Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03THEHAGUE2715
2003-10-29 06:36:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy The Hague
Cable title:  

COUNTRY CLEARANCE: U.S. DELEGATION TO BOSNIA WAR

Tags:  OTRA NL BK 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 THE HAGUE 002715 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OTRA NL BK
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE: U.S. DELEGATION TO BOSNIA WAR
CRIMES COURT DONORS CONFERENCE

REF: SECSTATE 299243

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 THE HAGUE 002715

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OTRA NL BK
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE: U.S. DELEGATION TO BOSNIA WAR
CRIMES COURT DONORS CONFERENCE

REF: SECSTATE 299243


1. (U) SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. PROTECT ACCORDINGLY.


2. (U) Post warmly welcomes and grants country clearance to
the U.S. Delegation attending the October 30, 2003 donors
conference for the Bosnia War Crimes court. This delegation
includes Ambassador at Large for War Crimes Pierre-Richard
Prosper, Director of SEED Assistance Programs for Southeast
Europe James M. Roberts, EUR/SCE Deputy Director for Bosnia
Raffi Gregorian, Human Rights/Rule of Law Officer for
Southeast Europe Jennifer Mitchell, Embassy Sarajevo Rule of
Law Officer Richard Prosen, and Rajika Shah of S/WCI.


3. (U) Control Officer for this visit will be Legal
Counselor Clifton M. Johnson, who may be reached at (31) (70)
310 9378 (Office) or (31) (70) 517 8861 (Home) or (31) 61 280
8049 (Mobile). Reservations for two nights, arriving October
29, 2003, (or three nights, in the case of Ms. Shah) have
been made in the names of Mr. J. Roberts, Mr. R. Gergorian,
Ms. J. Mitchell and Mr. R. Prosen at the following hotel:

Sofitel Den Haag
Koningin Julianaplein 35
2595 AA The Hague
Phone: (31) (70) 347 1827
Fax: (31) (70) 382 5927

The hotel is easily accessible from Schipol Airport via train
to Den Haag Centraal (to which the hotel is adjacent) or via
taxi. Room rate is Euro 115.00 per night, plus mandatory
city tax of Euro 4.32 per person per night. Breakfast is
available for Euro 18.50 per person.


4. (SBU) POST ACCESS: Visitors who need unescorted access
into secure areas of the Mission must provide proof of at
least a secret clearance. Requesting cable did include such
information for all but one traveler, who we understand will
be forwarding clearance and itinerary in a septel, and
appropriate access requests will be completed prior to the
group's arrival.


5. (SBU) COMPUTER and ELECTRONICS USAGE: 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. Travelers who anticipate having special
needs in terms of either access or computer usage should
contact the RSO office before arriving at post.


6. (SBU) SECURITY ADVISORY: 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.

-- (SBU) 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 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.

-- (U) 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.

-- (U) 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 crime.


7. (SBU) Rate of Exchange on October 23, 2003: $1 = Euro
0.847
SOBEL