LordLindsey
A Disturbance in the Force
http://theinfounderground.com/archives/TiU-TFC.Emergency.Broadcast.25th.June.09.guests.Cynthia.McKinney.and.Caoimhe.Butterly.mp3
PLEASE spread this far-and-wide! This is a HUGE deal because Israel has gotten caught falsifying paperwork regarding the Cyprus port situation in which Rep. Cynthia McKinney and the others on the ships of the Free Gaza Movement are being told that their ships are not sea-worthy--THIS IS PROVEN TO BE A LIE IN THIS INTERVIEW AND PERIPHERAL INFORMATION!!!
This is the progression of information from the beginning to now....
This is from Cynthia personally. This is BREAKING NEWS and has just occurred. Please do with this information whatever you can because this is VERY, VERY serious and there is absolute PROOF--according to Cynthia--of false reports and inspections involved. Here is the information as of 10 minutes ago--MUCH more to follow...
"The Limasol Port Authority, which controls Larnaca as well, sent their inspector to Larnaca with a letter saying that the boat failed inspection BEFORE HE ARRIVED IN LARNACA TO DO THE INSPECTION. Reuters is doing the story now and saying that we were prevented from leaving due to Cyprio authorities. Please report that our voyage is interfered with and have interested journalists contact the Limasol authorities and ask them why the are PURPOSELY delaying us from our PEACEFUL mission."
Folks, this is HUGE news and needs to be sent far-and-wide. The Israelies are doing everything that they can to prevent the ship from leaving, going so far as to have FALSIFIED REPORTS written-up. I will post more details as they become available.
PLEASE do what you can to help Cynthia and the others as this is a very big media event to shine light on the crimes being committed in Gaza.
LINDSEY
http://fs04n3.sendspace.com/dl/cf56763e ... onGaza.mp3
I am not sure if this link will work for you, but this is the latest interview with Cynthia about the lies surrounding her situation and Israel's attempt to keep her from reaching Gaza. Folks, this is a HUGE deal and needs to be sent to everyone you know, just as the interviews and 911 information page.
LINDSEY
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1095621.html
Last update - 13:07 25/06/2009
Cyprus prevents activists from sailing to Gaza
By The Associated Press
Tags: Blockade, Israel News, Gaza
Cyprus' Merchant Shipping Department on Thursday prevented international activists from sailing for Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid in violation of the Israeli-led blockade of the Palestinian territory.
Department chief Sergios Sergiou said that a fishing boat and a small ferry that the Free Gaza Group were to use for the trip from Cyprus to Gaza had not undergone safety inspections which would take at least a few days to complete.
"It's a dangerous trip," Sergiou told the Associated Press. "The vessels must undergo a general inspection before they are allowed to go."
Advertisement
But Free Gaza Group spokesman Ramzi Kysia said that both vessels were allowed to sail from Cyprus during the group's previous attempts to reach Gaza.
The Free Gaza Group already has made five successful boat trips from Cyprus to Gaza since August 2008. Kysia said the fishing boat sailed to the Hamas-ruled territory in August last year. The ferry set sail in January this year during Israel's three-week offensive in Gaza, but had to turn back a few hours into the trip after encountering mechanical problems.
Sergiou could not explain why the vessels were previously allowed to leave Cyprus.
Free Gaza spokeswoman Greta Berlin said she was absolutely outraged, but that activists would not be deterred.
Around 32 people including a former U.S. congresswoman (<-- Cynthia McKinney NOT NAMED) and an Irish Nobel laureate were to sail to Gaza to deliver 3 tons of medical supplies and 15 tons of cement.
"We promised the people of Gaza we would come back and that we would not forget them," said Mairead Corrigan Maguire, who won the 1976 Nobel Peace Prize for her work with Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland.
Related articles:
# Israeli prof. joins 40 activists sailing to Gaza
# Israel fears European ship may sail to Gaza to 'break siege'
# Cyprus lets activists sail to Gaza, despite Israeli siege
http://www.mcw.gov.cy/mcw/dms/dms.nsf/c ... n?OpenForm
Ministry of Communications and Works
Department of Merchant Shipping
ADDRESS
Kyllinis Street, Mesa Geitonia
4007, Lemesos
Postal Address:
P.O. Box 56193
3305, Lemesos
Cyprus
TELEPHONE / EMAIL INFORMATION
Information / Telephone Operator
Telephone No.: +357 25 848100
Facsimile No.: +357 25 848200
Electronic Mail: maritimeadmin@dms.mcw.gov.cy
Emergency tel. numbers for reporting marine casualties / incidents
Department of Merchant Shipping:
Telephone No.: +357 99 645707
Facsimile No.: +357 25 305117
Rescue Coordination Centre:
Telephone No.: +357 24 304723 / +357 24 304737
Facsimile No.: +357 24 643254
Contact details for emergency security alerts
Telephone No.: +357 99 377988
Electronic Mail: SSAS@dms.mcw.gov.cy
Latest from the Reuters journalist who was SUPPOSED to have the scoop while with Cynthia and the rest of the crew:
"Cyprus UN Mission Ambassador e-mail address: mhadjimichael@cyprusun.org
this is what was sent:
Dear Mr. Ambassador-
I have been in touch with former US Rep. Cynthia McKinney, who is part of a mission to Gaza to deliver civilian relief aid. I am a reporter here in New York and have been covering the story. Her boat is currently being held in Cyprus and she asked me to forward the following to your office:
"Our voyage is being interfered with and ask that you contact the Cyprus Government and ask them why the Limasol authorities are purposely delaying us.
If we could get an explanation from the Cyprus Government or the Mission at the UN, then it would help explain to us why the normal procedures that allowed 5 runs of the Dignity and previous runs of the Spirit of Humanity and Free Gaza were not followed."
Rep. McKinney's email address and my contact information follows:"
This is the latest, and Ognir is conducting an interview VERY, VERY shortly with the scoop on all that is happening now.
LINDSEY
NB: I am not sure if the reporter was in New York or is the Reuters reporter who was SUPPOSED to run the full-story of what is and was happening, but that can be deal with later.LordLindsey
Elder
Posts: 334
Joined: Thu Apr 16, 2009 10:00 pm
Location: USA
Private messageE-mail
http://www.mfa.gov.cy/mfa/mfa2006.nsf/A ... enDocument
COUNCIL OF EUROPE
PERMANENT REPRESENTATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS TO THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE
Representation:
20, Avenue de la Paix
67000 Strasbourg
France
Tel. :+ 33 3 88249870, 88245221 (Res.)
Fax :+ 33 3 88369056
E-mail: strasbourgpr@mfa.gov.cy
Permanent Representative:
H.E. Mr. Euripides L. Evriviades
Office hours:
09:00 – 17:30
F.A.O.
PERMANENT REPRESENTATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS TO THE UNITED NATIONS AGENCIES FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
Representation:
Piazza Farnese, 44
Scala A, Int. 1
00186 Rome, Italy
Tel. :+ 39 06 6865758, 6865263
Fax :+ 39 06 68803756
E-mail: faoprcyp@tin.it
Permanent Representative:
H.E. Mr. George F. Poulides
Office hours:
09:00 – 17:00 (Mon. – Fr.)
I.M.O.
PERMANENT REPRESENTATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS TO THE INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANIZATION
Representation:
13 St James' Square
London SW1Y 4LBM
Tel.:+ 44 (0) 207 3214 100
Fax:+ 44 (0) 207 3214 165/164
E-mail: cyphclondon@dial.pipex.com
Permanent Representative:
H.E. Mr. Alexandros N. Zenon
O.S.C.E.
PERMANENT MISSION OF THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS TO THE ORGANIZATION ON SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE
Mission:
20, Parkring
A-1010 Vienna
Tel. :+ 431 5130630, 5130631, + 431 5130620 (Res.)
