COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR CODEL SIRES, NOV 29

UNCLAS NICOSIA 000937 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OREP AMGT ASEC AFIN CY SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR CODEL SIRES, NOV 29 - DEC 1 REF: STATE 158296 ¶1. Embassy Nicosia warmly welcomes the November 29 - December 2 visit of Congressional Delegation SIRES to Cyprus as stated in reftel. Control officer for the visit is Political Chief Greg Macris, office telephone: 011-357-22-393524, cell phone: 011-357-99-424355, Home 011-357-22-591171. E-mail: MacrisGP@state.gov. ¶2. Hotel reservations have been made at the Hilton Cyprus Downtown located at Makarios Avenue; Tel: 011-357-22-377777, Fax: 011-357-22-377788. Transportation to and from Larnaca International Airport has been arranged by the Embassy. ¶3. Per reftel, Embassy Nicosia confirms the tentative member composition of: Rep. Albio Sires and spouse, Rep. John Carter and spouse, Rep. Dennis Moore and spouse, Rep. Phil Gingrey and spouse, Rep. Luis Guiterrez and spouse; as well as Congressional Staffer Mr. Eric Richardson and five U.S. military escorts. Post understands that Reps Tom Davis and Zack Space will not be visiting Cyprus. ¶4. Security clearance and building access: in compliance with DOS regulations and Mission policy, visitors desiring unescorted access into any Mission facility must ensure that their headquarters provide the following in their travel message: clearance level (if any),SSN, and agency granting clearance. Please send messages via cable with the "ASEC" tag to ensure proper distribution to the RSO. ¶5. Electronic devices: The RSO must approve any electronic device the visitor 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. ¶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 October 9, 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 SCHLICHER