GREECE: Response to Afghanistan-Pakistan Stragegic Review

C O N F I D E N T I A L ATHENS 000435 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 2019/04/01 TAGS: PREL PGOV AF NATO SUBJECT: GREECE: Response to Afghanistan-Pakistan Stragegic Review REF: STATE 28929 STATE 29482 ATHENS 417 CLASSIFIED BY: Robin Quinville, Political Counselor, STATE, POL; REASON: 1.4(B),(D) ¶1. (C) POLCouns delivered ref a points to the Greek MFA's NATO on March 26 and to the MFA's Asian Affairs Department on March 27. MFA Counsellor Caterina Dimakis noted that, as the Hague conference was not a pledging conference - FM Bakoyiannis did not plan to make specific proposals for additional Greek contributions. POLCouns delivered ref B paper to FM Bakoyiannis' deputy chef de cabinet on March 30; he confirmed that the minister would offer political support for a cooperative, comprehensive approach and - as OSCE Chairman in Office - would also focus on the importance of free and fair elections. In POLCouns' March 31 discussion of refs a and b with MFA Secretary General Agathocles, Agathocles noted that the MFA was considering appointing a coordinator to work with other ministries on Afghanistan contributions. For example, Agathocles had sought a small number of police from the Ministry of Interior for service in Afghanistan. The MOI insisted that any police be drawn from the MFA's already-small force dedicated to protecting Greek missions abroad; Agathaocles planned to identify which missions could spare security personnel. Agathocles had also identified at least one expert with language ability, and was working with the Ministry of Defense to make him available for possible Afghanistan-related tasks. A coordinator could pursue this interagency process more effectively. ¶2. (C) As noted ref c, in the DCM's meeting with Director of Hellenic Aid Karafotias on March 31, Karafotias said that Afghanistan was also a top priority for Foreign Minister Bakoyiannis and assistance funding for Afghanistan was secure. Currently, Greece foresaw focusing its civilian assistance on anti-trafficking, support for women, and preservation of historical records. (See ref c for additional details.) ¶3. (C) COMMENT: While generally supportive of the strategy, none of our contacts were prepared to offer specifics on deliverables - either at The Hague or at the upcoming NATO and EU Summits. Their interagency deliberations continue. Greece's ND government (with its narrow parliamentary majority) remains concerned about security. In the coming days, we will continue pressing the GOG, encouraging flexibility and creative thinking on ways the GOG can contribute. SPECKHARD