GREECE: ENGAGEMENT ON OUR AFGHANISTAN MESSAGE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ATHENS 001677

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E.O. 12958: DECL: 2019/12/04
TAGS: PREL PGOV KPAO NATO MARR GR AF
SUBJECT: GREECE: ENGAGEMENT ON OUR AFGHANISTAN MESSAGE

REF: A.) STATE 123222, B.) STATE 122731, C.) ATHENS 1665

CLASSIFIED BY: Daniel V. Speckhard, Ambassador; REASON: 1.4(B),(D)


1. (C) SUMMARY. Embassy Athens took advantage of the Deputy
Secretary's October 1-2 visit to press the Greek government for
greater contributions in Afghanistan, and reinforce with the media
the themes in the President's December 1 announcement. In a
bilateral meeting October 2 with Greek PM Papandreou, the Deputy
Secretary outlined our new Afghan strategy, shared thoughts on
Pakistan, and urged strong support from Allies, including Greece.
A/S Gordon, traveling with the Deputy, reinforced our thinking and
the need for Greece to do more in Afghanistan with Alternate
Foreign Minister Droutsas on December 1. Ambassador Speckhard had
earlier pressed our case with Defense Minister Venizelos (reftel
C). On the public affairs side, the Deputy Secretary conducted a
press roundtable with international wire services, a television
interview, and gave an exclusive interview to one of the largest
Greek dailies. The Ambassador will discuss Afghanistan with one of
northern Greece's most prominent papers on December 7. PM
Papandreou did not issue a statement supporting the President's
announcement, which came while Papandreou was consumed with OSCE
Chairman duties. We will continue to press. Increasing ISAF
support remains a tough sell with both the Greek government and
public but the Prime Minister has indicated the desire to do more
on the humanitarian and civilian side. Greek media gave mixed
coverage to the President's announcement. END SUMMARY.



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ON THE POLICY SIDE

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2. (C) Building on the Ambassador's November 27 session with MOD
Venizelos for more Greek support to ISAF, Deputy Secretary
Steinberg on December 2 reinforced the President's Afghanistan
message from the night before with PM Papandreou. Looking at ISAF,
he emphasized the need for Allied support, and noted that a strong
signal from Allies like Greece would provide a buoy for the
President's plan with the U.S. domestic audience. PM Papandreou
indicated that Greece would try to do more on what he termed the
"second track," with more training and other civilian efforts, and
would provide public support to the President's efforts. Septel to
follow. A/S Gordon pursued the same track in a meeting the prior
day with Alternate FM Droutsas; Droutsas had no substantive
comments on Afghanistan. (Comment: as of December 4, we have seen
no public statements of support from Papandreou or his Ministers.
Papandreou and Droutsas were both consumed with OSCE Chairman
duties during the December 1-2 Ministerial they hosted in Athens.
We will raise the need for this again. Military contributions to
ISAF are a tough sell in Greece, though humanitarian and other
assistance less so. End comment.)



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ON THE PUBLIC SIDE

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3. (U) On the public affairs side, the Deputy Secretary conducted
a press roundtable with international wire services, a television
interview with major broadcaster Hellenic Public Television, and
gave an exclusive interview to one of the largest Greek dailies, To
Vima, which is set to run Sunday, December 6. The Ambassador will
discuss Afghanistan with one of northern Greece's most prominent
papers on December 7. Future outreach for both the Ambassador and
DCM is planned.

ATHENS 00001677 002 OF 002



4. (U) Greek press had mixed coverage on the President's
announcement. Center-left Ta Nea carried a prominent inside local
report under the headline: "Obama Plan Raises Concerns;
Afghanistan: Mixed Reactions in EU, USA to the Deployment of 30,000
Troops." Ta Nea also carried Friedman's column from The New York
Times under the headline: "This I Believe." Respected independent
Kathimerini noted General McChrystal's satisfaction with the
decision, but underlined the Taliban's response that the additional
forces will strengthen the "determination" of Afghan Taliban to
fight against them. The same paper also highlighted NATO Secretary
General Rasmussen's remark that at least 5,000 additional troops
should be deployed by NATO member states. Center-left Ethnos
carried a prominent inside local report under the headline: "Obama
Address on Afghanistan; Deploys 30,000 New Rambos; Deployment
Coupled with Commitment for Withdrawal Starting July 2011; Taliban
Threaten More Coffins." Internet portal www.in.gr reported that
NATO Ministers will extensively discuss the Afghanistan situation
in their upcoming Brussels Ministerial in light of the Obama
speech. Others, like www.nooz.gr, focused on the Taliban
response/threat to strengthen their fight against coalition forces.
Flash Radio focused on international media comments drawing
parallels between Afghanistan and Vietnam. Many newspapers focused
on the risk to the Obama Presidency of sending troops to
Afghanistan and the importance of the outcome to his re-election.
Speckhard