Fax :+ 431 5130632
E-mail: permanentmission@cyprus.osce.vienna.at
Permanent Representative:
H.E. Mr. Marios Lyssiotis
Office hours:
09:00 – 17:00
UNESCO
PERMANENT DELEGATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS TO UNESCO
Delegation:
23 Rue Galilée
75116 Paris, France
Tel: + 33 1 47208628,
Res. +331 47277110
Fax :+ 33 1 40701344
E-mail: paris@mfa.gov.cy
ambechypre@wanadoo.fr
Permanent Delegate:
H.E. Mr Pericles Nearchou
UNITED NATIONS-GENEVA
PERMANENT MISSION OF THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS TO THE UNITED NATIONS OFFICE AT GENEVA AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS IN SWITZERLAND AND THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION
Mission:
Rue du Grand-Pré, 66
1202 Geneva
Switzerland
Tel. :+ 41 22 7982150, 7885980
Fax :+ 41 22 7910084
E-mail: cyprus@cyprusmission.ch
Permanent Representative:
H.E. Mr Andreas Hadjichrysanthou
Office hours:
09:00 – 17:00
UNITED NATIONS-NEW YORK
PERMANENT MISSION OF THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS TO THE UNITED NATIONS ORGANIZATION IN NEW YORK
Mission:
13, East 40th Street
New York, N.Y. 10016
U.S.A.
Tel. :+ 1 212 4816023/24/25, 9802654, 9800788 (Res.)
Fax :+ 1 212 6857316, 9808076 (Res.)
E-mail: pmccyprus.un@verizon.net
Website: http://www.un.int/cyprus
Press Section:
Tel.: + 1 212 6866103
Fax: + 1 212 6895716
Email: cyprus@un.int
Permanent Representative:
H.E. Mr. Minas Α. Hadjimichael
Resident in New York
Also accredited to:
Grenada, Saint Lucia, Brazil
Office hours:
09:00 – 17:00
UNITED NATIONS-VIENNA
PERMANENT MISSION OF THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS TO THE UNITED NATIONS AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS IN VIENNA
Mission:
20, Parkring
A-1010 Vienna
Tel. :+ 43 1 5130630, 5130631, + 43 1 5130620 (Res.)
Fax :+ 43 1 5130632
E-mail: permanentmission@cyprus.un.vienna.at
Permanent Representative:
H.E. Mr. Marios Lyssiotis
Office hours:
09:00 – 17:00
ORGANISATION INTERNATIONALE DE LA FRANCOPHONIE (O.I.F)
BUREAU DU REPRESENTANT PERSONNEL DU PRESIDENT DE LA REPUBLIQUE DE CHYPRE
AU CONSEIL PERMANENT DE LA FRANCOPHONIE
Ministère des affaires étrangères
CY 1447 Nicosie, Chypre
Tel.: + 357 22 401174
Fax: + 357 22 661881
E-mail: ghadjicosti@mfa.gov.cy
Adresse postale:
12, rue Parthenonos
2101, Aglantzia
Nicosie, Chypre
Tel.: +357 99 467723
Fax: +357 22 333850
E-mail: timotheou.ch@cytanet.com.cy
Représentant personnel du Président de la République au Conseil permanent de la Francophonie:
Mr. Charalambos Timotheou
This is Cynthia's latest on the situation:
"The Israelis are hopping mad. And they're flexing their muscles in all the ugly places. They can't ram us again without sparking an international uproar, so they're trying to stop us from leaving the port at all. The Limasol, Cyprus Port Authority which controls the port of Larnaca also, sent their inspector to Larnaca with a letter saying that the boat failed inspection, only thing, the letter was written BEFORE he even arrived in Larnaca to do the inspection! Reuters is doing the story at this very moment saying that we were prevented from leaving due to Cypriot authorities. We just learned from a Cyprus government source that pressure is being applied by Israel to deny us departure credentials. It appears, then, that Israel is putting us into contortions because they don't want us to take cement into Gaza. After white phosphorus, depleted uranium, DIME, cluster bombs, F16s, death, destruction, and mayhem. All of *this* over a few bags of cement. Can you believe???
