Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06LONDON5198
2006-07-15 13:23:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy London
Cable title:  

(C) TFLE01: SEEKING INFORMAL APPROVAL TO USE UK

Tags:  PREL PINS AEMR MARR CASC KHLS LE UK 
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VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHLO #5198 1961323
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 151323Z JUL 06
FM AMEMBASSY LONDON
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7419
INFO RUEHLB/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT IMMEDIATE 0175
RUEHNC/AMEMBASSY NICOSIA IMMEDIATE 0332
RHEHAAA/WHITEHOUSE WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/JCS WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
C O N F I D E N T I A L LONDON 005198 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/14/2016
TAGS: PREL PINS AEMR MARR CASC KHLS LE UK
SUBJECT: (C) TFLE01: SEEKING INFORMAL APPROVAL TO USE UK
BASES IN CYPRUS FOR LEBANON EVAC

REF: STATE 115501

Classified By: Acting PolCouns Richard Bell for reasons 1.4 (b,d,& g)

C O N F I D E N T I A L LONDON 005198

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/14/2016
TAGS: PREL PINS AEMR MARR CASC KHLS LE UK
SUBJECT: (C) TFLE01: SEEKING INFORMAL APPROVAL TO USE UK
BASES IN CYPRUS FOR LEBANON EVAC

REF: STATE 115501

Classified By: Acting PolCouns Richard Bell for reasons 1.4 (b,d,& g)


1. (C) Embassy London discussed with FCO Cyprus Desk Officer
Simon Wood on July 14 the possibility of the U.S. using
British Sovereign Base Areas (SBAs) on Cyprus as staging
areas for fixed and rotary aircraft to help evacuate AmCits
from Lebanon. Wood told us that ultimately the decision
rested with the British MOD, but at the FCO's working level,
there were no objections. Wood also advised that when we are
prepared to make a formal request, it would have to be done
through MOD channels. He also stressed the importance of
coordinating with Cyprus on any evacuation plans, suggested
we should get permission from Cyprus to use its airspace and
territorial waters even though the BSAs were sovereign
territory, and opined that we would find the Cypriots rather
helpful given the level of assistance Cyprus was providing to
EU states also trying to evacuate their citizens.


2. (C) DAO has raised our informal request with the Chief of
Defense Staff's (CDS) office. The CDS's office told DAO that
the MOD reviewed their own evacuation plans for the region a
couple of weeks ago and as a result, believe their own plans
are well prepared. DAO understood that the Permanent Joint
Headquarters (PJHQ),responsible for MOD operations, was
currently working on the UK's own evacuation plans, and that
a MOD working group in Strategic Plans was reviewing the
capacity of the SBA's support infrastructure. The CDS's
office did raise the concern that there were also
approximately 15,000 British nationals in the region that
might need to be evacuated elevating British concerns about
the capacity of British SBAs in Cyprus to accommodate Amcit
evacuees, what services Amcits could be provided, and how
long they would stay.


3. (C) The CDS's office informed DAO that they are
considering our informal request and would respond tomorrow
July 15 at approximately 1100 hrs (GMT). DAO passed their
weekend contact details and we will report in septel as soon
as we have more information.

Visit London's Classified Website:
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