TFLE01: CYPRUS SITREP 06 AS OF 1800 LOCAL,

C O N F I D E N T I A L NICOSIA 001175 SIPDIS SIPDIS PLEASE PASS TO USAID E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/21/2016 TAGS: AEMR ASEC KPAO CMGT LE CY KFLO CASC AMGT SUBJECT: TFLE01: CYPRUS SITREP 06 AS OF 1800 LOCAL, THURSDAY, JULY 20, 2006 REF: A. NICOSIA 1166 ¶B. NICOSIA 1167 ¶C. NICOSIA 1170 ¶D. NICOSIA 1172 ¶E. NICOSIA 1174 Classified By: Ambassador Ronald L. Schlicher, reasons 1.4 B/D ¶1. (C) Summary: Ambassador weighed in septel with request that the increasing flow of evacuees be calibrated between Cyprus and other destinations such as Mersin in order to keep our total daily flow in line with our capacity to handle 2,000 evacuees daily. Additional charter airlift will be necessary for us to ensure the smooth flow of these 2,000 each day. Total headcount of U.S. citizens received as of 1700L was 1680. POL/MIL ¶2. (C) The following are pol/mil updates: --The Government of Cyprus (GOC) issued a note verbale July 20 afternoon announcing that due to congestion, the Larnaca port will no longer take arrivals on a first-come, first-served basis, but rather by schedule. DAO is coordinating with the CTF to ensure the GOC is informed of all U.S. arrivals. --DAO is continuing preparation for use of Paphos airport to handle outbound evacuee flights. CONSULAR ¶3. (C) The following are consular updates: --Accounting of U.S. citizens who have arrived in Cyprus: 11 via helicopter July 16 62 via helicopter and ship July 17 37 via French-chartered ship July 18 104 via helicopter July 18 138 via Hoegh Norwegian ship July 19 4 via Greek military ship July 19 160 via helicopter (Beirut Air Bridge - BAB) July 19 3 via HMS York July 19 3 via Crete II July 19 1012 via MV Orient Queen July 20 3 via HMS Gloucester July 20 27 via Serenade & IREA Petra July 20 96 via helicopter (BAB) July 20 TOTAL: 1680 (as of 1700L, when an additional helicopter was expected to arrive, bringing the total to over 1,700; Nicosia control room) --2200 U.S. citizens are expected to arrive via ship from Beirut July 21, with more arriving July 22 (USS Nashville and MV Orient Queen expected to dock at Limassol port early July 21 with 1055 and 800 U.S. citizens respectively). --258 U.S. citizens have so far departed on charter flights July 20. From July 20 to 21, 1040 more are scheduled to depart via charter flights. --Embassy Nicosia estimates it will need a total of at least 51 CONS officers, 19 MGT and 20 PD TDYers to accommodate this number. Post will elaborate via email and telcon to Taskforce. --More baggage handlers are needed at the Nicosia airport; DAO will liaise with airport officials to see if military personnel can temporarily fill this gap. MANAGEMENT ¶4. (U) Two military doctors and seven military nurses are in country, along with Cairo RMO Dr. Nicholas, who is assisting Embassy Nicosia's nurse. Medical staff is providing support to evacuees at the Fairgrounds and at the ports. SECURITY ¶5. (U) Regional Security Office has agents on the ground at Larnaca, who report that the airport is increasingly congested. SCHLICHER