Cablegate: Tfle01: Lebanon Evacuation: Mersin/Adana/Incirlik

VZCZCXRO7869
OO RUEHAST
DE RUEHAK #4252 2021546
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 211546Z JUL 06
FM AMEMBASSY ANKARA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7434
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUEHLB/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT IMMEDIATE 0438
RUEHDM/AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS IMMEDIATE 1524
RHMFIUU/39ABG INCIRLIK AB TU IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J-3/J-5// IMMEDIATE
RHMFIUU/425ABS IZMIR TU//CC// IMMEDIATE
RUEHAK/USDAO ANKARA TU IMMEDIATE
RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE IMMEDIATE
RUEUITH/ODC ANKARA TU IMMEDIATE
RHMFIUU/COMSIXTHFLT IMMEDIATE
RUFPAAA/16AF ASEG AKINCI AB TU IMMEDIATE

UNCLAS ANKARA 004252

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR CA/OCS AND CA/EX
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/EX/PMO/DL
DEPARTMENT PASS TASK FORCE ONE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AEMR CASC EWWT PREL CMGT MOPS US TU
SUBJECT: TFLE01: LEBANON EVACUATION: MERSIN/ADANA/INCIRLIK
- MISSION TURKEY READY TO GO

REF: A. ANKARA 4154
B. SECSTATE 7843
C. DCM-TASK FORCE 7/20 TELCON
D. ANKARA 4200
E. TASK FORCE 7/20 TASKING E-MAIL
F. ANKARA 4234

1. (U) By evening 7/21 local time, Mission Turkey will have
staffed up in Mersin and Incirlik Air Base to accommodate
AmCits evacuating Lebanon. As of 7/22 we will be capable of
processing the 1400 pax expected on the Rahmah. We
understand TDY consular and management assistance is en
route; we very much appreciate the help. Incirlik staff and
facilities are well able to accommodate evacuee needs. Fully
staffed, we will be able to handle 2000-2500/day.

2. (U) Arrivals: Late 7/20, 24 AmCits, 4 green card holders
and one Lebanese with 2 AmCit children arrived in Mersin on a
Canadian-chartered fast ferry. We understand that two more
Canadian-chartered ferries will arrive between 2100-2300
local 7/21, followed by two high speed catamarans. We are
not aware at this point that any AmCits are on board, but
will continue to be in touch with Canadian colleagues and are
prepared in the event Amcits are on board. We expect the
arrival late afternoon/early evening 7/22 local time of the
Rahmah with approximately 1400 Amcits on board.

3. (U) Outbound flights: We understand chartered aircraft
will arrive at Incirlik July 22 and 23 with capacity to
transport the 1400 expected evacuees. Additional charter
capacity will be essential as subsequent vessels arrive in
Mersin so we do not exceed 2000-2500 on Incirlik at any one
time.

4. (U) Visa requirements and customs issues: To the extent
it is possible, in advance of debarkation, to get passenger
manifests with names, passport numbers, dob and nationality,
it will greatly facilitate Turkish customs/passport
formalities. We are working with GOT officials to plus up
the number of customs officials at portside for arrival, as
well as at Incirlik for departure.

5. (U) Crisis Action Team (CAT): As of 1730 local 7/21,
Embassy Ankara will have a CAT room staffed 24/7 to deal with
incoming task force calls and other evacuation-related
issues. Embassy number: 90-312-455-5555, ext 2173 or 2174;
fax: 90-312-468-6138; opennet e-mail address collective:
ankara-cat-dl@state.gov. Please include this e-mail
collective on any communications relating to the evacuation.

6. (U) TSA requirements: Incirlik reports they are getting 6
Air Marshals and that their port PAX terminal is fully
compliant and capable of screening luggage and processing for
the onward movement.

Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/

WILSON

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