Wikileaks - DCCCXI
116718 7/26/2007 12:25 07ATHENS1498 Embassy Athens UNCLASSIFIED 07ATHENS1487 VZCZCXRO3065 OO RUEHIK RUEHPOD RUEHYG DE RUEHTH #1498 2071225 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 261225Z JUL 07 FM AMEMBASSY ATHENS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9783 INFO RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUEHBM/AMEMBASSY BUCHAREST IMMEDIATE 0953 RUEHKV/AMEMBASSY KYIV IMMEDIATE 0022 RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW IMMEDIATE 0890 RUEHSQ/AMEMBASSY SKOPJE IMMEDIATE 1051 RUEHTI/AMEMBASSY TIRANA IMMEDIATE 1244 RUEHIK/AMCONSUL THESSALONIKI IMMEDIATE 1424 RHMFIUU/SECNAV WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEKJCS/OSD WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RHMFIUU/NAVSUPPACT NAPLES IT IMMEDIATE RHMFIUU/NAVSUPPACT SOUDA BAY GR IMMEDIATE RUEHRC/DEPT OF AGRICULTURE WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RHMFISS/CDR USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE IMMEDIATE UNCLAS ATHENS 001498
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT OF AGRICULTURE FOR NATIONAL INTERAGENCY FIRE CENTER
E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MOPS, PREL, PGOV, GR SUBJECT: GREECE NEEDS AIRCRAFT TO FIGHT FIRES
REF: ATHENS 1487
1. (U) In a meeting with Army Attach, Secretary General for Civil Protection of the Greek Ministry of the Interior Panagiotis Fourlas expressed appreciation to the U.S. for its consideration of Greece's urgent request for assistance in fighting forest fires (reftel) and clarified that Greece's specific need was for firefighting aircraft. No other assistance was needed at this time.
2. (U) Fourlas said fixed-wing aircraft would be welcomed, but the primary need was for helicopters. He asked, what type of aircraft with what capabilities could the U.S. offer? When could they be available? And on what terms (i.e., USG-provided? Civilian-contracted? Greek-funded?).
3. (U) In our July 25 conversation with the Chief of Staff to the Foreign Minister, we also suggested they reach out to the Ukrainians, who we believe may have expertise and aircraft for fighting fires. The Greeks welcomed the suggestion and apparently are in potentially fruitful discussions with the Ukrainians. COUNTRYMAN
