TFLE01: CYPRUS SITREP 19 AS OF 1700 LOCAL,

C O N F I D E N T I A L NICOSIA 001216 SIPDIS SIPDIS PLEASE PASS TO USAID E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/28/2016 TAGS: AEMR ASEC KPAO MGT LE CY KFLO CASC AMGT SUBJECT: TFLE01: CYPRUS SITREP 19 AS OF 1700 LOCAL, THURSDAY, JULY 27, 2006 REF: NICOSIA 11106 AND PREVIOUS Classified By: Ambassador Ronald L. Schlicher, reasons 1.4 B/D ¶1. (C) Summary: Total headcount of U.S.-assisted arrivals in Cyprus as of 1700L was 13,229. 9,389 had departed with U.S. government assistance by 1700L on July 27. 488 will spend the night at the Cyprus International Fairgrounds. End summary. POLITICAL ¶2. (U) GOC Interior Minister Christou stated today that Cyprus is "capable of welcoming 8,000 people per day without any difficulties," provided that they travel to third countries soon after their arrival. CONSULAR ¶3. (C) The following are consular updates: --Headcount of U.S.-assisted arrivals (includes U.S. citizens, LPRs and third-country nationals) in Cyprus as of 1700(L) July 27: 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 1054 via MV Orient Queen July 20 3 via HMS Gloucester July 20 27 via UN Serenade & IREA Petra July 20 187 via helicopter (BAB) July 20 100 via UN ship Serenade July 21 1054 via USS Nashville July 21 790 via Orient Queen July 21 241 via helicopter (BAB) July 21 1803 via USS Trenton July 22 27 via Greek Ikaria July 22 21 via MV Akioni July 22 1050 via USS Nashville July 22 815 via Ramah July 22 39 via helicopter 2108 July 22 1005 via USS Whidbey July 23 983 via Orient Queen July 23 38 via helicopter July 23 529 via USS Nashville July 24 26 via helicopter July 24 772 via Orient Queen July 24 3 via Princessa Marissa July 25 5 via helicopter July 25 7 via helicopter July 25 152 via Ramah July 25 36 via helicopter July 25 281 via Vittoria M July 25 338 via Orient Queen July 26 (estimated) 7 via French military helicopter July 26 4 via IREA Petra July 26 331 via Vittoria M July 26 3 via helicopter July 26 324 via Princessa Marissa July 27 557 via Orient Queen July 27 7 via UN Serenade July 27 20 via French military ship Sirocco July 27 TOTAL: 13,229 --There were a total of 9,389 U.S.-assisted departures from Cyprus on U.S. charter flights as of 1700L July 27 (with a flight due to take off at any minute carrying 351 passengers). Two more charter flights are scheduled for 0200L and 2300L July 28. No further arrivals are scheduled at this time. --A large number of undocumented passengers arrived early July 27 aboard the Princess Marissa from southern Lebanon (133 of 324 were either TCNs or lacked documentation for travel to the United States). --Approximately 488 people will spend the night at the Fairgrounds (of whom some 250 are undocumented cases and their relatives). CONS will attempt to conduct short, daily town hall meetings there at a specified time. MANAGEMENT ¶4. (C) MGT is working to maintain a proper balance of staff at the Fairgrounds, ports of entry and control room as TDYers begin to depart and Embassy Beirut moves to ordered departure. PUBLIC AFFAIRS ¶5. (U) The Cypriot press have been interviewing people at the Fairgrounds. Reports so far are not positive, with arrivals there complaining about delay and uncertainty regarding their onward travel. SCHLICHER