Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ATHENS417
2009-03-31 11:47:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Athens
Cable title:
Hellenic Aid Director on Greek Assistance to Afghanistan
how-toVZCZCXYZ0016 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHTH #0417 0901145 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O R 311147Z MAR 09 FM AMEMBASSY ATHENS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0006 INFO RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS 0001 RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL 0001 RUEHOT/AMEMBASSY OTTAWA 0001 RUEHTH/AMEMBASSY ATHENS RUEHUP/AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST 0001
C O N F I D E N T I A L ATHENS 000417
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2019/03/31
TAGS: EAID AF
SUBJECT: Hellenic Aid Director on Greek Assistance to Afghanistan
REF: 09 STATE 30044
CLASSIFIED BY: Woodward Clark Price, Economic Counselor; REASON:
1.4(E)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ATHENS 000417
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2019/03/31
TAGS: EAID AF
SUBJECT: Hellenic Aid Director on Greek Assistance to Afghanistan
REF: 09 STATE 30044
CLASSIFIED BY: Woodward Clark Price, Economic Counselor; REASON:
1.4(E)
1. (C) Deputy Chief of Mission met March 31 with Hellenic Aid
Director Mercurios Karafotias to discuss the USG's new Afghanistan
strategy, among other subjects. As she passed Karafotias the USG's
White Paper on Afghanistan and Pakistan, she noted the push for
stability in this region is of central importance to the USG, as
witnessed by the appointment of Special Envoy Richard Holbrooke to
manage the issue.
2. (C) Karafotias replied that Afghanistan is also a top
priority for Foreign Minister Bakoyiannis. Whereas in many areas,
Hellenic Aid has a problem nailing down resources, he noted that,
for Afghanistan, "the money is secure." He said that the GOG
agrees with the USG on the importance of bolstering civil society
in Afghanistan and will provide assistance in three areas: 1.
Fighting trafficking in persons, 2. Supporting women, and 3.
Helping preserve records and knowledge of Afghan history to make
certain the Taliban does not co-opt that history.
3. (C) Karafotias stressed that Greece is seeking to work
cooperatively In Afghanistan. It is now working with Hungary on a
joint program in the Baghlan Province and is in discussions with
Canada to work on the Afghan-Pakistan border.
4. (C) Karafotias urged the USG to advance the effort to
establish an international coordination mechanism for civilian
assistance to Afghanistan.
SPECKHARD
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2019/03/31
TAGS: EAID AF
SUBJECT: Hellenic Aid Director on Greek Assistance to Afghanistan
REF: 09 STATE 30044
CLASSIFIED BY: Woodward Clark Price, Economic Counselor; REASON:
1.4(E)
1. (C) Deputy Chief of Mission met March 31 with Hellenic Aid
Director Mercurios Karafotias to discuss the USG's new Afghanistan
strategy, among other subjects. As she passed Karafotias the USG's
White Paper on Afghanistan and Pakistan, she noted the push for
stability in this region is of central importance to the USG, as
witnessed by the appointment of Special Envoy Richard Holbrooke to
manage the issue.
2. (C) Karafotias replied that Afghanistan is also a top
priority for Foreign Minister Bakoyiannis. Whereas in many areas,
Hellenic Aid has a problem nailing down resources, he noted that,
for Afghanistan, "the money is secure." He said that the GOG
agrees with the USG on the importance of bolstering civil society
in Afghanistan and will provide assistance in three areas: 1.
Fighting trafficking in persons, 2. Supporting women, and 3.
Helping preserve records and knowledge of Afghan history to make
certain the Taliban does not co-opt that history.
3. (C) Karafotias stressed that Greece is seeking to work
cooperatively In Afghanistan. It is now working with Hungary on a
joint program in the Baghlan Province and is in discussions with
Canada to work on the Afghan-Pakistan border.
4. (C) Karafotias urged the USG to advance the effort to
establish an international coordination mechanism for civilian
assistance to Afghanistan.
SPECKHARD