Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09NICOSIA659
2009-10-15 12:06:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Nicosia
Cable title:  

CYPRUS: GREEK CYPRIOTS AND TURKISH CYPRIOTS CANCEL

Tags:  PREL PGOV TR GR CY 
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VZCZCXRO0740
RR RUEHIK
DE RUEHNC #0659 2881206
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 151206Z OCT 09 ZFF4
FM AMEMBASSY NICOSIA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0219
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 1537
UNCLAS NICOSIA 000659 

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR/SE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV TR GR CY
SUBJECT: CYPRUS: GREEK CYPRIOTS AND TURKISH CYPRIOTS CANCEL
ANNUAL MILITARY EXERCISES

UNCLAS NICOSIA 000659

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR/SE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV TR GR CY
SUBJECT: CYPRUS: GREEK CYPRIOTS AND TURKISH CYPRIOTS CANCEL
ANNUAL MILITARY EXERCISES


1. (U) In near back-to-back announcements, both Greek Cypriot
and Turkish Cypriot authorities announced on October 13 the
respective cancellation of their annual "Nikiforos" and
"Toros" military exercises, normally conducted in the fall.
The exercises were last held in 2007, but canceled in 2008
and also during the Annan Plan era. In the past, the joint
Turkish-Turkish Cypriot "Toros" was usually held three-four
weeks after the combined Greek-Greek Cypriot "Nikiforos," and
both included live fire demonstrations and reinforcements
from Turkey and Greece respectively.


2. (U) Turkish Cypriot Press Spokesman Hasan Ercakica
announced the cancellation of "Toros" at his weekly press
briefing on October 13. Ercakica said that the decision to
cancel the military exercise should be seen as an "expression
of the will (of the Turkish Cypriots) to improve the
political atmosphere during the negotiations." He added that
the decision had been made in consultation with all relevant
parties, i.e. with Turkey.


3. (U) In a written statement later that day, RoC Government
Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou announced that the government
had decided to cancel the "Nikiforos" exercise after the
Turkish Cypriot announcement to cancel "Toros."
URBANCIC