VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHNC #1170/01 2001001
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
O 191001Z JUL 06
FM AMEMBASSY NICOSIA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6474
INFO RUEHLB/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT PRIORITY 4147

S E C R E T NICOSIA 001170 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR CMS TASKFORCEN1 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/20/2016 
TAGS: AEMR ASEC KPAO CMGT LE CY KFLO CASC AMGT
SUBJECT: TFLE01: CYPRUS SITREP 03 AS OF 1300 LOCAL, 
WEDNESDAY, JULY 19, 2006 
 
REF: A. NICOSIA 1166 
     ¶B. NICOSIA 1167 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Ronald L. Schlicher, reasons 1.4 B/D 
 
¶1. (S) Summary:  The total number of U.S. citizens received 
by Embassy Nicosia stands at 346.  We are expecting a 
significant increase in that number as more ships begin to 
arrive late July 19/early July 20. 
 
POL/MIL 
 
¶2. (S)  The following are pol/mil updates: 
 
--As of 1230L, the MV Orient Queen has not yet departed 
Beirut but will probably arrive in Larnaca port early July 
¶20. 
--The Beirut Air Bridge (BAB) began using Larnaca today, July 
19, for passengers from Beirut to Larnaca airport.  160 
people are scheduled to arrive today, with the first arrival 
scheduled at 1100L.  Departures will still take off from 
Akrotiri; any packages or personnel needing to go to Beirut 
should depart through Akrotiri (helicopters ferried 6 
Canadian diplomats this morning). 
 
--The Sandcak/S will depart Beirut July 20 at approximately 
1200 and transport 700-800 U.S. citizens to Larnaca port. 
 
--USS Nashville is in Limassol port today for refueling and 
will support operations.  It is scheduled to begin transport 
of up to 1200 passengers by July 20. 
 
--DAO is going to Paphos today to check out the airport and 
other logistical arrangements. 
 
CONSULAR 
 
¶3.  (S)  The following are consular updates: 
 
--Total headcount of U.S. citizens arrived in Cyprus is at 
346 (includes 11 who arrived via helicopter July 16, 62 who 
arrived via ship and helicopter on July 17, 37 who arrived 
via ship on July 18, 94 who arrived via helicopter on July 
18, 4 who arrived on a Greek military ship on July 19, and 
138 who arrived on the Hoegh transporter on July 19). 
 
--Total headcount of U.S. citizens who have departed Cyprus 
is unknown; however, on July 18 Embassy assisted at least 30 
U.S. citizens' departure to Brussels after arriving by ship. 
 
--Today, July 19, Embassy Nicosia sent two CONS officers via 
helicopter to assist Embassy Beirut CONS operations.  These 
officers will return tonight via ship, if possible, but 
Embassy plans to continue to send officers to Beirut.  TDYers 
are scheduled to arrive soon, but for the time being CONS 
staffing is thin.  We are rallying LES and EFM assistance at 
the port. 
 
--Hoegh Norwegian transport arrived at 0330 July 19 with 133 
U.S. citizens aborad.  CONS staff established an effective 
system of greeting people, with very helpful assistance from 
the U.S. marines.  Embassy travel agent at the Larnaca port 
was very popular and in great demand.  Successful MED station 
at the Larnaca port included the Regional Medical Officer, 
Embassy nurse, a U.S. marine medic station, and medical 
assistance set up by the Cypriots.  Ambassador Schlicher 
greeted American arrivals and did press interviews. 
 
--CONS has set up a system of compiling passenger lists as 
people disembark that include name, passport numbers and DOB. 
 These lists will be forwarded to local and Washington task 
forces as they become available. 
 
--CONS is trying to set up July 19 a call center to handle 
calls from the public.  We are receiving 120-200 calls per 
hour. 
 
--Ordinary Embassy Nicosia CONS operations are suspended with 
the exception of emergencies.  Post is sending out a warden 
message to that effect. 
 
MANAGEMENT 
 
¶4. (SBU)  We are working with the Cyprus International 
Fairgrounds to expect approximately 325 U.S. citizens from 
the MV Orient Queen; we plan to provide buffet meals.  USG 
staff and local volunteers plan to greet arrivals at the 
Fairgrounds.  We are also planning to provide televisions, 
books, magazines, etc. donated by local U.S. citizens and 
Cypriots. 
 
 
PUBLIC AFFAIRS 
 
¶5. (U) The following are public affairs updates: 
 
--Ambassador gave interviews the morning of July 19 and plans 
more throughout the day. 
 
--PAS is planning to update IIP website with photos of our 
support and help on the ground. 
 
REGIONAL AFFAIRS 
 
¶4.  (S)  RA is providing 24-hour operations for continuous 
intelligence support.  RA will also be producing a daily NEO 
intelligence sitrep. 
 
SECURITY 
 
¶5.  (S)  The following are security updates: 
 
--RSO has cleared the arrival of air marshals to Nicosia, and 
are looking for two U.S. citizens currently on a watchlist 
who may arrive from Beirut.  Nicosia Task Force and CONS will 
coordinate passenger manifests with RSO, RA, and law 
enforcement. 
 
--RSO is monitoring July 19 protests scheduled to take place 
in central Nicosia.  Approximately 400 demonstrators led by 
House President and AKEL party leader Christofias plan to 
gather at AKEL headquarters. 
SCHLICHER