CYPRUS SITUATION REPORT # 14

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06907716
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: July 13, 2023
• Document Release Date: March 2, 2022
• Case Number: F-2019-02114
• Publication Date: August 19, 1974

Approved for Release: 2022/02/28 C06907716
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
August 19, 1974
INTELLIGENCE MEMORANDUM
CYPRUS
Situation Report Number 14
(As of 1200 EDT)
(All times cited are Nicosia time, unless other-
wise specified.)
STATUS OF THE US EMBASSY IN NICOSIA
1. President Clerides was obviously shaken by
the murder of Ambassador Davies and is doing all he
can to guarantee the safety of Americans in Nicodia.
He was the first to arrive at the embassy after the
attack and accompanied the ambassador to the hospital.
2. Clerides told US embassy officials in Nicosia
that he has set up a 24-hour military force around
the embassy, with orders to fire on any further demon-
strators. He has also banned all public meetings
and expressed his horror over the killing of Ambas-
sador Davies in a radio broadcast today. He described
the people who attacked the embassy as "enemies of
Cyprus."
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_TOPFTE17
3. derides has also
Guard to detail an armored
National Guard and Cypriot
buildings near the embassy
Embassy officials reported
earlier.
asked the Greek National
car to the embassy.
police are sweeping
for possible snipers.
snipers in the vicinity
4. US embassy officials have also asked the
Greek embassy in Nicosia for their cooperation. The
Greek charge promised to urge the...Greek�officered
National Guard to protect the embassy.
5. The US defense attache in Nicosia has been
in touch with the commander of the 'National Guard,
General Karayiannisito arrange for the security of
the embassy. Karayiannis said he is reinforcing the
company now deployed around the embassy with an
armored car company.
6. A report indicated that a Canadian
UN contingent has also taken positions around the
embassy..
CYPRIOT ECONOMY
7. A Cypriot government spokesman said today
that about 200,000 Greek Cypriots--about 40 percent
of the Greek Cypriot population--have became refugees.
He also claimed that thefeconomic damage on Cyprus
reaches hundreds of million Cypriot pounds, The
Cypriot pound is normally worth $2.50. A UN official
on Cyprus, discussing the refugee problem, stated.
that the "word 'critical' does not describe the.
situation." He also reported to UN Headquarters
that the island's economic situation is "most .critical."
ANTI,US.-SENTIMENT IN GREECE .
. 8, The group commander of the US airbase at
Iraklion, Crete was assured this afternoon by the chief
of the local gendarmerie.that the-Greek army units
�2�
TOP
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under his command will provide complete and continuous
protection to the airbase. Reports had come in
earlier that demonstrators were preparing to physically
attack the base.
9. An estimated three to four thousand demon-
strators clashed with police in the center of Athens
early today when a hunger strike by, students over
Cyprus erupted into anti-American rioting. Seven
policemen were injured in the rioting according to
police. Twenty-three persons reportedly were de-
tained but all except four were released-. Authorities
charged the disorders were the work of provocateurs
supporting the country's ousted military rulers.
AREA UNDER TURKISH CONTROL
10. UN representatives in Nicosia have reported
the extent of the southern boundary claimed by the
Turkish forces. In the far west the line begins at
a point on the coast about one mile west of Xeros,
runs southeast of Apliki, and then turns northeast
to Pano Zodhia. The line is undefined from Pano
Zodhia to Mia Milea, but the area of Turkish control
does not include Yerolakkas. The line south from Mia
Milea extends �to a point about one mile southwest of
Pyroi, then runs due east passing one mile north of
Athienou, and turns southeast again to Troulli. The
line continues due east from Troulli along the northern
edge of the British base at Khekelia and ends at the
port city of Famagusta.
CASUALTIES
11. A government spokesman in Nicosia announced
today that an estimated 4,000 Greek Cypriots had been
killed. Although civilians are included in the
figures, these numbers probably present a fairly
realistic picture of the Greek Cypriot casualites.
- 3--
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embassy had informed the Cypriot police
demonstration would take place, and
protection. The police sent to the
unarmed and clearly not inclined to
strators, who were well "organized.
(b)(3)
LATE ITEM
Nicosia reports that the (b)(1)
that today's (b)(3)
had asked for
embassy were
stop the demon-
As of 1000 (EDT) a National Guard unit of some
70 men, an �armed police detachment :of some �40 men,
and a small UN force were protecting the embassy.
Another UN unit with armor is within five minutes
of the embassy. who 'spoke with the
National Guard and police � commandes believe that
the Cypriot forces probably would not assure the
embassy protection from another well organized mob:
also believes that the embassy
staff will decide to evacuate the embassy tomorrow.
-4-
(b)(3)
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