GREEK RESPONSE TO U.S. MISSILE DEFENSE PLAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L ATHENS 001487 SIPDIS AMEMBASSY ANKARA PASS TO AMCONSUL ADANA AMEMBASSY ASTANA PASS TO USOFFICE ALMATY AMEMBASSY BERLIN PASS TO AMCONSUL DUSSELDORF AMEMBASSY BERLIN PASS TO AMCONSUL LEIPZIG AMEMBASSY BELGRADE PASS TO AMEMBASSY PODGORICA AMEMBASSY HELSINKI PASS TO AMCONSUL ST PETERSBURG AMEMBASSY ATHENS PASS TO AMCONSUL THESSALONIKI AMEMBASSY MOSCOW PASS TO AMCONSUL VLADIVOSTOK AMEMBASSY MOSCOW PASS TO AMCONSUL YEKATERINBURG E.O. 12958: DECL: 2019/09/21 TAGS: PREL NATO MARR GR SUBJECT: GREEK RESPONSE TO U.S. MISSILE DEFENSE PLAN REF: STATE 96526 CLASSIFIED BY: Daniel V. Speckhard, Ambassador; REASON: 1.4(B),(D) ¶1. (C) On September 18, Post delivered reftel points to the Greek MFA's NATO Directorate. They viewed the President's announcement in general terms as a positive recalibration of U.S. efforts, and queried as to the location of any future radar or launcher sites, given recent speculation in the Greek media about Turkey's role in future missile defense plans, and intentions for the U.S. to sell Patriot missiles to Turkey. Our interlocutors clarified their main interest was simply following events in their region, and not any sense of concern. They noted any Greek government would have to deal with sensationalistic stories in the Greek press in such a scenario. The Greeks appreciated the September 17 high-level briefing at NATO, and our commitment to work closely with Allies in the future. ¶2. (C) Comment: An enhanced role for Turkey in our missile defense architecture will indeed be of concern to Greek policymakers as well as the average citizen. Sensationalistic "news" stories from the notorious Greek press could stand to box in leaders during this highly charged political season. We believe that our senior Greek interlocutors do understand the threat from Iran and the potentially important role Turkey can play. Proactive engagement with Greece as U.S. planning moves forward on future sites can help us keep the Greek government informed and on our side, and help them help us as they operate in and manage their domestic politics. Speckhard