VZCZCXRO2463
OO RUEHIK
DE RUEHTH #1652/01 3450607
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 100607Z DEC 08
FM AMEMBASSY ATHENS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2897
INFO RUEHIK/AMCONSUL THESSALONIKI 1991
RUEHBW/AMEMBASSY BELGRADE 0032
RUEHSQ/AMEMBASSY SKOPJE 1199

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ATHENS 001652 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OREP PGOV PREL ASEC GR
SUBJECT: EMBASSY ATHENS WELCOMES CODEL POE 
 
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - PROTECT ACCORDINGLY 
 
¶1. (SBU) Embassy Athens warmly welcomes the December 15-16 visit of 
CODEL Poe to Athens.  Control Officer for the visit to Athens will 
be Political Officer Elaine Paplos, 30-210-720-2756 (Office), 
30-694-439-0185 (cell), 30-210-729-5313.  The Control Officer will 
meet you at the Athens Airport accompany you throughout your stay in 
Athens. 
 
¶2. (SBU) On December 8, 2008 the United States Embassy alerted U.S. 
citizens to the continuing possibility of civil disturbances and 
demonstrations throughout Greece in the wake of the violent 
demonstrations that occurred on the weekend of December 6th and 7th. 
 A national day of mourning is planned for Tuesday December 9th.  A 
general strike, to include the transportation sector, is planned for 
Wednesday December 10th. 
 
Demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and 
possibly escalate into violence.  American citizens are therefore 
urged to avoid the areas of demonstrations, and to exercise caution 
if within the vicinity of any demonstration.  American citizens 
should stay current with media coverage of local events and be aware 
of their surroundings at all times. 
 
¶3. (SBU) Over the past year, the U.S. Embassy has experienced bomb 
threats, protest marches, and anti-U.S. demonstrations.  These 
protests are generally peaceful though a few provoked random acts of 
violence.  Travelers to Greece are advised that protests or 
demonstrations could occur at any time; unwitting observers or 
bystanders might be identified, to their disadvantage, as Americans. 
 
 
RSO recommends that official U.S. travelers in Greece remain alert 
when moving about in public places and avoid certain places where 
demonstrators frequently congregate.  These places include the 
Polytechnical University area, located on 28 October (Patission) 
Street between the National Archeological Museum and Omonia Square; 
Exarchion Square, located near Kolonaki; Omonia and Syntagma 
Squares, which are often used as launch sites for large 
demonstrations; and Mavili Square, located near the U.S. Embassy. 
Visitors should keep abreast of news about large demonstrations and 
avoid these areas and metro stops 
 
 
¶4. (SBU) Embassy Athens has a "high" designation for indigenous 
terrorism.  In the past, local Greek terrorist groups have targeted 
prominent Greeks as well as certain non-Greek Officials, including 
Americans.  We believe that the threat to official US Government 
personnel on short-term assignments to Greece or visiting for 
tourism is relatively low.  The indigenous groups historically have 
engaged in extensive operational surveillance over long periods of 
time.  In 2003 and again in 2004, the Greek Government made 
significant progress to combat domestic terrorism by successfully 
convicting the leader and key hit men of the November 17 terrorist 
organization and of the ELA.  17N was responsible for assassinating 
prominent Greeks and five members of the US Mission over the course 
of its 30-year history.  Convicted ELA members were responsible for 
several bombings, attempted murders and were involved in at least 
one assassination.  While these convictions likely impacted on the 
operational capabilities of 17N and ELA, it is too soon to assess 
whether the threat from 17N and ELA was completely eliminated.  New 
domestic terror groups with similar ideologies to 17N have launched 
attacks against both local government agencies including police 
stations and businesses. The domestic terrorist group Revolutionary 
Struggle (RS) launched a Rocket Propelled Grenade at the US Embassy 
on January 7, 2007.  Greek Police have not made any arrests.  We 
urge vigilance and caution, as the worldwide threat from other 
terrorist groups against Americans in general remains high. 
 
¶5.  (SBU) Crime is rated "medium" in Greece.  For TDY visitors, pick 
pocketing and purse snatching are the most common crimes.  Taxis are 
generally safe though metered cabs are recommended.  Taxis too will 
often pick up more than one passenger unless prior arrangements are 
made.  Crimes of opportunity - thefts, break-ins, and occasional 
scams - are on the rise.  Travelers should be especially cautious 
with wallets, purses, and parcels when traveling on crowded streets, 
public buses, trolleys, and/or subways.  There have been several 
instances of motorcyclists approaching cars stuck in traffic, 
reaching through open windows or smashing closed ones, and stealing 
whatever is within reach.  We have also recently learned of a new 
method in which motorcyclists open the trunk of a vehicle and remove 
the contents.  Security recommends keeping purses, parcels, 
handbags, etc. out of sight under the seat or on the floor of the 
car.  Windows should be kept closed and doors locked.  Pedestrians 
may also be confronted by beggars and other street people who may 
attempt to divert attention, then steal unprotected valuables - 
either by pick pocketing or snatch-and-grab techniques.  Women are 
generally safe from violent crime in Greece.  Men are aggressive by 
American standards however when pursuing women. 
 
ATHENS 00001652  002 OF 002 
 
 
 
¶6. (SBU) Traffic in Greek urban areas, especially Athens and 
Thessaloniki, is undisciplined.  Greece has a poor record within the 
European Union for traffic fatalities. 
 
 
 
SPECKHARD