Cablegate: Cyprus: Resident Syrian Community Protests

VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHNC #0896 3181319
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 131319Z NOV 08
FM AMEMBASSY NICOSIA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9324
INFO RUEHTH/AMEMBASSY ATHENS 4091
RUEHDM/AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS 2121
RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 5321

UNCLAS NICOSIA 000896

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/SE, DS/IP/EUR, S/ES-CR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC PREL CY SY
SUBJECT: CYPRUS: RESIDENT SYRIAN COMMUNITY PROTESTS
ALLEGED U.S. OPERATION

REF: A. NICOSIA 881
B. NICOSIA 860
C. RSO NICOSIA - DS COMMUNICATION OF 11/9/08

1. (SBU) At 1100 hrs on November 8, approximately 50
individuals representing the Syrian diaspora in Cyprus staged
a demonstration around the corner from Embassy Nicosia (Ref
C). Protesters criticized the alleged October 26 U.S.
military operation in eastern Syria. The demonstration was
peaceful; at its conclusion, a Syrian community leader passed
an envelope the Regional Security Officer. In it was a
message to the Ambassador from the "Syrian Committee in
Cyprus," the text of which is reproduced in Para 2.

2. (SBU) "His Excellency the Ambassador of the United States
of America in Cyprus, The Syrian Community in Cyprus has
sadly received the news of the American army's aggression on
the Syrian territories.

This attack has caused the lose of many civilians. It
constitutes an inhumane act and against international
legitimacy and state sovereignty, we strongly reject and
condemn.

As a Syrian community, we would like to congratulate the new
American President; Obama for his success and we hope that he
will remain faithful to the change motto that he announced in
his campaign, and for the purpose of attaining the true
justice and peace in our region and the world.

Our respect and consideration, from Syrian Community in
Cyprus.

Thabet Abbarah, The Secretary of the Syrian Community."

3. (SBU) The envelope containg the letter carried a return
address of the Syrian Arab Friendship club, a popular
restaurant three blocks from the Embassy which is frequented
by Mission personnel. Several protestors were affiliated
with the Friendship Club and its sister restaurant, Emessa.

4. (SBU) The Cypriot Foreign Ministry also has criticized
the alleged U.S. operations (Refs A, B).
Urbancic

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