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