Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05ATHENS41
2005-01-04 13:31:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Athens
Cable title:  

COUNTRY CLEARANCE AND THREAT ASSESSMENT

Tags:  OTRA EAGR GR CTRYCLR 
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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 03 ATHENS 000041 

SIPDIS

STATE FOR USDA/NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION
SERVICE/INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS DIVISION

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OTRA EAGR GR CTRYCLR
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE AND THREAT ASSESSMENT
FOR GERALD GUALA

REF: PER FAX DTD 12/21

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ATHENS 000041

SIPDIS

STATE FOR USDA/NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION
SERVICE/INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS DIVISION

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OTRA EAGR GR CTRYCLR
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE AND THREAT ASSESSMENT
FOR GERALD GUALA

REF: PER FAX DTD 12/21


1. Embassy warmly welcomes and grants country clearance for
the visit of Mr. Gerald Guala, Botanist, Baton Rouge,
Louisiana, to attend the global biodiversity information
facility workshop in Chania from January 19 through 22, 2005


2. Per reftel no Embassy assistance requested.


3. Pursuant to State 66580 dated March 25, 2004, country
clearance for any person on TDY for 30 days or more is
granted contingent on completion of the mandatory personal
security training. The Department of State's Foreign
Service Institute (FSI) conducts the approved minimum four-
day training class, "Serving Abroad for Families & Employees
(S.A.F.E.)." This is the same course required for employees
and highly recommended for their eligible family members
over the age of 18.


4. It is important that all visitors carefully read the
information and instructions provided below. Post wants to
ensure the best possible service to all official visitors
and will work closely to arrange details of each visit.


5. Early morning check-in: For those coming from
Washington, D.C., often on the early morning Delta flight
arriving at 1005, please note there is no guarantee of early
check-in at the hotel. Normal check-in time is 1400.
Although post can request early check-in for travelers, the
only way to guarantee a room waiting is to reserve it for
the preceding night. Travelers who wish to book the
previous night must request post to make this reservation.
The traveler is responsible for this expense. Travelers
should be prepared to go from the airport directly to the
office/meetings if they have not paid for a room the night
before. The Embassy has a cafeteria that serves breakfast
and lunch.


6. Arrivals: We expect to be able to provide
transportation for official visitors at the Deputy Assistant
Secretary level and above upon arrival at the airport.

SIPDIS
Other visitors should plan to use taxis. The price of a
taxi from Athens airport to downtown is approximately 28 -
30 euros. Depending on traffic, the trip to the Embassy
takes 40 to 60 minutes.


7. Documents required: Diplomatic and official passport
holders must have Greek diplomatic visas, a valid Schengen
visa or diplomatic ID from any other Schengen country, in

addition to their passport, in order to enter Greece. The
Embassy will be unable to obtain plane-side visas for USG
employees arriving in Greece without proper documentation.
Holders of tourist passports do not/not require visas. USG
employees who plan to operate a motor vehicle while in
Greece must be in possession of a valid U.S. drivers'
license as well as a valid International Drivers' License
and must carry proof of third party liability insurance
while operating the vehicle.


8. Embassy access: Embassy Athens has installed a new
identification badging system, which requires that all
Department of State employees bring their Global ID and/or
Smart Card that will be acknowledged as proper Embassy ID.
DOS employees will be expected to stop by the RSO Office to
program their ID to be compatible with the Athens system.


9. Regional Medical Office: The Health Unit at the Embassy
is fully staffed. A State Department medical clearance is
required by all employees of agencies participating in ICASS
who will be traveling TDY for more then 60 days a year.
Health Unit access is not guaranteed without this clearance.
Family members will not have access to the Health Unit
unless they are on employees' travel orders. We strongly
recommend that TDYers bring with them proof of current
medical insurance coverage and medevac coverage if obtained.


10. Currency: Greece is a member of the European Monetary
Union, and the Euro is the currency of the country.
Accommodation exchange is available on a limited basis
(responsible agency/section signed authorization) at the
Embassy cashier office - hours are M-F 0900 - 1100 and 1400
- 1600. However, ATMs are readily available throughout the
country (there is also one at the Embassy); they will accept
U.S. debit cards. In addition, most banks and major hotels
provide accommodation exchange services. Post is unable to
provide reverse accommodation.


11. Office space/laptops/mobile phones: Office space in
both classified and unclassified areas is extremely limited.
For those employees planning on bringing laptops and modems
to use in their hotels, please remember that this equipment
can be used for processing unclassified (non-SBU)
information only. Current here is 220 volt, 50 cycles, and
outlets are two-pronged. Bring along a plug adapter and
equipment that can handle the voltage. Laptops are not
permitted in controlled access areas of the Embassy.
European GSM mobile phones function normally in Greece.

