Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ATHENS113
2009-01-29 14:42:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Athens
Cable title:  

AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH NEW ALTERNATE MINISTER

Tags:  PREL PGOV PTER PHUM KTIP KCRM SMIG EFIN TU GR 
pdf how-to read a cable
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OO RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHNP RUEHROV RUEHSR
DE RUEHTH #0113/01 0291442
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 291442Z JAN 09
FM AMEMBASSY ATHENS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3096
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
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
-------
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