1. Read the Haaretz article here, showing Israeli concern about us taking cement to Gaza
2. Hear the interview with Don Debar on the contortions we're being put through by Cyprus Port Authority
3. Read the Reuters article here (interesting that the story broke in Israel and not Cyprus!!)
4. Individuals have already started to contact the Cyprus UN Mission and their DC Embassy to inquire why they are arbitrarily not allowing the Spirit of Humanity and the Free Gaza to set sail.
1. Here is the Ha'aretz article:
Last update - 17:00 18/06/2009
Activists plan to send Gaza cement, in violation of Israel blockade
By Reuters and Haaretz Service
Activists campaigning for an end to Gaza's blockade by Israel will sail to the Hamas-run enclave from Cyprus despite the presence of the Israeli navy, they said on Thursday.
Two boats, including one carrying cement and building supplies -- materials not permitted in by Israel over fears that they could be used for military purposes -- will sail from Cyprus on June 25, the multi-national Free Gaza Movement said.
"We are taking 15 tons of cement, which is just a token of how much the Palestinians need, because the Israelis won't allow building supplies into Gaza," said Greta Berlin, a representative of the group.
The group started regular shuttles to Gaza from Cyprus in August 2008, but was turned back by the Israeli navy on its last journey in mid-January of this year.
Israel tightened a blockade on Gaza in 2007 after the Islamist Hamas took control of the enclave, a strip of land that is home to 1.5 million people.
Israeli forces bombed and then invaded Gaza in late December 2008 in a bid to rout out militants lobbing rockets into Israel, badly battering its already decrepit infrastructure.
Related articles:
U.S. ups pressure on Israel to end Gaza blockade
Ex-president Carter urges Obama to remove Hamas from U.S. terror list
2. Hear Greta Berlin and I explain what is happening with the purposeful delay of our departure
http://www.livestream.com/wbaix
3. Read the Reuters article:
12:54 25Jun09 -Cyprus halts aid boats bound for Gaza Strip
LARNACA, Cyprus, June 25 (Reuters) - Cyprus stopped two
boats planning to carry aid to the Gaza Strip in defiance of an
Israeli blockade from leaving port on Thursday, officials said.
The U.S.-based Free Gaza Movement had been planning to take
33 activists to Gaza with medical supplies and cement, a
material that Israel does not allow into the Palestinian
territory devastated by a short war that ended early this year.
The Free Gaza Movement started sending regular aid voyages
from Cyprus to Gaza in August 2008, but one of its boats was
involved in a collision with an Israeli vessel in December, and
was turned back on another mission in January.
Cypriot shipping officials cited inspection requirements for
stopping the two vessels, a small ferry and a sailing boat, from
leaving port two hours before their scheduled departure.
Both vessels had travelled to Gaza before.
"One of the ships was only recently registered in Cyprus and
under Cyprus law it has to undergo inspection before being given
permission to sail," said Serghios Serghiou, head of Cyprus's
Department of Merchant Shipping. "(The second) ... did not apply
for any inspections before sailing."
Israel tightened a blockade on Gaza in 2007 after the
Islamist group Hamas took control of the enclave, a tiny sliver
of territory home to some 1.5 million people.
Israel bans imports of cement, steel or other building
supplies to Gaza, saying militants could use them for military
purposes. One of the vessels was to carry 15 tonnes of cement.
Israeli forces bombed then invaded Gaza in late December
2008 with a declared aim of ending cross-border rocket attacks
from the Hamas-ruled territory.
The war damaged infrastructure and hurt an economy already
hobbled by years of isolation.
(Writing by Michele Kambas, editing by Lin Noueihed)
((michele.kambas@thomsonreuters.com; 357 22469607; Reuters
messaging michele.kambas.reuters.com@reuters.net))
Keywords: PALESTINIANS ISRAEL/ACTIVISTS
Thursday, 25 June 2009 12:54:02
RTRS [nLO676773 ] {C}
ENDS
We are determined to depart, if not today, then tomorrow."
