UNCLAS ROME 003774

SIPDIS


OSD FOR HOEHN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PARM PREL NATO GLOBAL DEFENSE
SUBJECT: CONSULTATIONS ON GLOBAL DEFENSE POSTURE REVIEW:
COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR A/S BLOOMFIELD AND DELEGATION

REF: SECSTATE 207467


1. Embassy Rome welcomes and grants country clearance for
Assistant Secretary of State for Political Affairs
Bloomfield, and delegation to visit Rome from October 5-6,

2004. To secure hotel accommodations, please provide fiscal
data for charge purposes or credit card information for each
individual immediately. Hotel rooms cannot be held without
this information.


2. Embassy Control Officer is Political-Military Counselor
Jonathan Cohen, office phone: 39-06-4674-2840, office fax:
39-06-4674-2623, home phone: 39-06-4674-2039, cell phone:
39-335-848-4726. The Embassy switchboard number is
39-06-4674-1.


3. Please notify control officer if your travel plans change.
Travelers are responsible for paying their hotel bill,
including room and incidental expenses, upon checking out.


4. Delegation will be met at the airport by control officer.


5. FISCAL DATA: IN ACCORDANCE WITH DEPARTMENT OF STATE
POLICY, POST WILL DIRECT CHARGE EACH AGENCY, ORGANIZATION OR
VISITING DELEGATION FOR THE ACTUAL COSTS ATTRIBUTED TO ITS
VISIT. THESE COSTS INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, AMERICAN
AND LOCALLY ENGAGED STAFF OVERTIME; FIELD TRAVEL BY EMBASSY
EMPLOYEES; TRANSPORTATION COSTS FOR OFFICIAL VEHICLES; RENTAL
OF VEHICLES, CELLULAR PHONES, AND OFFICE EQUIPMENT; CHARGES
FOR CONTROL ROOMS AND OFFICE SPACE; AND THE COST FOR
REPRESENTATIONAL EVENTS. ALL/ALL VISITORS USING
ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES MUST PROVIDE THE EMBASSY WITH
AUTHORIZATION AND FISCAL DATA (E.G., TRAVEL ORDERS) AGAINST
WHICH THE COSTS FOR REQUESTED ITEMS CAN BE CHARGED. THIS
INFORMATION SHOULD BE CABLED OR FAXED TO THE EMBASSY IN
ADVANCE OF YOUR ARRIVAL. PLEASE NOTE THAT WITHOUT A FUND
CITE AND AUTHORIZATION, POST WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PROVIDE
VEHICLES, DRIVERS, OR OTHER SERVICES.


6. Money Exchange: The unit of currency throughout Italy is
the Euro. Dollars or travelers checks can be legally
exchanged for Euros at local exchange offices, hotels and the
airport. A bank, which is located in the Embassy, can cash
checks for dollars or Euros. Most major credit cards are
accepted throughout Italy. ATM machines, including one in

the Embassy, will accept many U.S. Bank cards.


7. Visa Requirements:Italian visas are not required
for TDY'ers holding diplomatic, official or tourist passports.


8. If Holy See (Vatican) related appointments are
anticipated, please contact the Embassy Vatican directly via
cable or by calling the Executive Office at(39)06-4674-3428.


9. For further information regarding travel in Italy, consult:
-- the Department of State's Consular Information Sheet
http://www.travel.state.gov/italy.html
-- Embassy Rome's Internet site on travel in Italy
http://www.usembassy.it/usa/


10. Threat/Security Assessment:

Due to many factors, among them American military
participation with NATO in the Balkans, the presence of
U.S. troops in Italy, the terrorist attacks in the U.S.
on September 11th and U.S. military actions in
Afghanistan, American diplomatic facilities in Italy
operate under a state of heightened security.

During the G-8 summit in Genoa in July 2001, certain
factions of the anti-globalization groups orchestrated
violent demonstrations at the summit. There is a
concern that these same groups may use demonstrations
against U.S. military actions in Afghanistan as a reason
to target U.S. Government facilities and businesses in
Italy. The bombings in Rome and Turin last year, and
the more recent discovery of an improvised explosive
device near Consulate General Florence, may indicate
there is strong opposition to political and economic
globalization policy.

The violent Red Brigade units that flourished in Italy
during the late seventies had been thought to be mostly
finished as a group with neither the ability or the


followers necessary to conduct a major terrorist act.
However, on May 20, 1999, a group identifying itself as
the Red Brigade claimed responsibility for the
professionally executed assassination of a key advisor
to the Italian Minister of Labor. The Italian police
believe that the Nuclei Territoriali Antimperialisti
(NTA) carried out the assassination. A group known as
the Autonomists have, in the past, claimed
responsibility for firebombs or Molotov cocktails thrown
at buildings or offices in the middle of the night,
apparently in an effort to avoid human injury. Members
are mostly radical students and disruptive youths.

The security environment is closely monitored and
updated assessments are issued as warranted. Travelers
should maintain a low profile; stay alert for unusual
activity, for example surveillance; and avoid
repetitious patterns and habits, i.e., vary routes and
times of departures and arrivals. Visitors to U.S.
diplomatic and military facilities should be aware that
increased security measures are in effect at these
locations. While there is presently no information
available that indicates targeting of a specific
individual, all visitors and resident USG personnel are
encouraged to maintain a heightened state of security
awareness. Unusual or suspicious incidents should be
reported immediately to the RSO.

Street crime occurs frequently in the large cities and
at tourist locations. Visitors are warned to safeguard
their valuables at all times, especially while walking
along streets and when using public transportation.
Extra care should be taken while in crowded tourist
areas. Pickpocketing and purse snatching occur
regularly. Pickpockets usually work in teams and target
tourists. They are efficient and thorough. Traveling
on the Autostrada throughout Italy can be hazardous.
Rest stops are often hangouts for thieves.

Privately owned laptops and personal computers are
prohibited in all classified facilities. Cellular
telephones and palm pilots are not permitted in CAA
areas. Travelers with USG owned unclassified laptop or
notebook computers, peripherals, diskettes and tapes
must obtain RSO/IMO authorization for access. USG owned
classified computers must arrive at post via classified
diplomatic pouch. Questions concerning other types of
electronic devices and magnetic media should be directed
to the IMO or RSO.


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2004ROME03774 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED