LETTER TO RICHARD W. BOEHM FROM (SANITIZED)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP88-00733R000200250091-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 17, 2010
• Sequence Number: 91
• Publication Date: October 1, 1985
• Content Type: LETTER

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/11/17: CIA-RDP88-00733R000200250091-6
FOREIGN BROADCAST INFORMATION SP,.RVICE
P. O. Box 2604
Washington, D. C. 20013
M-IQ-5108
1 October 1985
The Honorable Richard W. Boehm
American Ambassador
Nicosia, Cyprus
Dear Mr. Ambassador:
This is to bring you up to date on our thinking since my last letter
of 25 February.
An extensive study of television broadcasting plans in West Europe
was conducted by Ford Aerospace Company to help us determine the best
possible site for the major satellite monitoring facility we are
projecting. We have now reached the conclusion that such a site should
be in West Europe itself, probably a NATO country, because of the
conversion of West European broadcasters to "K" band television beaming.
Thus the large antennas that we were originally thinking of installing in
Cyprus--probably in conjunction with CYTA facilities--will instead be
located in West Europe. This should make things a lot easier with regard
to our Cyprus situation.
In lieu of the large satellite monitoring facility in Cyprus, we are
now thinking of a small dish--probably 4.6 meters in diameter--which
would be situated in conjunction with our new Nicosia operations
building. This dish will monitor Arabsat--the Arab world satellite
transmissions--with the signals being translated by our present Arab
staff in Nicosia. You will recall that one of CYTA's concerns about FBIS
establishing a monitoring dish on CYTA territory was the legal question
of whether CYTA could allow monitoring of satellites on their territory
without licensing agreements. I believe our decision solves this
problem. A small dish on the FBIS grounds, as an annex of the embassy,
makes the legal question moot. It's merely another FBIS antenna, on U.S.
Government property.
As for "INTERNET," our projected wideband communications channel
linking major bureaus with Washington, I don't see our Nicosia Bureau
being on that system for quite a few years. If and when we want to be
able to transmit over INTERNET from Cyprus, we could sign an agreement
with CYTA. Inasmuch as telecommunications is the primary business of
CYTA, there should not he anv I problems, nor complaints from the
Government of Cyprus. deputy director of FBIS, will be
visiting Cyprus in the near future and can explain our "INTERNET"
planning further.
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C U C~ { ~~ ~T~~` T11 ft JL
The Honorable Richard W. Boehm
It may be that you would want to notify the Cyprus Government
informally that we will have a small dish antenna at the new FBIS site,
stressing that it is simply an extension of our pres 7 stem.
If you need further information on this I am certai can
help.
In the meantime, in regard to the Government of Cyprus' tentative
probes about increasing the amount of the U.S. honorarium paid to Cyprus,
I suggest we wait for them to propose something seriously. It is not
totally clear to me what they mean by their view that FBIS is being given
increased support. If we get around to negotiating an increased
honorarium, I would think we will want to specify a list of new things,
perhaps a higher limit on the number of people, local security support,
or other things that might occur to you.
Thank you for your letter of 19 March. If I can help further,
please let me know.
Sincerely,
cc: Chief, Nicosia Bureau
JDChandlee:nl
Distribution:
Orig - Addressee
1 - C/Nicosia Bureau
2 - C/Ops
1 - D/FBIS Chrono
1 Corres file
1 - Nicosia i e
1 - MHQ file
1 - FBIS Registry
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~r N!71 P!
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/11/17: CIA-RDP88-00733R000200250091-6
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/11/17: CIA-RDP88-00733R000200250091-6
FOREIGN BROADCAST INFORMATION SERVICE
P. O. Box 2604
Washington, D. C. 20013
25 February 1985
Ambassador Richard W. Boehm
United States Embassy
Nicosia, Cyprus
Dear W. Ambassador:
Thank you very much for taking the time to talk with us during my
visit to Cyprus. I consider the improvement of our situations in
Nicosia, Amman, and Tel Aviv among the highest FBIS priorities at this
time.
We have carefully considered your view that "Site C" would be more
advantageous from a security viewpoint than "Site D." However, in weighing
all the pro's and con's we believe that the greater area provides an
equally good advantage for "Site D" and will, in addition, provide opera-
tional and structural advantages. I am told that use of "Site C" would
involve removal of the soft top soil and the building of retaining walls,
and that equal security advantage can be gained by using protective walls
around the greater area that comprises "Site D." "Site D" will also give
us the possibility of auxiliary buildings and greater antenna area. We
will construct secondary protective walls, berms, and earth mounds against
the exterior walls. We will also have windows only on the interior,
facing the atrium.
will coordinate closely with the Embassy as we plan our
building and the new site. I feel confident the new installation will
improve our situation from all points of view compared to our present
location.
Please feel free to let me know of any concerns you may have as we
progress.
Sincerely,
cc: Chief, Nicosia Bureau, FBIS
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EMBASSY OF THE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Nicosia
March 19, 1985
Director
Foreign Broadcast Information Service
P.O. Box 2604
Washington, D.C. 20013
Thank you for your letter of February 25, 1985. I
appreciate your having reexamined the question of FBIS
sites on the basis of our conversation during your
recent visit here. Since the technical considerations
seemed to weigh heavily in favor of Site D, I am happy
to accept FBIS' decision. I look forward to seeing the
architect's design whenever it is ready, and suggest it
be made available to me at the earliest possible moment
so that any suggestions the Embassy might have will not
be unnecessarily disruptive.
Again, thanks for your letter. It was a pleasure to
see you here, and I look forward to further personal
contacts in the future.
Sincerely,
Richard W. Boehm
Ambassador
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/11/17: CIA-RDP88-00733R000200250091-6