LINDSEY
PLEASE spread this far-and-wide! This is a HUGE deal because Israel has gotten caught falsifying paperwork regarding the Cyprus port situation in which Rep. Cynthia McKinney and the others on the ships of the Free Gaza Movement are being told that their ships are not sea-worthy--THIS IS PROVEN TO BE A LIE IN THIS INTERVIEW AND PERIPHERAL INFORMATION!!!
This is the progression of information from the beginning to now....
This is from Cynthia personally. This is BREAKING NEWS and has just occurred. Please do with this information whatever you can because this is VERY, VERY serious and there is absolute PROOF--according to Cynthia--of false reports and inspections involved. Here is the information as of 10 minutes ago--MUCH more to follow...
"The Limasol Port Authority, which controls Larnaca as well, sent their inspector to Larnaca with a letter saying that the boat failed inspection BEFORE HE ARRIVED IN LARNACA TO DO THE INSPECTION. Reuters is doing the story now and saying that we were prevented from leaving due to Cyprio authorities. Please report that our voyage is interfered with and have interested journalists contact the Limasol authorities and ask them why the are PURPOSELY delaying us from our PEACEFUL mission."
Folks, this is HUGE news and needs to be sent far-and-wide. The Israelies are doing everything that they can to prevent the ship from leaving, going so far as to have FALSIFIED REPORTS written-up. I will post more details as they become available.
PLEASE do what you can to help Cynthia and the others as this is a very big media event to shine light on the crimes being committed in Gaza.
LINDSEY
http://fs04n3.sendspace.com/dl/cf56763e ... onGaza.mp3
I am not sure if this link will work for you, but this is the latest interview with Cynthia about the lies surrounding her situation and Israel's attempt to keep her from reaching Gaza. Folks, this is a HUGE deal and needs to be sent to everyone you know, just as the interviews and 911 information page.
LINDSEY
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1095621.html
Last update - 13:07 25/06/2009
Cyprus prevents activists from sailing to Gaza
By The Associated Press
Tags: Blockade, Israel News, Gaza
Cyprus' Merchant Shipping Department on Thursday prevented international activists from sailing for Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid in violation of the Israeli-led blockade of the Palestinian territory.
Department chief Sergios Sergiou said that a fishing boat and a small ferry that the Free Gaza Group were to use for the trip from Cyprus to Gaza had not undergone safety inspections which would take at least a few days to complete.
"It's a dangerous trip," Sergiou told the Associated Press. "The vessels must undergo a general inspection before they are allowed to go."
Advertisement
But Free Gaza Group spokesman Ramzi Kysia said that both vessels were allowed to sail from Cyprus during the group's previous attempts to reach Gaza.
The Free Gaza Group already has made five successful boat trips from Cyprus to Gaza since August 2008. Kysia said the fishing boat sailed to the Hamas-ruled territory in August last year. The ferry set sail in January this year during Israel's three-week offensive in Gaza, but had to turn back a few hours into the trip after encountering mechanical problems.
Sergiou could not explain why the vessels were previously allowed to leave Cyprus.
Free Gaza spokeswoman Greta Berlin said she was absolutely outraged, but that activists would not be deterred.
Around 32 people including a former U.S. congresswoman (<-- Cynthia McKinney NOT NAMED) and an Irish Nobel laureate were to sail to Gaza to deliver 3 tons of medical supplies and 15 tons of cement.
"We promised the people of Gaza we would come back and that we would not forget them," said Mairead Corrigan Maguire, who won the 1976 Nobel Peace Prize for her work with Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland.
