CYPRUS: LOGISTICS FOR EASTERN MED REGIONAL

UNCLAS NICOSIA 000984 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EUR, S/CT, NEA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PTER PREL CY SUBJECT: CYPRUS: LOGISTICS FOR EASTERN MED REGIONAL STRATEGIC INITIATIVE REVIEW REF: NICOSIA - RSI COUNTRY AMBASSADORS EMAIL OF 12/12/08 ¶1. (U) Embassy Nicosia, in conjunction with the State Department's Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism (S/CT),will host the Eastern Mediterranean Regional Strategic Initiative (RSI) review on January 13. Ref message provided background on RSI and a brief rollout of the substantive discussion expected at the upcoming review; this message constains logistical information for participants, including lodging and transportation arrangements and conference costs. ¶2. (U) Embassy Nicosia's control officer for the RSI review is Christopher Roberti, who can be reached at 357-22-39-3474 (office),357-99-315-227 (mobile),357-22-35-8076 (home), 357-22-39-3467 (fax),or by email at RobertiCD@state.gov (unclassified) and RobertiCD@state.sgov.gov (classified). Other points of contact include S/CT officer Patrick Worman, WormanP@state.gov/state.sgov.gov (unclass/class) and Eastern Mediterranean regional CT officer Alan Purcell, PurcellAS@state.gov/state.sgov.gov (unclass/class). Please copy Roberti and Embassy Nicosia Political Section Office Manager Anita Aguasvivas (AguasvivasAM@state.gov/state.sgov.gov (unclass/class) on all logistics-related email traffic. ¶3. (U) S/CT will provide funding for the travel expenses of participants from posts, to include the chief of mission or his/her designate, plus one additional representative. To cover incidental conference costs, Embassy Nicosia will collect a fee of 75 USD per participant, as was charged at prior RSI reviews. ¶4. (U) Lodging: The Embassy has secured hotel rooms at the Hilton Park hotel in Nicosia (tel: 357-22-69-5111, 357-22-69-5209 (fax) at a special room rate of 90 euros per night (approximately 125 USD) for a standard room or 115 euros (approximately 159 USD) for an upgraded room; both rates include breakfast and taxes (please note that there are two Hilton-affiliated hotels in Nicosia. The Hilton Park is located on Grivas Digenis Avenue, a short distance from the Embassy.) ¶5. (U) Airport Processing: Americans traveling to Cyprus on a TDY basis are not required to obtain entry visas, even if traveling on official or diplomatic passports. Upon arrival at Larnaca International Airport, please follow signs to the passport control area; the lane for diplomatic passport holders is on the far right side of the control area. Once clearing passport control, travelers should claim any checked luggage and proceed through the airport exit to the taxi stand. Taxi fare between the airport and the Hilton Park is approximately 40-50 euros. ¶6. (U) Ground Transportation in Nicosia: The Embassy will provide transport between the Hilton Park and the Chancery on January 13 in connection with RSI, as well as on January 12 for a welcome event hosted by Ambassador Urbancic. Due to limited motorpool resources and staggered arrival times, participants are requested to travel by taxi between the airport and the hotel. ¶7. (U) Security: Cyprus is considered a high-threat post with a low crime rate. All official travelers to Cyprus are encouraged to review security briefing material available in the Regional Security Office upon arrival at Post. Department of State employees should bring their Global ID and/or Smart Card that will permit full access to the compound. Employees of other agencies and departments should bring their respective USG identification. We expect there will be one UK national in attendance as well. ¶8. (U) General. Hygienic conditions in Cyprus are similar to those in the United States, and a wide array of goods and services are available here. Visitors should be aware that international telephone rates, especially from hotels, are expensive. English is widely spoken and understood on the island. The host government has designated Larnaca and Pafos airports as authorized points of entry into the Republic of Cyprus; USG travelers on official orders and/or using diplomatic passports are not allowed to use Ercan Airport in the Turkish Cypriot-administered area. Cyprus is a member of the Eurozone. ATMs are readily available throughout the country, and currency exchange is available in major hotels and via a bank branch located within the Chancery. Urbancic