COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR EXPORT INVESTIGATIONS

UNCLAS NICOSIA 000823 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETTC PARM PREL CY SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR EXPORT INVESTIGATIONS TRAINING TEAM MEMBERS REF: HQ ICE IAO 041658 ¶1. Embassy Nicosia grants country clearance for the visit of Export Investigations Training Team Members Andrew Mefferd, Desiree King, Joseph Fariello, Leopoldo Lamas, Michael Cochran, Tim York to travel to Cyprus from October 19-29, 2007 as stated in reftel. Control Officer for travelers is EXBS Coordinator Christis Nikolaides reachable at tel: 357-22393525, mobile: 357-99376632, email: NikolaidesCS@state.gov. ¶2. The Embassy has confirmed reservations at the Hilton Hotel in Nicosia at an Embassy rate of 90.00 Cyprus pounds, or 217.00 U.S. dollars, per night, including breakfast. The lodging and M &IE portions of per diem are 212.00 and 118.00 U.S. dollars respectively - the exchange rate is approximately 1 Cyprus pound = 2.41 U.S. dollars. Post requests that visitors send their actual dates of arrival and departure for better management of the hotel reservations. ¶3. In accordance with post transportation policy, visitors should take a taxi from Larnaca airport to the Hilton Hotel, at a cost of approximately 30.00 Cyprus pounds. Airport taxis have meters. Both taxis and exchange facilities are available at Larnaca airport and at the hotel. U.S. 100-dollar notes are sometimes difficult to exchange. ¶4. Security clearance and building access: Post has received security clearance information annotated in cable. Post will ensure appropriate building access on date of arrival if needed. ¶5. Electronic devices: The RSO must approve any electronic device visitors may wish to bring 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. Cellular/mobile phones with cameras are prohibited in all Mission facilities. ¶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 official travelers to Cyprus are encouraged to review security-briefing material available in the Regional Security Office upon arrival at post. After January 1, 2005, 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. As noted in the April 10, 2007 Department of State worldwide caution public announcement, American citizens traveling anywhere, including Cyprus, are reminded to maintain a high level of vigilance. Visitors should keep a low profile, be alert to any signs of surveillance, vary routes and times for required travel, and treat all mail from unfamiliar sources with suspicion. Suspicious incidents or activity must be reported to the RSO immediately. ¶9. 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