VZCZCXRO8651
PP RUEHAST
DE RUEHTH #1524 1651134
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 141134Z JUN 06
FM AMEMBASSY ATHENS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5790
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS ATHENS 001524 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR EUR/SE. G/TIP FOR DONNELLY, INL/HSTC, EUR/PPD, EUR/PGI, 
G, DRL, IWI 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KCRM KWMN PGOV PHUM PREL SMIG KPAO GR TIP
SUBJECT: GREECE: GOG AND MEDIA CALL 2006 TIP REPORT 
"ENCOURAGING" 
 
REF: A. STATE 85560 
     ¶B. SECSTATE 89306 
 
¶1.  SUMMARY:  The Greek government and press responded 
positively to the release of the 2006 TIP report, calling 
Greece's advancement to Tier 2 from Tier 2 Watch List (T2WL) 
"encouraging."  News articles relied on post's press release, 
press conference, and the report narrative for 
straightforward, factual reporting.  Deputy Foreign Minister 
Stylianidis issued a balanced statement that described 
Greece's successes during the past year and cited areas which 
still need to be addressed.  Working level interlocutors we 
have met with since the announcement are pleased that Greece 
is seen as our "partner" in the TIP fight, rather than as a 
country "under supervision."  END SUMMARY. 
 
GOG OFFICIALS CALL TIP REPORT "ENCOURAGING" 
------------------------------------------- 
¶2.  Ambassador delivered Greece's 2006 TIP report narrative 
to Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis on June 5 as instructed 
in Ref B.  Bakoyannis was pleased that Greece was elevated to 
Tier 2 from T2WL.  On June 6, Deputy Foreign Minister 
Evripidis Stylianidis issued a statement which borrowed both 
the praise and areas for improvement from the report 
narrative.  Stylianidis stated that "while all the problems 
have not been handled fully, e.g. arrest and conviction of 
traffickers,... the dynamic efforts of the MFA have been 
recognized."  According to the Deputy FM, the acknowledgment 
of the GoG's work to combat TIP encourages Greece to continue 
its efforts to "defend the values of civilization and 
democracy against this unacceptable phenomenon of modern 
slavery." 
 
¶3. After the Secretary released the report on June 5 (8:30 PM 
local time), post sent out a press release and the text of 
the report to the press and to TIP contacts in the GoG, 
non-governmental organizations, and IOM.  Poloff followed up 
with a press conference June 6 for local press contacts 
covering the text of the report and the broader TIP situation 
in Greece. 
 
MEDIA REACTION 
-------------- 
¶4.  In the days following the report's release and our press 
conference, local press published nine straightforward 
articles, relying heavily on the report narrative and post's 
press release.  Most articles were positive and focused on 
the improved ranking, but noted the areas (convictions of 
traffickers, law enforcement complicity) where continued 
focus is warranted.  The daily "Angelioforos" called the 
report a "Yellow Card" for Greece, and "Eleftherotypia" 
(leading left-of-center, 61,000 daily circ.) highlighted 
possible involvement of Greek diplomats in aiding traffickers 
obtain visas for victims.  "Ta Nea" (leading center-left, 
70,000 daily circ.) noted with satisfaction that FM 
Bakoyannis was the first to receive the news that Greece 
advanced to a higher tier ranking.  One article in 
"Ependitis" (pro-opposition, 150,000 weekly circ.), citing 
"protected" sources, leaked the new tier ranking Saturday, 
June 3, and attributed the elevated tier ranking to the work 
of Greek Ambassador to the U.S., Alexandros Mallias.  No 
other news agencies picked up this early report.  Small 
circulation daily pro-government "Adesmeftos Typos"  had a 
one-on-one interview on the report with Poloff June 9 and 
plans to run an article the weekend of June 17-18. 
 
¶5.  Reflecting on Greece's humiliation last year at being 
placed in T2WL, some articles included tongue-in-cheek 
statements.  Eleftherotypia's Washington correspondent wrote, 
"Greece has managed to reach the level of the other countries 
in its neighborhood, such as Albania, Bulgaria, Romania, 
Turkey and Eastern Europe" (Note: Greece funds anti-TIP 
programs in many of these countries).  "Ependitis" said "the 
result (of Greece's efforts on TIP) was to move out of the 
category where it had been in the company of...Nigeria and 
Zimbabwe." 
 
¶6.  COMMENT:  Press reports and the GoG reaction this year to 
the TIP report were responsible and factual, reflecting Greek 
appreciation for its efforts to combat TIP.  Our discussions 
with working level contacts in the week since the report's 
release have been productive and positive -- our 
interlocutors welcome being seen as partners in this global 
effort.  The report has re-energized the GoG in its TIP 
efforts.  We will continue to encourage sustained efforts, 
especially on convictions, increased victim protection, and 
cooperation between the GoG and NGOs. 
COUNTRYMAN