GREECE AND NUCLEAR NONPROLIFERATION TREATY (NPT)

UNCLAS ATHENS 000230 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AORC CDG ENRG KNNP MNUC PARM PGOV PREL UNGA IAEA, NPT, GR SUBJECT: GREECE AND NUCLEAR NONPROLIFERATION TREATY (NPT) REF: A. ATHENS 138 ¶B. STATE 6970 ¶1. (SBU) We discussed ref B points and request for information on Greek views on the current Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) review cycle with the Greek POC on NPT matters, MFA D1 Directorate Second Counselor Loukas Tsokos (contact information in ref A),on February 2 and again on February 19. Tsokos expressed appreciation for the U.S. views and interest, which he was aware had also been shared with other EU countries. Tsokos said he would travel to Brussels February 20 for a series of meetings with EU partners, and he believed a common EU position on the NPT review cycle was one of the likely outcomes. Tsokos was certain Greece would support the EU position, as it had in the past, but he was unable to share other Greek perspectives prior to the EU meetings. ¶2. (SBU) In response to ref A request for post's views on Greek attitudes, the NPT is not a prominent issue in Greece. Traditionally, however, the Greek government has been very supportive of the NPT, including by making public statements about the importance of Iran abiding by international standards and NPT commitments. This opposition to the spread of nuclear weapons is largely shared by both leading political parties, the ruling New Democracy and the opposition PASOK. It is possible that the Greek view on nuclear proliferation is in part explained by concern over persistent press reports suggesting the Turkish military is collaborating with Pakistan on acquiring nuclear weapons, although Greek officials rarely if ever raise Turkey in the NPT context. Smaller leftist parties in Greece, especially the Communist Party, have criticized the NPT as unfair because it permits the U.S. and other countries to have nuclear weapons, but this is not the mainstream view in Greek political circles. SPECKHARD