CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION (CWC): COUNTRY

UNCLAS THE HAGUE 003121

SIPDIS

STATE FOR AC/CB

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: NL ASEC OTRA PARM
SUBJECT: CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION (CWC): COUNTRY
CLEARANCE FOR RON NELSON

REF: SECSTATE 342709

This is CWC-136-03.


1. Del grants country clearance to the following individual
traveling to The Hague as a consultant on national
implementation measures to the OPCW Technical Secretariat:

-- Ron Nelson
-- State
-- Arrive: Jan 3, 2004
-- Depart: April 3, 2004

Del confirms hotel reservations at the Dorint, Johan de
Wittlaan 42-44, phone: (070) 416-9111, fax: (070) 416-9100.


2. (U) Visitors who need unescorted access into secure
areas of the Mission must provide proof of at least a secret
clearance.


3. (U) 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.


4. (SBU) Post provides the following threat assessment for
The Netherlands: The Department of State on November 21, 2003
issued a worldwide caution. 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. We are seeing
increasing indications that Al-Quaida is preparing to strike
U.S. interests abroad. Al-Quaida and its associated
organizations have struck in the Middle East in Riyadh, Saudi
Arabia and in Europe in Istanbul, Turkey. We therefore
assess that other geographic locations could be venues for
the next round of attacks. We expect Al-Quaida will strive
for new attacks designed to be more devastating than the
September 11 attack, possibly involving non-conventional
weapons such as chemical or biological agents. We also
cannot rule out that Al-Quaida will attempt a second
catastrophic attack within the U.S.


5. (SBU) Terrorist actions may include, but are not limited
to, suicide operations, hijackings, bombings or kidnappings.
These may also involve commercial aircraft and maritime
interests, and threats to include conventional weapons, such
as explosive devices 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.


6. (U) A concern for visitors is crime. Most crimes
against official Americans are limited to pick-pocketing and
luggage theft. Theft from automobiles and hotel rooms is 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.


7. (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 street crime.


8. (U) Ito sends.
SOBEL