US embassy cable - 05ATHENS603

UNCLAS ATHENS 000603 
 
SIPDIS 
 
MARAD FOR ACTING MARITIME ADMINISTRATOR JOHN JAMIAN FROM 
AMBASSADOR RIES 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EWWT, GR, PREL 
SUBJECT: GOVERNMENT OF GREECE REQUESTS DONATION OF EC2 TYPE 
LIBERTY SHIP FOR MUSEUM 
 
1.  (U) I am writing to ask your help. 
 
2.  (U) I recently met with the Greek Minister of Merchant 
Marine Emmanuel Kefaloyiannis, who has been of great 
assistance to us in the war on terrorism.  Under his 
leadership, the Hellenic Coast Guard (HCG) did a superb job 
in protecting our athletes and VIPs during the Olympics and 
the HCG has continued to provide exemplary cooperation on 
port security and non-proliferation in the months since. 
 
3.  (U) The Minister requested my assistance in securing the 
donation of a WWII-era EC2 type Liberty Ship to become a 
floating museum in the port of Piraeus, near Athens, Greece. 
There is strong sentimental attachment to Liberty ships in 
Greece as Liberty ships sold by the USG at the end of the 
Second World War formed the basis of what became the modern 
Greek merchant marine fleet.  The late Greek shipping magnate 
Aristotle Onassis is perhaps the most famous purchaser, 
buying sixteen to revitalize his shipping fleet. 
 
4.  (U)  I understand that there is still an EC2 type Liberty 
Ship, the Arthur M. Huddell, in the National Readiness 
Reserve Fleet in the James River.  I would like to ask for 
your help in securing a donation of this or another Liberty 
ship for the Government of Greece. With a Greek government 
imprimatur, and with the support of wealthy Greek shipowners, 
we believe that the Greek side would have no problem in 
quickly raising the necessary funds to prepare the Arthur M. 
Huddell for safe transport across the Atlantic and for its 
restoration. 
 
5.  (U) The donation of this vessel would provide valuable 
political goodwill and public diplomacy opportunities for the 
USG.  A Liberty ship museum in Piraeus would prominently, and 
permanently, highlight the positive aspects of the U.S.-Greek 
relationship, and document the U.S. role in helping Greece to 
its pre-eminent position in the merchant shipping world 
today.  Let me know what we need to do to make this happen. 
Sincerely, Charlie Ries. 
RIES