A Wikileaks leak revealed comments by former Minister for Citizen Protection Michalis Chrysochoidis. He spoke disparagingly about Greece’s National Intelligence Service (EYP) to American ambassador Daniel Speckhard.
Three telegrams composed by the former American ambassador to Athens have been published by the British daily Guardian without an accompanied text. The telegrams are dated January 22, 2010 and are published under the title “U.S. Embassy Cables: Greece Addresses Counter-Terrorism Shortcommings“.
In one of the telegrams sent to Washington and several other U.S. embassies from Ankara to Podgorica and from Alma Ata to Helsinki, Daniel Speckhard reported about his meeting with Chrysochoidis that took place at the Minister’s office. Speckhard wrote on Minister’s disgrading view on the National Intelligence Service (EYP):
“Chrysochoidis severely criticized the state of EYP, Greece’s domestic security and intelligence service. He said bluntly, “EYP is nothing.” It does not serve its mission of protecting Greece and in fact is dangerous to national security because of its many shortcomings, not the least of which is a unionize d labor force. As a result, Chrysochoidis declared, he intends to “collapse and rebuild it” via a draft law that is in the process of being drawn up.”
Chrysochoidis, who had taken office four months before his meeting with Speckhard, complained about the state of Greek Police forces (HNP) as well:
“As for the HNP, he repeated his many public comments that Greece’s police force is not up to task of safeguarding society.”
On domestic terrosism Michalis Chrysochoidis told Speckhard what security forces have been leaking to Greek media after an anarchist or terrorist attack; that they know the identities of culprits but they lack the evidence to prosecute them.
Chrisochoides’ answer to Speckhard’s references
The content of the leaks through Wikileaks, which were about talks with the former U.S. ambassador in Athens, Daniel Speckhard, were confirmed by Michalis Chrisochoides. Talking to Skai radio station, he stressed that the leaked information about the National Intelligence Service was not only known to him, but also other responsible prosecuting bodies were informed, as well as the Inspector of Public Administration who was conducting the investigation. He said that he was forced de facto to talk about such things with several factors.
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