U.S. diplomat missing in Cyprus

[Disco_Destroyer]

U.S. diplomat missing in Cyprus



www.chinaview.cn 2007-07-02 06:38:23

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File photo of Thomas Mooney (Xinhua Photo)


NICOSIA, July 1 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. embassy in Cyprus on Sunday asked for public assistance to find one of its senior diplomats who has gone missing for two days.

The embassy posted an "important announcement" on its website, saying "one of our embassy employees, Thomas Mooney, has not been in touch with the embassy for more than 48 hours."

According to foreign diplomats' list offered by Cypriot foreign ministry, Thomas Mooney is defense attache and army attache in the U.S. embassy. He has the rank of lieutenant-colonel.

The U.S. embassy appeals to the public that "anyone with information which might be helpful in locating him should contact the local police station."

Cyprus is considered to be a safe country with one of the lowest crime rates in Europe. Attacks on foreign diplomats are rare.



http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-07/02/content_6315857.htm

[Mark Gobell]

Cyprus police find U.S. diplomat dead

Mon Jul 2, 2007 9:49AM EDT

NICOSIA (Reuters) - The United States military attache in Cyprus was found dead on Monday, four days after he disappeared, the American embassy said.

The body of Lt. Colonel Thomas Mooney, 45, was found near his parked car in a remote mountainous region north-west of the island's capital, Nicosia.

Local media reported that foul play appeared to have been ruled out, but a police spokeswoman said the cause of death would be determined by a post mortem scheduled for later on Monday.

"With deep sadness, I announce that Thomas Mooney, who served his nation with distinction as our Defense Attache, was found dead by Cypriot authorities on Monday," U.S. ambassador Ronald Schlicher said in an announcement on the embassy website.

Mooney, whom fellow diplomats described as a "straight up military type", was last seen leaving the embassy compound on Thursday afternoon.

His body was found some yards away from his car which was parked on a dirt track. He was believed to have been dead for several days.

Mooney arrived in Cyprus on June 2006 for what was his second tour of duty on the island in the past five years. He lived in Cyprus on his own.

The American embassy cancelled an Independence Day reception scheduled for Monday evening.

"He just came across as a highly disciplined American official doing his job," one diplomat said.

http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSL0238149020070702

[Disco_Destroyer]

Hmm Strange? what was he about if anything?