Related articles:
# Israeli prof. joins 40 activists sailing to Gaza
# Israel fears European ship may sail to Gaza to 'break siege'
# Cyprus lets activists sail to Gaza, despite Israeli siege
http://www.mcw.gov.cy/mcw/dms/dms.nsf/c ... n?OpenForm
Ministry of Communications and Works
Department of Merchant Shipping
ADDRESS
Kyllinis Street, Mesa Geitonia
4007, Lemesos
Postal Address:
P.O. Box 56193
3305, Lemesos
Cyprus
TELEPHONE / EMAIL INFORMATION
Information / Telephone Operator
Telephone No.: +357 25 848100
Facsimile No.: +357 25 848200
Electronic Mail: maritimeadmin@dms.mcw.gov.cy
Emergency tel. numbers for reporting marine casualties / incidents
Department of Merchant Shipping:
Telephone No.: +357 99 645707
Facsimile No.: +357 25 305117
Rescue Coordination Centre:
Telephone No.: +357 24 304723 / +357 24 304737
Facsimile No.: +357 24 643254
Contact details for emergency security alerts
Telephone No.: +357 99 377988
Electronic Mail: SSAS@dms.mcw.gov.cy
Latest from the Reuters journalist who was SUPPOSED to have the scoop while with Cynthia and the rest of the crew:
"Cyprus UN Mission Ambassador e-mail address: mhadjimichael@cyprusun.org
this is what was sent:
Dear Mr. Ambassador-
I have been in touch with former US Rep. Cynthia McKinney, who is part of a mission to Gaza to deliver civilian relief aid. I am a reporter here in New York and have been covering the story. Her boat is currently being held in Cyprus and she asked me to forward the following to your office:
"Our voyage is being interfered with and ask that you contact the Cyprus Government and ask them why the Limasol authorities are purposely delaying us.
If we could get an explanation from the Cyprus Government or the Mission at the UN, then it would help explain to us why the normal procedures that allowed 5 runs of the Dignity and previous runs of the Spirit of Humanity and Free Gaza were not followed."
Rep. McKinney's email address and my contact information follows:"
This is the latest, and Ognir is conducting an interview VERY, VERY shortly with the scoop on all that is happening now.
LINDSEY
NB: I am not sure if the reporter was in New York or is the Reuters reporter who was SUPPOSED to run the full-story of what is and was happening, but that can be deal with later.LordLindsey
Elder
Posts: 334
Joined: Thu Apr 16, 2009 10:00 pm
Location: USA
Private messageE-mail
http://www.mfa.gov.cy/mfa/mfa2006.nsf/A ... enDocument
COUNCIL OF EUROPE
PERMANENT REPRESENTATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS TO THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE
Representation:
20, Avenue de la Paix
67000 Strasbourg
France
Tel. :+ 33 3 88249870, 88245221 (Res.)
Fax :+ 33 3 88369056
E-mail: strasbourgpr@mfa.gov.cy
Permanent Representative:
H.E. Mr. Euripides L. Evriviades
Office hours:
09:00 – 17:30
F.A.O.
PERMANENT REPRESENTATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS TO THE UNITED NATIONS AGENCIES FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
Representation:
Piazza Farnese, 44
Scala A, Int. 1
00186 Rome, Italy
Tel. :+ 39 06 6865758, 6865263
Fax :+ 39 06 68803756
E-mail: faoprcyp@tin.it
Permanent Representative:
H.E. Mr. George F. Poulides
Office hours:
09:00 – 17:00 (Mon. – Fr.)
I.M.O.
PERMANENT REPRESENTATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS TO THE INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANIZATION
Representation:
13 St James' Square
London SW1Y 4LBM
Tel.:+ 44 (0) 207 3214 100
Fax:+ 44 (0) 207 3214 165/164
E-mail: cyphclondon@dial.pipex.com
Permanent Representative:
H.E. Mr. Alexandros N. Zenon
O.S.C.E.
PERMANENT MISSION OF THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS TO THE ORGANIZATION ON SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE
Mission:
20, Parkring
A-1010 Vienna
Tel. :+ 431 5130630, 5130631, + 431 5130620 (Res.)