12. Presidential Directive - Trafficking in Persons: All
TDY personnel are reminded that President Bush has signed a
National Security Presidential Directive to advance the
fight against trafficking in persons. The United States is
committed to eradicate trafficking both domestically and
abroad. Trafficking in persons exists in Greece. A
significant number of the people involved in prostitution,
pornography and the sex tourism phenomenon, are trafficked.
They are compelled by force, fraud and coercion to submit to
sexual exploitation. TDY personnel are advised that any
involvement with the commercial sex industry is unacceptable
in light of the diplomatic and foreign policy goals of the
United States and the ethical standards of the Department of
State and this Mission. Embassy Management will not tolerate
any such involvement by Mission personnel and, in this
regard, will enforce all relevant regulations regarding
conduct and suitability of U.S. Government employees
stationed abroad.


13. Security information:


A. Embassy Athens is designated "critical" for indigenous
terrorism. In the past, local Greek terrorist groups have
targeted prominent Greeks as well as certain non-Greek
Officials, including Americans. We believe that the threat
to official US Government personnel on short-term
assignments to Greece or visiting for tourism is relatively
low. The indigenous groups historically have engaged in
extensive operational surveillance over long periods of
time. In 2003 and again in 2004, the Greek Government made
significant progress to combat domestic terrorism by
successfully convicting the leader and key hit men of the
November 17 terrorist organization and of the ELA. 17N was
responsible for assassinating prominent Greeks and five
members of the US Mission over the course of its 30-year
history. Convicted ELA members were responsible for several
bombings, attempted murders and were involved in at least
one assassination. While these convictions likely impacted
on the operational capabilities of 17N and ELA, it is too
soon to assess whether the threat from domestic terrorism is
completely eliminated. We urge vigilance and caution, as
the worldwide threat from other terrorist groups against
Americans in general remains high. Official Americans
should assume they are potential targets.


B. Over the past year the U.S. Embassy has experienced
numerous bomb threats, protest marches, and anti-U.S.
demonstrations. These protests are generally peaceful
though a few provoked random acts of violence. Travelers to
Greece are advised that protests or demonstrations could
occur at any time; unwitting observers or bystanders might
be identified, to their disadvantage, as Americans. RSO
recommends that official U.S. travelers in Greece remain
alert when moving about in public places and avoid certain
places where demonstrators frequently congregate. These
places include the Polytechnical University area, located on
28 October (Patission) Street between the National
Archeological Museum and Omonia Square; Exarchion Square,
located near Kolonaki; Omonia and Syntagma Squares, which
are often used as launch sites for large demonstrations; and
Mavili Square, located near the U.S. Embassy. Visitors
should keep abreast of news about large demonstrations and
avoid these areas and metro stops.


C. Crime is rated "medium" in Greece. For TDY visitors,
pick-pocketing and purse snatching are the most common
crimes. Taxis are generally safe though metered cabs are
recommended. Taxis too will often pick up more than one
passenger unless prior arrangements are made. Crimes of
opportunity - thefts, break-ins, and occasional scams - are
on the rise. Travelers should be especially cautious with
wallets, purses, and parcels when traveling on crowded
streets, public buses, trolleys, and/or subways. There have
been several instances of motorcyclists approaching cars
stuck in traffic, reaching through open windows or smashing
closed ones, and stealing whatever is within reach. We have
also recently learned of a new scenario in which
motorcyclists open the trunk of a vehicle and remove the
contents. The Embassy recommends keeping purses, parcels,
handbags, etc. out of sight under the seat or on the floor
of the car. Windows should be kept closed and doors locked.
Pedestrians may also be confronted by beggars and other
street people who may attempt to divert attention, then
steal unprotected valuables - either by pick-pocketing or
snatch-and-grab techniques. Women are generally safe from
violent crime in Greece. Men are aggressive by American
standards however when pursuing women.


D. Traffic in Greek urban areas, especially Athens and
Thessaloniki, is chaotic. Greece leads the European Union
in traffic fatalities. Road rage is common. Accidents
often lead to fist fights. Drivers in Greece should
exercise caution and common sense. Drivers and pedestrians
alike should exercise extreme caution when operating motor
vehicles or when walking along roadways. Moreover, tourists
who rent motorbikes either on the Greek mainland or its
islands must wear helmets and must take special precautions
on the local roads that are typically poorly maintained and
frequently pothole-ridden. Greece also leads the European
Union in motorcycle deaths.

Walles