CYPRUS: RESIDENT SYRIAN COMMUNITY PROTESTS

UNCLAS NICOSIA 000896 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/SE, DS/IP/EUR, S/ES-CR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC PREL CY SY SUBJECT: CYPRUS: RESIDENT SYRIAN COMMUNITY PROTESTS ALLEGED U.S. OPERATION REF: A. NICOSIA 881 ¶B. NICOSIA 860 ¶C. RSO NICOSIA - DS COMMUNICATION OF 11/9/08 ¶1. (SBU) At 1100 hrs on November 8, approximately 50 individuals representing the Syrian diaspora in Cyprus staged a demonstration around the corner from Embassy Nicosia (Ref C). Protesters criticized the alleged October 26 U.S. military operation in eastern Syria. The demonstration was peaceful; at its conclusion, a Syrian community leader passed an envelope the Regional Security Officer. In it was a message to the Ambassador from the "Syrian Committee in Cyprus," the text of which is reproduced in Para 2. ¶2. (SBU) "His Excellency the Ambassador of the United States of America in Cyprus, The Syrian Community in Cyprus has sadly received the news of the American army's aggression on the Syrian territories. This attack has caused the lose of many civilians. It constitutes an inhumane act and against international legitimacy and state sovereignty, we strongly reject and condemn. As a Syrian community, we would like to congratulate the new American President; Obama for his success and we hope that he will remain faithful to the change motto that he announced in his campaign, and for the purpose of attaining the true justice and peace in our region and the world. Our respect and consideration, from Syrian Community in Cyprus. Thabet Abbarah, The Secretary of the Syrian Community." ¶3. (SBU) The envelope containg the letter carried a return address of the Syrian Arab Friendship club, a popular restaurant three blocks from the Embassy which is frequented by Mission personnel. Several protestors were affiliated with the Friendship Club and its sister restaurant, Emessa. ¶4. (SBU) The Cypriot Foreign Ministry also has criticized the alleged U.S. operations (Refs A, B). Urbancic