Fax :+ 431 5130632
E-mail: permanentmission@cyprus.osce.vienna.at
Permanent Representative:
H.E. Mr. Marios Lyssiotis
Office hours:
09:00 – 17:00
UNESCO
PERMANENT DELEGATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS TO UNESCO
Delegation:
23 Rue Galilée
75116 Paris, France
Tel: + 33 1 47208628,
Res. +331 47277110
Fax :+ 33 1 40701344
E-mail: paris@mfa.gov.cy
ambechypre@wanadoo.fr
Permanent Delegate:
H.E. Mr Pericles Nearchou
UNITED NATIONS-GENEVA
PERMANENT MISSION OF THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS TO THE UNITED NATIONS OFFICE AT GENEVA AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS IN SWITZERLAND AND THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION
Mission:
Rue du Grand-Pré, 66
1202 Geneva
Switzerland
Tel. :+ 41 22 7982150, 7885980
Fax :+ 41 22 7910084
E-mail: cyprus@cyprusmission.ch
Permanent Representative:
H.E. Mr Andreas Hadjichrysanthou
Office hours:
09:00 – 17:00
UNITED NATIONS-NEW YORK
PERMANENT MISSION OF THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS TO THE UNITED NATIONS ORGANIZATION IN NEW YORK
Mission:
13, East 40th Street
New York, N.Y. 10016
U.S.A.
Tel. :+ 1 212 4816023/24/25, 9802654, 9800788 (Res.)
Fax :+ 1 212 6857316, 9808076 (Res.)
E-mail: pmccyprus.un@verizon.net
Website: http://www.un.int/cyprus
Press Section:
Tel.: + 1 212 6866103
Fax: + 1 212 6895716
Email: cyprus@un.int
Permanent Representative:
H.E. Mr. Minas Α. Hadjimichael
Resident in New York
Also accredited to:
Grenada, Saint Lucia, Brazil
Office hours:
09:00 – 17:00
UNITED NATIONS-VIENNA
PERMANENT MISSION OF THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS TO THE UNITED NATIONS AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS IN VIENNA
Mission:
20, Parkring
A-1010 Vienna
Tel. :+ 43 1 5130630, 5130631, + 43 1 5130620 (Res.)
Fax :+ 43 1 5130632
E-mail: permanentmission@cyprus.un.vienna.at
Permanent Representative:
H.E. Mr. Marios Lyssiotis
Office hours:
09:00 – 17:00
ORGANISATION INTERNATIONALE DE LA FRANCOPHONIE (O.I.F)
BUREAU DU REPRESENTANT PERSONNEL DU PRESIDENT DE LA REPUBLIQUE DE CHYPRE
AU CONSEIL PERMANENT DE LA FRANCOPHONIE
Ministère des affaires étrangères
CY 1447 Nicosie, Chypre
Tel.: + 357 22 401174
Fax: + 357 22 661881
E-mail: ghadjicosti@mfa.gov.cy
Adresse postale:
12, rue Parthenonos
2101, Aglantzia
Nicosie, Chypre
Tel.: +357 99 467723
Fax: +357 22 333850
E-mail: timotheou.ch@cytanet.com.cy
Représentant personnel du Président de la République au Conseil permanent de la Francophonie:
Mr. Charalambos Timotheou
This is Cynthia's latest on the situation:
"The Israelis are hopping mad. And they're flexing their muscles in all the ugly places. They can't ram us again without sparking an international uproar, so they're trying to stop us from leaving the port at all. The Limasol, Cyprus Port Authority which controls the port of Larnaca also, sent their inspector to Larnaca with a letter saying that the boat failed inspection, only thing, the letter was written BEFORE he even arrived in Larnaca to do the inspection! Reuters is doing the story at this very moment saying that we were prevented from leaving due to Cypriot authorities. We just learned from a Cyprus government source that pressure is being applied by Israel to deny us departure credentials. It appears, then, that Israel is putting us into contortions because they don't want us to take cement into Gaza. After white phosphorus, depleted uranium, DIME, cluster bombs, F16s, death, destruction, and mayhem. All of *this* over a few bags of cement. Can you believe???
