CYPRUS SUPPORTS KEEPING THE PRESSURE ON THE FARC

UNCLAS NICOSIA 000644 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/AND, EUR/SE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL VE HR EUN PTER AF SNAR PGOV CY SUBJECT: CYPRUS SUPPORTS KEEPING THE PRESSURE ON THE FARC REF: SECSTATE 77205 ¶1. Per reftel, PolOff demarched Second Secretary Cyril Nicolaou, the Americas Desk Officer for the Cypriot MFA, on August 5 regarding Cyprus's support for keeping the pressure on the FARC. Nicolaou replied that Cyprus does not support the human rights abuses and terrorist acts of the FARC, and will join the EU in supporting concerted international action to bring an end to the FARC's abuses and to liberate the remaining hostages. Cyprus also supports the July 8 Special Session of the OAS Permanent Council declaration that denounces "kidnapping as a horrendous crime." Nicolaou confirmed that Cyprus will not offer safe-haven or offer any form of material and other support to terrorists. The GOC agrees that the international community should redouble its efforts to work with regional and international counternarcotics organizations to stem the flow of narcotics and limit the FARC's revenue, and commits to work within multilateral fora to leverage its relationship with Venezuela to obtain Venezuela's commitment for tougher drug enforcement, more regional cooperation, and a cessation of its support for FARC. SCHLICHER