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DE RUEHTH #2015 2821204
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P 091204Z OCT 07
FM AMEMBASSY ATHENS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0470
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY

UNCLAS ATHENS 002015 
 
SIPDIS 
 
AIDAC 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE ALSO FOR OES/ENV 
 
E.O. 12858: N/A 
TAGS: SENV EAGR SOCI TBIO EIND GR
SUBJECT: The Brockovich Report Takes on Greece 
 
¶1. Summary.  On September 21, Post began receiving 
thousands of messages from U.S. citizens requesting Post 
raise with the GoG the issue of industrial waste in the 
Asopos River, located 40km north of Athens.  Econ 
identified an article on Erin BrockovichQs website from 
August 25 that highlighted the problem, 
(www.brockovichblog.com/2007/08/pollution) and claimed 
that the Mayor of Oinofyta had requested her help to 
address the issue internationally.  Similar reports 
appeared in the local media soon thereafter, culminating 
in Minister of Environment, Town Planning and Public 
Works (PEXODE) George SoufliasQs public address on 
Sept 27th in which he said that the GoG would address 
Asopos clean up and  regulation, and public health issues. 
Post will investigate and further report on the issue, as we 
expect a high-profile visit by Ms. Brockovich, and as the 
number of internet inquiries is over three thousand.  End 
Summary. 
 
¶2.  Press reports and casual conversation with people on 
the street reveals wide ranging theories behind the Asopos 
River pollution, but the common thread is that of decades 
of use, either official or unofficial, as an industrial 
dumping ground.  Since the late 1960s, upwards of 300 
companies and industries set up in the region.  While all 
were required to obtain permits and licenses, these were 
obtained at the local level and the credibility of the 
approval process has been subject of such public concern 
that Minister Souflias recently ordered that all permits be 
QreconsideredQ by local authorities. 
 
¶3.  Econ Off met with Secretary General Evangelos Baltas of 
the Ministry of Environment on October 1 to discuss the 
recent findings.  In response to local activism and reports 
of significant increases in rates of disease and other 
medical issues, the GoG recently conducted tests on 
groundwater beneath the Asopos River.  On August 10th, the 
first results came back indicating the presence of 
hexavalent chromium.  Baltas stated that, to date, the 
Ministry has conducted seven additional water tests and 
twenty four inspections of local industries, identifying 
those industries whose activities relate to chromium. 
Baltas stated that as of September 27, intensive work to 
clean the area has been under way as well as efforts to 
stop further dumping and to punish those who have broken 
the law.  According to Baltas, at least seven inspectors 
will remain on location, day and night, until the 
investigation is complete. 
 
--------------------------- 
Chromium and the Local Area 
--------------------------- 
 
¶4.  Activist and recent media reports indicate the 
potential existence of nickel, cadmium, and arsenic in the 
liquid waste dumped into the river, however the Ministry 
has focused on Chromium, and specifically Hexavalent 
Chromium.  (Note: Hexavalent chromium is the same substance 
highlighted in the film QErin Brockovich.Q  According to 
the national environment authority of Australia  - 
http://www.npi.gv.au/database/substance- 
info/profiles/24.html - it has a high chronic toxicity to 
aquatic life, however no data is available on either the 
short-term or long-term effects of chromium to plants, 
birds, or land animals.  End note.)  Baltas explained that 
while he is unaware of any in-depth study on the effects of 
this pollution on the ecology in the area, he did not 
believe that the river was the primary source of local 
drinking water.  He emphasized however, that while his 
Ministry is responsible for investigating the pollution, 
the Ministry of Health is responsible for the quality of 
drinking water. 
 
¶5.  Comment.  Post plans a more detailed review on this 
issue following meeting with local officials and residents 
in the coming week, and is working on a draft response to 
the emails.  The general stance from the GoG is that it was 
not aware of the problem until early August, when the first 
traces of chromium were identified.  Multiple ministries 
are already involved, including Environment, Health, 
Agriculture, and Development, although to what degree is 
unclear.  We will follow up with Ministries as appropriate. 
End Comment. 
 
COUNTRYMAN