[JACK AYLMER]
ATHENS IS FACING AN UNPRECEDENTED REQUEST FROM FRANCE AS PREPARATIONS FOR THE OLYMPICS UNFOLD.
FRENCH AUTHORITIES HAVE REPORTEDLY ASKED TO BORROW A GREEK AIR DEFENSE SYSTEM FOR THE OLYMPIC GAMES.
THE FRENCH ASKED FOR THE TRANSFER OF A CROTALE SHORT-RANGE SURFACE-TO-AIR MISSILE SYSTEM FROM THE GREEK AIR FORCE, ACCORDING TO GREEK NEWS OUTLETS.
THE TALKS BEGAN IN NOVEMBER BUT HAVEN’T PROGRESSED SINCE.
FRANCE ARGUES IT WANTS TO PROVIDE ANTI-AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS TO UKRAINE BUT NEEDS ALLIED HELP TO ENSURE THE AIR DEFENSE OF CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE DURING THE PARIS GAMES.
ATHENS HAS NOT OFFICIALLY RESPONDED.
A GREEK GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON DID SAY ANY ASSISTANCE GRANTED WOULD NOT HURT THE COUNTRY’S DEFENSE CAPABILITIES AND WOULD BE LIMITED TO ONLY THE GAMES.
THIS MARKS THE FIRST TIME FRANCE HAS REQUESTED AIR DEFENSE FOR THE OLYMPICS.
THE REQUEST IS NOT DIRECTLY LINKED TO UKRAINE BUT IS VIEWED AS AN INDIRECT CALL TO ATHENS TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE EUROPEAN EFFORT TO ASSIST KYIV.
AND THE U-S WAS EXPECTED TO PUSH ATHENS TO PROVIDE AID TO UKRAINE DURING A TELECONFERENCE FRIDAY.
DESPITE INTERNATIONAL PRESSURE, GREEK OFFICIALS REMAIN RESOLUTE IN NOT COMMITTING WEAPONS TO UKRAINE.
ATHENS HAS MAINTAINED THE IMPORTANCE OF PROTECTING GREECE FROM NATIONAL SECURITY THREATS, FIRST AND FOREMOST.
