VZCZCXRO5019
OO RUEHDBU
DE RUEHTH #0216/01 0321404
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 011404Z FEB 07
FM AMEMBASSY ATHENS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8001
INFO RUCNAFG/AFGHANISTAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ATHENS 000216 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/30/2017 
TAGS: NATO PINS PREL MARR MOPS GR
SUBJECT: FOLLOW-UP ON GREEK AFGHANISTAN CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
REF: A. SECSTATE 4834 
     ¶B. SECSTATE 7434 
     ¶C. ATHENS 97 
     ¶D. ATHENS 111 
     ¶E. ATHENS 148 
 
Classified By: AMBASSADOR CHARLES RIES.  REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D). 
 
¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Greek FM Bakoyannis' intervention at the 
January 26 informal NATO Ministerial on Afghanistan included 
announcement of welcome new GoG monetary contributions to 
counter-narcotics and the Hungarian-led PRT in northern 
Afghanistan, as well as M-60 tanks for the ANA.  Bakoyannis 
made no mention, however, of personnel for the Hungarian PRT 
nor of altering caveats that keep Greek engineers and medics 
in Kabul.  GoG sources subsequently told us that, in addition 
to its financial contribution, Greece would provide only one 
or two agricultural experts to the PRT.  While welcoming the 
GOG contribution, Embassy will continue to push the GoG to 
lift caveats and contribute personnel in addition to money 
and equipment.  We will also work with the Hungarian Embassy 
to ensure that the GOG contribution to their PRT targets key 
needs.  END SUMMARY. 
 
THE FIGURES 
----------- 
 
¶2. (SBU) At the January 26 Ministerial, FM Bakoyannis 
announced the following new Greek contributions for 
Afghanistan: 
 
-- Six-month extension of the Greek MASH unit (50 physicians, 
medics, and support personnel) in Kabul; 
-- 300K-euro donation to the special UN fund for 
counter-narcotics; 
-- 500K euros divided between four reconstruction and support 
programs led by the Hungarians, including health, education, 
agriculture, and water; and 
-- Company (10 to 13) M-60 tanks for the Afghan National Army. 
 
¶3.  (C)  In Greece, MFA spokesman Koumoutsakos announced the 
contributions in response to a journalist's question; the 
information was later posted on the MFA website.  It received 
little attention in domestic media. 
 
CONTRIBUTIONS WELCOME, BUT... 
----------------------------- 
 
¶4. (C) The announcement more or less tracked with the 
previews we had gotten from various GoG sources prior to the 
Ministerial.  We had been told in no uncertain terms not to 
expect the lifting of caveats or troop plus-ups, but we had 
understood (including from the Hungarian Ambassador) that the 
Greek financial contribution to the Hungarian PRT would be 
accompanied by commitment of personnel.  MFA D2 NATO 
Directorate deputy chief Daskarolis commented to us following 
the Ministerial that there would be no Greek contribution of 
personnel at present, but one or two agricultural experts 
might be possible "in a couple of months."  General Staff 
Defense Policy Director Brigadier General Tsigaras told DATT 
the search for the agronomists was already underway. 
 
¶5. (C) Hungarian Embassy DCM Andras Deak confirmed Greece's 
announcement of the 500K for the reconstruction projects and 
the possibility of one or two Greek experts in the future. 
He noted, however, some confusion on the Greek side regarding 
where their money would be sent.  The Hungarians preferred 
the Greeks provide the donation to the PRT, which would 
divide the money amongst its various health, education, 
agricultural, and water projects.  Deak said he had 
information indicating that the Greek Embassy in Islamabad 
preferred this route as well.  The MFA in Athens, however, 
had recently told the Hungarians it wished to contribute the 
money directly to the Afghanis -- a prospect Deak had 
difficulty understanding given that the Greeks would have no 
one on the ground to oversee how the money was used. 
 
¶6. (C) The tank donation is also an area of question.  The 
Greeks have a large number of well-maintained, if out-dated, 
M-60 tanks, which they intend to replace in the coming years. 
 The announced donation of a company (10-13) of M-60s for 
Afghanistan comes from this stock, but given the large 
numbers the Greeks have, they could probably do more.  Their 
very generous donation of 100 former East German armored 
personnel carriers and over four million rounds of ammunition 
to the Iraqi army since 2005 suggests that the 10-13 M-60s 
for Afghanistan may be only the first step.  (NOTE:  Embassy 
would welcome input from USNATO and Department regarding 
Afghan needs and absorption capabilities for heavy armor. 
END NOTE.) 
 
 
ATHENS 00000216  002 OF 002 
 
 
COMMENT: NEXT STEPS 
------------------- 
 
¶7. (C) We welcome the GOG's decision to bring additional 
contributions to the NATO table, particularly given the Greek 
public's skepticism.  The details we have received 
post-Ministerial, however, confirm that the GOG remains 
reluctant to lift caveats or send new personnel (military or 
civilian).  Nevertheless, sending even one or two agronomists 
in the near term cracks open the door.  We will work with the 
Hungarians locally both to determine their further PRT needs 
and to encourage additional GOG commitment of personnel as 
needed.  We also plan to encourage the Greeks to consider 
offering personnel for other civilian reconstruction 
projects.  For example, given Greek experience in antiquities 
preservation, the Bamiyan Buddha restoration might be a 
project in which they could have particular expertise to 
share. 
RIES