MONTHLY REPORT--NICOSIA BUREAU--JUNE 1981

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP83-00385R000200090016-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 8, 2007
• Sequence Number: 16
• Publication Date: June 1, 1981
• Content Type: MEMO

Approved For Release 2007/05/08: CIA-RDP83-00385R000200090016-5
MEMORANDUM TO: Director, FBIS
THROUGH . Chief, Operations Group
SUBJECT . Monthly Report--Nicosia Bureau--June 1981
1. GENERAL
6 July 1981
On 29 June, the bureau began experimental coverage of Athens FM
transmissions from a Cyprus Telecommunications Authority (CYTA) site
above Paphos on the western edge of the island. A survey earlier in
the month had shown that summer reception of several Greek FM stations
was excellent, and CYTA agreed to establish a temporary link for further
testing. Results thus far bear out initial reception results, but the
temporary telephone link has not been satisfactory. CYTA is now trying
to find a better quality line to improve monitorability at the bureau.
In the interim, our remote receiver at the Pissouri CYTA site is still
operational for medium wave coverage.
The election season has now ended in Cyprus with the elections in
the Turkish zone resulting in "President" Denktash retaining'office, but
his party losing its parliamentary majority. Talks between the GOC and
the Turkish side are expected to resume soon, but the election results
did not seem to point the way for increased negotiating flexibility on
either side.
A. Editorial/Monitorial
1. Effective 25 June, Nicosia Bureau started Thursday and
Saturday coverage of the 0600 GMT Baghdad Persian to Iran casts, which
were previously not covered.
2. Effective 25 June, Nicosia Bureau transferred to Gulf Bureau
coverage of Moscow Persian to Iran 1100 and 1630 GMT casts previously
covered by Nicosia on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.
3. In an attempt to achieve more satisfactory coverage distribution
in the area, Nicosia transferred to Gulf Bureau on 6 June AFP coverage of
Arabian Peninsula countries, Iran and Iraq during the period 0600-1700 daily.
Nicosia retains primary backstopping responsibilities and retains coverage
1700-2300 daily. Nicosia retains all its other AFP coverage.
B. Lateral/Special Services
1. In response to a telephone request from the U.S. Embassy in
Athens, Nicosia filed several reports and editorials leading up to and
following a 12 June march in Athens demonstrating against the U.S. bases
in Greece.
Approved For Release 2007/05/08: CIA-RDP83-00385R000200090016-5
 Approved For Release 2007/05/08: CIA-RDP83-00385R000200090016-5
2. During the month, the bureau provided three phonepatches of
Tehran Domestic Service to the BBC. Total time was approximately 130 minutes.
3. Following the ROC elections, the chief of the Embassy Political
section canceled with thanks the special services he had earlier requested
under which he received copies of all bureau Cyprus newspaper and radio
summaries.
1. Personnel at the bureau suffered through unusually severe water
shortages early in the month as the flow of water to Nicosia from the Turkish
side was cut off or restricted for much of the month. Water rationing
continues, but the worst of the problem has apparently been resolved.
2. Border authorities on the Turkish side have become more restrictive
in an attempt to have embassy personnel sign applications to cross the
border. No bureau personnel were actually denied permission to cross,
however, and discussions between the U.S. Charge d'Affaires and the Turkish
side's Foreign Minister seem to have eased the problem for the moment.
3. Arabic monitor
first, on 10 June.
4. Persian monitor
on 14 June.
5. Ops Special'Assistant
visited the bureau 20-24 June.
and his wife had a baby boy, their STAT
was converted to full FSN stat%IAT
and position classifierl
SLAT
STAT
Nicosia Bureau Chief
Attachment:
A. Operations Report (including production and traffic report)
Approved For Release 2007/05/08: CIA-RDP83-00385R000200090016-5