1. Read the Haaretz article here, showing Israeli concern about us taking cement to Gaza
2. Hear the interview with Don Debar on the contortions we're being put through by Cyprus Port Authority
3. Read the Reuters article here (interesting that the story broke in Israel and not Cyprus!!)
4. Individuals have already started to contact the Cyprus UN Mission and their DC Embassy to inquire why they are arbitrarily not allowing the Spirit of Humanity and the Free Gaza to set sail.
1. Here is the Ha'aretz article:
Last update - 17:00 18/06/2009
Activists plan to send Gaza cement, in violation of Israel blockade
By Reuters and Haaretz Service
Activists campaigning for an end to Gaza's blockade by Israel will sail to the Hamas-run enclave from Cyprus despite the presence of the Israeli navy, they said on Thursday.
Two boats, including one carrying cement and building supplies -- materials not permitted in by Israel over fears that they could be used for military purposes -- will sail from Cyprus on June 25, the multi-national Free Gaza Movement said.
"We are taking 15 tons of cement, which is just a token of how much the Palestinians need, because the Israelis won't allow building supplies into Gaza," said Greta Berlin, a representative of the group.
The group started regular shuttles to Gaza from Cyprus in August 2008, but was turned back by the Israeli navy on its last journey in mid-January of this year.
Israel tightened a blockade on Gaza in 2007 after the Islamist Hamas took control of the enclave, a strip of land that is home to 1.5 million people.
Israeli forces bombed and then invaded Gaza in late December 2008 in a bid to rout out militants lobbing rockets into Israel, badly battering its already decrepit infrastructure.
Related articles:
U.S. ups pressure on Israel to end Gaza blockade
Ex-president Carter urges Obama to remove Hamas from U.S. terror list
2. Hear Greta Berlin and I explain what is happening with the purposeful delay of our departure
http://www.livestream.com/wbaix
3. Read the Reuters article:
12:54 25Jun09 -Cyprus halts aid boats bound for Gaza Strip
LARNACA, Cyprus, June 25 (Reuters) - Cyprus stopped two
boats planning to carry aid to the Gaza Strip in defiance of an
Israeli blockade from leaving port on Thursday, officials said.
The U.S.-based Free Gaza Movement had been planning to take
33 activists to Gaza with medical supplies and cement, a
material that Israel does not allow into the Palestinian
territory devastated by a short war that ended early this year.
The Free Gaza Movement started sending regular aid voyages
from Cyprus to Gaza in August 2008, but one of its boats was
involved in a collision with an Israeli vessel in December, and
was turned back on another mission in January.
Cypriot shipping officials cited inspection requirements for
stopping the two vessels, a small ferry and a sailing boat, from
leaving port two hours before their scheduled departure.
Both vessels had travelled to Gaza before.
"One of the ships was only recently registered in Cyprus and
under Cyprus law it has to undergo inspection before being given
permission to sail," said Serghios Serghiou, head of Cyprus's
Department of Merchant Shipping. "(The second) ... did not apply
for any inspections before sailing."
Israel tightened a blockade on Gaza in 2007 after the
Islamist group Hamas took control of the enclave, a tiny sliver
of territory home to some 1.5 million people.
Israel bans imports of cement, steel or other building
supplies to Gaza, saying militants could use them for military
purposes. One of the vessels was to carry 15 tonnes of cement.
Israeli forces bombed then invaded Gaza in late December
2008 with a declared aim of ending cross-border rocket attacks
from the Hamas-ruled territory.
The war damaged infrastructure and hurt an economy already
hobbled by years of isolation.
(Writing by Michele Kambas, editing by Lin Noueihed)
((michele.kambas@thomsonreuters.com; 357 22469607; Reuters
messaging michele.kambas.reuters.com@reuters.net))
Keywords: PALESTINIANS ISRAEL/ACTIVISTS
Thursday, 25 June 2009 12:54:02
RTRS [nLO676773 ] {C}
ENDS
We are determined to depart, if not today, then tomorrow."
LINDSEY
