Cablegate: Cyprus Supports Keeping the Pressure On the Farc

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RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHNC #0644 2181410
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 051410Z AUG 08
FM AMEMBASSY NICOSIA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9038
INFO RUEHTH/AMEMBASSY ATHENS 4057
RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 5252
RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA 0330
RUEHPE/AMEMBASSY LIMA 0118
RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 0107
RUEHUB/USINT HAVANA 0015

UNCLAS NICOSIA 000644

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/AND, EUR/SE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL VE HR EUN PTER AF SNAR PGOV CY
SUBJECT: CYPRUS SUPPORTS KEEPING THE PRESSURE ON THE FARC

REF: SECSTATE 77205

1. Per reftel, PolOff demarched Second Secretary Cyril
Nicolaou, the Americas Desk Officer for the Cypriot MFA, on
August 5 regarding Cyprus's support for keeping the pressure
on the FARC. Nicolaou replied that Cyprus does not support
the human rights abuses and terrorist acts of the FARC, and
will join the EU in supporting concerted international action
to bring an end to the FARC's abuses and to liberate the
remaining hostages. Cyprus also supports the July 8 Special
Session of the OAS Permanent Council declaration that
denounces "kidnapping as a horrendous crime." Nicolaou
confirmed that Cyprus will not offer safe-haven or offer any
form of material and other support to terrorists. The GOC
agrees that the international community should redouble its
efforts to work with regional and international
counternarcotics organizations to stem the flow of narcotics
and limit the FARC's revenue, and commits to work within
multilateral fora to leverage its relationship with Venezuela
to obtain Venezuela's commitment for tougher drug
enforcement, more regional cooperation, and a cessation of
its support for FARC.
SCHLICHER

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