Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04THEHAGUE421
2004-02-19 11:13:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy The Hague
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS THE HAGUE 000421
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: NL OREP AMGT ASEC AFIN
SUBJECT: CODEL WEXLER FEB 22 - 24
REF: SECSTATE 35536
UNCLAS THE HAGUE 000421
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: NL OREP AMGT ASEC AFIN
SUBJECT: CODEL WEXLER FEB 22 - 24
REF: SECSTATE 35536
1. Country Clearance is granted and AmEmbassy the Hague
warmly welcomes Rep. Robert Wexler, Rep. Steve Chabot and
Jonathan Katz to The Netherlands February 22-24,2004.
2. Kami Witmer will be the Control Officer. She can be
reached at the following numbers/addresses: Tel: (W)
31-70-310-9339, (H) 31-70-354-0639, (M) 31-65-172-4767. Fax:
(W) 31-70-310-9348. Email: (W) witmerka@state.gov; (H)
kwit88@hotmail.com. Please note: When dialing telephone/fax
numbers within the Netherlands, replace country code 31 with
a zero.
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 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 November 21, 2003
issued a worldwide caution. The U.S. Government remains
deeply concerned about the 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.
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.
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.
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
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: NL OREP AMGT ASEC AFIN
SUBJECT: CODEL WEXLER FEB 22 - 24
REF: SECSTATE 35536
1. Country Clearance is granted and AmEmbassy the Hague
warmly welcomes Rep. Robert Wexler, Rep. Steve Chabot and
Jonathan Katz to The Netherlands February 22-24,2004.
2. Kami Witmer will be the Control Officer. She can be
reached at the following numbers/addresses: Tel: (W)
31-70-310-9339, (H) 31-70-354-0639, (M) 31-65-172-4767. Fax:
(W) 31-70-310-9348. Email: (W) witmerka@state.gov; (H)
kwit88@hotmail.com. Please note: When dialing telephone/fax
numbers within the Netherlands, replace country code 31 with
a zero.
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 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 November 21, 2003
issued a worldwide caution. The U.S. Government remains
deeply concerned about the 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.
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.
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.
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