COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR EUR/SE DIRECTOR

UNCLAS NICOSIA 000430 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OTRA CY GR UK SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR EUR/SE DIRECTOR DOUGLAS SILLIMAN'S TRAVEL, MAY 21 - 24, 2007 REF: STATE 66925 ¶1. Embassy Nicosia grants country clearance for the visit oF EUR/SE Director Douglas Silliman to travel to Cyprus from May 21, 2007 to May 24, 2007, as stated in Reftel. Control Officer for the visit will be Political Chief Greg Macris, office telephone: 011-357-22-39-3524, mobile phone: 011-357-99-424-355, e-mail: MacrisGP@state.gov, FAX: 011-357-22-39-3467. ¶2. The Embassy has confirmed reservations at the Hilton Park Hotel in Nicosia at an Embassy rate of 72.00 Cyprus pounds, or 168.00 U.S. dollars, per night, including breakfast. The exchange rate is approximately 1 Cyprus pound = 2.30 U.S.dollars. ¶3. Mr. Silliman will travel from Larnaca Airport to Nicosia with Ambassador Schlicher. Return transportation to Larnaca will be in an Embassy vehicle, as will transport during his stay. ¶4. Security clearance and building access: Post has received security clearance information annotated on State 15555. Post will ensure appropriate building access on date of arrival. ¶5. Electronic Devices: RSO approval must be obtained before any electronic device may be brought into any mission facility. Privately owned laptops and personal computers, peripherals, diskettes and tapes are prohibited in all mission facilities. Cellular/mobile phones and Palm Pilots are prohibited in CAA areas. ¶6. Travelers with USG-owned unclassified laptops or notebook computers, peripherals, diskettes and tapes must receive RSO/IMO authorization prior to being granted access to U.S. mission buildings. USG-owned classified computers must be sent to post via classified diplomatic pouch. Classified equipment must bear external USG bar-code inventory numbers and classification markings commensurate with the highest level of information processed on the system. Questions concerning other types of electronic devices and magnetic media may be directed to the RSO and IMO. ¶7. All travelers to Cyprus are encouraged to review security briefing material available from the regional security office upon arrival at post. The Department of State and the Embassy require all visitors for 30 or more days to certify that they have completed a Bureau of Diplomatic Security approved personal security course. Failure to do so will result in denial of country clearance. ¶8. Cyprus is considered a high-threat post with a low crime rate. It has good hygienic conditions and a good array of goods and services. Americans traveling to Cyprus on a TDY basis are not required to obtain entry visas. The host government has designated Larnaca and Paphos airports as authorized points of entry into the Republic of Cyprus; USG travelers considering arrival via other ports must consult the Embassy before making their arrangements. Visitors should be aware that international telephone rates from Cyprus, especially from hotels are extremely expensive. English is widely spoken and understood. SCHLICHER