannakis predicted that the case would be resolved and the money would be recovered. (Note: Panagopoulos, who had been kidnapped January 12, was released January 20. End Note.) Exchanging Information on Key Cases -------------- ¶5. (C) On two separate and ongoing legal issues, the Ambassador wished to note the forthcoming February final appeals process by convicted members of the Greek terrorist group Revolutionary Organization 17 November (17N),noting that theU.S. was particularly interested in this proces. Markoyiannakis confessed he was unaware tat 17N hearings were still going on. He thouht it was probably a technical legal matter, but he pledged to look into it. Separately, the Ambassador raised the case of an accused Greek American criminal, Evangelos Haliyannis, whose trial was slated to begin on January 16 in Crete. Haliyannis defrauded U.S. and Greek citizens in financial schemes and had been indicted in the U.S. He fled to Greece were he later applied for and acquired Greek citizenship. He is facing similar charges in Greece. The Embassy Legatt is seeking his extradition. Markoyiannakis requested the Ambassador provide him with a summary of the case, adding that he recalled a recent conversation with a legal colleague in Crete that may have been this case. He noted that the courts would require evidence of his crime and were obliged to send him to the U.S. The Ambassador promised to provide him with a case summary. Trafficking and Financial Flows -------------- ¶6. (C) The Ambassador also stressed the importance of the issue of human trafficking, and asked that Markoyiannakis and the Embassy work to improve monitoring systems to prevent trafficking. Markoyiannakis agreed, adding forcefully that he was focused on three main issues: narcotics, human trafficking and terrorism. He pledge that he would spare no effort to address these issues. The Ambassador also brought up the issue of illegal financial flows and how these included finances fed by the full range of illegal activities (including narcotics, terrorism, and human trafficking) and sought Greece's assistance in going after the sources and mechanisms of such activities. Markoyiannakis fully agreed with the magnitude of the problem and welcomed further dialogue on this issue. ¶7. (C) Markoyiannakis welcomed an offer to remain in close contact with the Embassy on these issues. SPECKHARD