TFLE01: CYPRUS SITREP 28 AS OF 0800 LOCAL,

C O N F I D E N T I A L NICOSIA 001252

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

PLEASE PASS TO USAID

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/02/2016
TAGS: AEMR ASEC KPAO MGT LE CY KFLO CASC AMGT
SUBJECT: TFLE01: CYPRUS SITREP 28 AS OF 0800 LOCAL,
TUESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2006

REF: NICOSIA 1250

Classified By: Ambassador Ronald L. Schlicher, reasons 1.4 B/D


1. (C) Summary: Total headcount of U.S.-assisted arrivals was
13,548 and of U.S.-assisted departures was 10,566. As of
0800L August 1 there were 234 people at the Cyprus
International Fairgrounds, with more people arriving from
hotels to wait for the last U.S.-chartered flight. We are
working with the Government of Cyprus to document
U.S.-assisted arrivals who will not depart on this flight.
End summary.

POL/MIL


2. (C) DCM met with MFA Consular Director Homer Mavrommatis,
police, and Civil Defense officials on August 1 to discuss
the status of parole applicants who have been denied.
Mavrommatis reminded DCM of U.S. responsibility for these
arrivals, and agreed to send Cypriot police and immigration
officials to the Fairgrounds to document them and possibly
extend their visas temporarily until they are able to arrange
their onward travel. Mavrommatis also expressed gratitude
for U.S. cooperation and the donation of substantial supplies
to be left behind at the Fairgrounds. We will remain in
contact to plan a handover ceremony of the facility
tentatively scheduled for Friday, August 4.

CONSULAR


3. (C) The following are consular updates:

--Total headcount of U.S.-assisted arrivals was 13,548 and
total U.S.-assisted departures was 10,566 (includes 282 who
departed on July 31 flight). As of 0800L August 1 there were
234 people at the Cyprus International Fairgrounds, with more
people arriving from hotels to wait for the last
U.S.-chartered flight on August 2. The Fairgrounds will
close after the departure of the last bus at approximately
2300L. The Embassy has alerted the public about the last
U.S.-chartered flight via its website, a press release, and
phone calls to hotels sheltering evacuees. As some
U.S.-assisted arrivals turn up at the Fairgrounds, it appears
that word about this last flight is getting out.

--UNHCR visited the Fairgrounds July 31 and expressed the
desire to interview all who have been turned down for parole.
Post welcomes their support and plans to facilitate
applicants' contact with them.

MANAGEMENT


4. (U) The lease on the Fairgrounds facility will expire on
Friday, August 4.

SECURITY


5. (C) The following are security updates:

--Conditions at the Fairgrounds are calm, but RSO is
requesting an increased Cypriot police presence to ensure the
peaceful loading of the last bus to the airport at 2200L.

--RSO tracked a demonstration of approximately 100 people
from the Israeli Embassy to Embassy Nicosia on July 31 around
2000L; they stayed for only 10 minutes before moving on to
the French Embassy.
SCHLICHER