NASA (KSC) DELEGATION COUNTRY CLEARANCE TO

UNCLAS THE HAGUE 001658

SIPDIS

NASA/ID DPLENTY

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TSPA OTRA ASEC NL
SUBJECT: NASA (KSC) DELEGATION COUNTRY CLEARANCE TO
NOORDWIJK, THE NETHERLANDS, JULY 28 THRU 31, 2004

REF: SECSTATE 142464


1. Country clearance is granted for the following NASA (KSC)
Delegaton to travel July 28-31, 2004, to Noordwijk,
Netherlands:

Glenn Chin
Steven Cain


2. Embassy understands that no assistance is requested.

POST ACCESS:


3. Visitors who need unescorted access into secure areas of
the Mission must provide proof of at least a secret
clearance. If level of clearance was not provided in the
original country clearance request it should be done by
separate cable. The cable should include SSN, and the name
of the agency granting the security 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
before arriving at post.

SECURITY ADVISORY:


6. Post provides the following threat assessment for The
Netherlands: The Department of State on March 23, 2004 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-Qaida is preparing to strike U.S.
interests abroad. Al-Qaida and its associated organizations
have struck in the Middle East in Rijadh, 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-Qaida 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-Qaida
will attempt a second catastrophic attack within the U.S.


7. 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. Terrorists do not distinguish between
official and civilian targets. These may include facilities
where U.S. 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.



8. 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 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. They
are determined and well practiced at distraction theft.
Several official travelers have been victimized losing
personal or 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