CYPRUS: REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF UNITED STATES

C O N F I D E N T I A L NICOSIA 000314 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EUR, ISN, PM E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/13/2019 TAGS: PTER MARR MOPS PREL PGOV CY SUBJECT: CYPRUS: REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF UNITED STATES COAST GUARD ANTI-TERRORISM ENGAGEMENT Classified By: AMBASSADOR FRANK C.URBANCIC FOR REASONS 1.4 B AND D. ¶1. (SBU) ACTION REQUEST: Embassy Nicosia requests Department approval to initiate the following select Department of Defense (DoD) engagement activity with the Republic of Cyprus (ROC): United States Coast Guard (USCG) training on seaport security and anti-terrorism. ¶2. (SBU) Cyprus has routinely supported U.S. Navy (USN) ship visits and is currently carrying out massive port improvement projects that will allow our aircraft carriers to berth &along side8 in the Port of Limassol. ¶3. (C) USCG training on seaport security and anti-terrorism serves to continue gains made under the Export Control and Border Security (EXBS) program in Cyprus. The island's strategic location, its extensive connections to the maritime industry, the frequent and routine use of Cypriot ports by the USN (24 ship visits conducted in 2008),and the seemingly increased frequency of international smuggling events requiring a Cypriot response (most recently the M/V Monchegorsk and previously the M/V Slavyanin and M/V Gregorio) strongly argue for improving Cypriot capabilities in the areas of port security, anti-terrorism and the counter-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. ¶4. (C) Embassy Nicosia believes this is an important program that will enable the USG to engage with the ROC in a vital area without negatively affecting U.S. regional bilateral relationships. It remains consistent with the legalities of U.S. policy on Cyprus, is in direct support of vital U.S. national interests, supports the protection of our strategic interests on the island, and acts as a counter to increased Russian influence here. It will not improve the military capabilities of any armed force in Cyprus nor broach the political redlines of any regional neighbor. Past events such as USN ship visits and Cypriot attendance at the International Seapower Symposium have not generated negative fallout. It is the Ambassador's judgment that engagement in this area does not threaten in any way the established peace and stability on the island or the recent progress towards a solution. Urbancic