THE US Vice President arrived in Air Force Two, a military passenger transportation version of the Boeing 757 for the United States Air Force that is used by the Vice President. According to state broadcaster CyBC, Biden was escorted by a staff of 400. A second aeroplane landed shortly after Air Force Two.
Three US Air Force aircraft had previously landed in the airport with vehicles, equipment and security personnel.
The VP and his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, were first greeted by a girl dressed in traditional Cypriot dress and were given a bouquet of flowers.
Foreign Affairs Minister Ioannis Kasoulides, US Ambassador to Cyprus John Koening and Chief of Protocol, Ambassador Nearchos Palas, were the first to welcome the couple to Cyprus.
The security measures taken were unprecedented. Air traffic was shut down for around an hour until the VP’s airplane could approach Larnaca and land while Cypriot police officers were deployed all over the airport and the surrounding area.
Among the VP’s escort were nine other vehicles, including an ambulance, a mobile communications centre and a cyber warfare command centre.
The hotel the VP is staying in Limassol has been blocked off by land, sea and air, as snipers patrol its roof and nearby buildings, police boats are deployed in the area continuously, while police helicopters monitor air traffic. A helicopter will be escorting the Vice President’s limousine for the duration of his visit.
Biden’s guard also brought with them a team of bomb-sniffer dogs.
Three armoured limousines were brought to the front of the airport to take the VP for an informal meeting with Nicos Anastasiades in the President’s home. The meeting was not part of the VP’s itinerary and was decided on the last minute. Following the Anastasiades’s meeting, Biden was taken to his hotel in Limassol.
Security planning decided on Limassol instead of Nicosia – as with every state official visit – because of the Cup final match between APOEL and Ermis Aradhippou. Police were concerned that APOEL fan celebrations could pose a security risk, since their club is right next to the Hilton hotel, were foreign dignitaries are usually accommodated.
Police spokesman Andreas Angelides apologised to the public in advance for the roads closing on Thursday to facilitate the US Vice President. He said that 150 police officers will be deployed to monitor traffic and asked the public to comply with police instructions. Angelides was asked to say which streets will be closed but declined to reveal the vice-president’s route.
Biden will have a full day on Thursday, since he is expected to meet again with President Anastasiades at the presidential palace, then meet with Archbishop Chrysostomos and religious leaders, have lunch with party leaders and finally meet with Turkish Cypriot community leader Dervis Eroglu.
Cyprus Mail