VZCZCXRO5304
OO RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHDIR RUEHKUK
DE RUEHTH #1437 2881410
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
O 141410Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY ATHENS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2633
INFO RUCNIRA/IRAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHXD/MOSCOW POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
S E C R E T ATHENS 001437
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR ISN, T, NEA/IR
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/14/2018
TAGS: MNUC PARM KNNP IR GR PREL
SUBJECT: GREECE/IRAN: GOG IMPLEMENTING 1835 AND IRISL
MEASURES
REF: A. SECSTATE 105173
B. SECSTATE 104496
C. ATHENS 1347
Classified By: A/POLCOUNS JEFFREY HOVENIER. REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).
1. (S) DepPolCouns and visiting EUR/SE Desk Officer Goodman
discussed ref A and B demarches on UNSC 1835 and the
designation of the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines
(IRISL) with MFA A6 Directorate for Middle East Issues deputy
head Giorgos Ayfantis. Ayfantis stated categorically that
Greece would take steps to implement UNSC 1835, but he
provided no details on the specific measures. DepEconCouns
also delivered the demarches to Panagoitis Kyriakopoulos,
Director for Bank Supervision, Bank of Greece.
2. (S) As reported in ref C, FM Bakoyannis agreed to an
advisory being issued on IRISL, and Deputy Minister for
Mercantile Marine Kammenos told us that his Ministry had
issued the advisory. Subsequent to ref C, Kammenos provided
us a copy of the advisory (in Greek).
3. (S) COMMENT: While the GOG agreed to issue the IRISL
advisory and to implement the 1835 measures, it is clear that
the GOG remains wary of getting cross-wise with Greek
shipowners, who do much business with Iran. As Ayfantis
explained to us once again, the shippers are savvy and
cynical, with little regard for GOG warnings. Given the
tremendous political influence the shipowners wield in
Greece, the GOG will tread lightly. GOG officials find it
easier, however, to take action against targeted individuals
or companies when we provide them specific information.
SPECKHARD