EMBASSY THE HAGUE WELCOMES ANDREW SCHOFER AND

UNCLAS THE HAGUE 001699

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: NL OTRA PREL
SUBJECT: EMBASSY THE HAGUE WELCOMES ANDREW SCHOFER AND
KAREN ENSTROM JULY 13-17

REF: A. MOSCOW 10251

B. LITTLE-SCHOFER EMAILS

C. DALY-SCHOFER EMAILS


1. (U) Embassy the Hague welcomes Andrew Schofer and Karen
Enstrom and grants Country Clearance for travel to The
Netherlands July 13 - July 17 2003.


2. (U) Embassy is arranging meetings and hotel reservations
per ref B and C.


SECURITY ADVISORY:


3. (U) Post provides the following threat assessment for The
Netherlands: The Department of State on April 21, 2003 issued
a worldwide caution to alert Americans of the need to remain
vigilant. The Department of State reminds Americans that
tensions remaining from the recent events in Iraq may
increase the potential threat to U.S. citizens and interests
abroad, including by terrorist groups. Terrorist actions may
include, but are not limited to: suicide operations, bombings
or kidnappings. Possible threats include conventional
weapons such as explosive devices or non-conventional
weapons, including chemical or biological agents. Terrorists
do not distinguish between official and civilian targets.
These may include facilities where American citizens and
other foreigners congregate or visit, such as residential
areas, clubs restaurants, places of worship, schools, hotels,
outdoor recreation events or resorts and beaches. If
facilities cannot be avoided, U.S. citizens should increase
their security awareness at such locations. Please consult
the Department's web site for text: http://travel.state.gov.
In light of this caution all visitors to The Netherlands are
encouraged to assess their security posture and be alert to
their surroundings for possible surveillance. All visitors
should exercise caution while traveling abroad, as U.S.
citizens and facilities are often the target of groups
demonstrating opposition to U.S. foreign policy.


4. (U) A major concern for visitors is crime. Most crimes
against official Americans are limited to pick-pocketing and
luggage theft. However, burglary, vandalism to automobiles,
and theft from hotel rooms are not unknown. Recently, theft
of laptop computers has increased, especially at Schiphol
airport and major train stations. The thieves operate in
small groups, are determined and well practiced at
distraction theft. Several official travelers have been
victimized lately, losing personal and unclassified
government computers, valuable software and data.
Regulations require the use of the diplomatic pouch for
shipment of classified equipment and information.


5. (U) Streets can be walked in relative safety, but as in
any U.S. urban city, the same amount of caution should be
exercised after dark in the more populated cities of The
Hague, Amsterdam, and Rotterdam. Red-light districts and
public transportation hubs are common locations for incidents
of street crime.

SOBEL