Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ATHENS272
2009-03-03 16:09:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Athens
Cable title:
GREECE/AFGHANISTAN: VIEWS ON "ENGAGING ALLIES AND
how-toVZCZCXRO8154 OO RUEHSR DE RUEHTH #0272 0621609 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 031609Z MAR 09 FM AMEMBASSY ATHENS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3317 INFO RUEHXP/ALL NATO POST COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL PRIORITY 0461 RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO PRIORITY 0986 RHMFISS/EUCOM POLAD VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC PRIORITY RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L ATHENS 000272
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT ALSO FOR SCA/A REOTT AND EUR/RPM COPE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/02/2019
TAGS: NATO PREL MOPS MARR AF GR
SUBJECT: GREECE/AFGHANISTAN: VIEWS ON "ENGAGING ALLIES AND
PARTNERS ON AFGHANISTAN"
REF: STATE 15623
Classified By: Political Counselor Robin Quinville for 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ATHENS 000272
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT ALSO FOR SCA/A REOTT AND EUR/RPM COPE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/02/2019
TAGS: NATO PREL MOPS MARR AF GR
SUBJECT: GREECE/AFGHANISTAN: VIEWS ON "ENGAGING ALLIES AND
PARTNERS ON AFGHANISTAN"
REF: STATE 15623
Classified By: Political Counselor Robin Quinville for 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Pol-Mil Chief met March 3 with MFA D2 NATO Department
Deputy Director Theodoros Daskarolis and his staff to review
reftel points on engaging Allies and Partners on Afghanistan.
Daskarolis thanked us for the paper (which had been provided
previously),terming it a "very positive paper." He
particularly welcomed the USG request for input from Allies
as the USG carries out its policy review.
2. (C) Daskarolis emphasized that the GOG is actively
considering ways it can make additional contributions in
Afghanistan. Although no final decisions have yet been
taken, he highlighted the following:
-- Regional Caveat: Daskarolis noted that the current caveat
limiting Greek forces to the Kabul region is under review.
As ISAF prepares to hand over security to Afghan authorities
for the Kabul region, there may be "little reason" for this
caveat. Greek forces deployed in Kabul along with the
Italians. As the Italians look likely to depart Kabul to go
to the west of Afghanistan, the Greek engineering company
deployed with the Italians is likely to redeploy with them.
However, Daskarolis emphasized that this has not yet been
formally decided. We have heard similar points from MOD
sources.
-- OMLTs: Greece is considering providing an additional 12
trainers to ISAF (to supplement the three currently deployed
in the Kabul region) to staff OMLTs. Greece understands that
ISAF has now identified needs for OMLTs in the Kabul region
and will likely limit its trainers to this region.
-- August Election: Greece agrees that NATO must be prepared
to support August elections in Afghanistan. Greece is
considering what further contributions it could make to ISAF
to support this mission, and has tentatively identified two
medical teams to support increased ISAF deployments.
SPECKHARD
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT ALSO FOR SCA/A REOTT AND EUR/RPM COPE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/02/2019
TAGS: NATO PREL MOPS MARR AF GR
SUBJECT: GREECE/AFGHANISTAN: VIEWS ON "ENGAGING ALLIES AND
PARTNERS ON AFGHANISTAN"
REF: STATE 15623
Classified By: Political Counselor Robin Quinville for 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Pol-Mil Chief met March 3 with MFA D2 NATO Department
Deputy Director Theodoros Daskarolis and his staff to review
reftel points on engaging Allies and Partners on Afghanistan.
Daskarolis thanked us for the paper (which had been provided
previously),terming it a "very positive paper." He
particularly welcomed the USG request for input from Allies
as the USG carries out its policy review.
2. (C) Daskarolis emphasized that the GOG is actively
considering ways it can make additional contributions in
Afghanistan. Although no final decisions have yet been
taken, he highlighted the following:
-- Regional Caveat: Daskarolis noted that the current caveat
limiting Greek forces to the Kabul region is under review.
As ISAF prepares to hand over security to Afghan authorities
for the Kabul region, there may be "little reason" for this
caveat. Greek forces deployed in Kabul along with the
Italians. As the Italians look likely to depart Kabul to go
to the west of Afghanistan, the Greek engineering company
deployed with the Italians is likely to redeploy with them.
However, Daskarolis emphasized that this has not yet been
formally decided. We have heard similar points from MOD
sources.
-- OMLTs: Greece is considering providing an additional 12
trainers to ISAF (to supplement the three currently deployed
in the Kabul region) to staff OMLTs. Greece understands that
ISAF has now identified needs for OMLTs in the Kabul region
and will likely limit its trainers to this region.
-- August Election: Greece agrees that NATO must be prepared
to support August elections in Afghanistan. Greece is
considering what further contributions it could make to ISAF
to support this mission, and has tentatively identified two
medical teams to support increased ISAF deployments.
SPECKHARD