TRAVEL CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR FAA PERSONNEL E.O.

UNCLAS THE HAGUE 002033 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAIR OTRA NL SUBJECT: TRAVEL CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR FAA PERSONNEL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAIR OTRA NL NORTHWEST AIRLINES CERTIFICATE REF: DES PLAINE 130414Z ¶1. Country clearance is granted for Joseph Eugene Masini for travel to the Netherlands August 17 - August 23, 2003. ¶2. Embassy understands that no assistance is requested. Please note that the country clearance request cable was not received in Amsterdam Consulate or Embassy The Hague. Please send all country clearances to The Hague and not Amsterdam. POST ACCESS: ¶3. Visitors who need unescorted access into secure areas of the Mission must include the fact that he/she has at least a secret level clearance in the country clearance request. The SIPDIS cable should include SSN, and the name of the agency granting the clearance. Cables MUST include the ASEC Tag to ensure distribution to the RSO Office. COMPUTER and ELECTRONICS USAGE: ¶4. Inter-agency security standards prohibit the introduction or use of non-USG owned computer hardware and software at all USG diplomatic facilities. Cell phones, palm pilots, radios and other convenience electronics are prohibited in all secure areas of the Mission. ¶5. Travelers who anticipate having special needs in terms of either access or computer usage should contact the RSO Office. SECURITY ADVISORY: ¶6. Post provides the following threat assessment for The Netherlands: The Department of State on July 29, 2003 issued a worldwide caution to alert Americans of the need to remain vigilant. The Department of State reminds U.S. citizens of the continuing threat of terrorist actions that may target U.S. citizens and to update these potential threats. The U.S. Government remains deeply concerned about the security of U.S. citizens overseas. U.S. citizens are cautioned to maintain a high level of vigilance, to remain alert and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness. ¶7. Tensions remaining from the recent events in Iraq may increase the potential threat to U.S. citizens and interests abroad, by terrorist and other groups. Terrorist actions may include, but are not limited to, suicide operations, hijackings, bombings or kidnappings. These may also involve commercial aircraft. Other potential threats include conventional weapons, such as explosive devices, or non-conventional weapons, such as 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, including residential areas, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools, hotels, outdoor recreation events or resorts and beaches. U.S. citizens should remain in a heightened state of personal security awareness when attendance at such locations is unavoidable. 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 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. ¶8. A concern for visitors is crime. Most crimes against official Americans are limited to pick-pocketing and luggage theft. Vandalism to and theft from automobiles and 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 that target travelers, 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. Travelers are reminded regulations require the use of the diplomatic pouch for shipment of classified equipment and information. ¶9. Streets can be walked in relative safety, but as in any U.S. urban area, 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