Country Clearance granted for Dept of State and NCS

UNCLAS BRATISLAVA 000139

SIPDIS


DEPT FOR: EUR/PRA Anita Friedt
EUR/PRA Sheila Johnson

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL LO AU
SUBJECT: Country Clearance granted for Dept of State and NCS
personnel

REF: SECSTATE 29273


1. Embassy Bratislava welcomes Thomas E. Graham, Anita E.
Friedt, Tracy Babette McKibben, Yuri Shkeyrov and Irene Firsow
and grants country clearance for the period of February 21-25,

2005. The embassy point of contact is Robert Hurlbert,
Management officer(tel.+421-2-5922-3285) and Debra Hevia,
Political Officer (tel.+421-2-5922-3412) Fax line is + 421-2-
5443-0096.


2. HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS. Reservations for Thomas E. Graham
and Tracy Babette McKibben have been made at the Radisson SAS
Carlton hotel (for the night of February 23). Address:
Hviezdoslav.nam 1). The room rate is USD 203, which is OVER the
Bratislava perdiem. Breakfast is included in the rate. Please
contact the hotel directly if there is any subsequent change in
dates of your arrival and inform your POC. Post understands no
other logistical arrangements are requested.


3. The U.S. embassy's address is Hviezdoslavovo nam. 4, 811
02 Bratislava, Slovakia. Telephone numbers are: +421-2-5443-
0861 or +421-5443-3338.


4. SECURITY CLEARANCE AND BUILDING ACCESS: The regional
security officer will provide a temporary embassy badge for
you. Thank you for providing your clearance level in reftel.


5. COMPUTER ACCESS to mission facilities: privately owned
laptops and personal computers (including palm pilots),
peripherals, diskettes and tapes are prohibited in all mission
facilities. Travelers with United States Government (USG) owned
unclassified laptop or notebook computers, peripherals,
diskettes and tapes must receive RSO/IPO authorization prior to
being granted access to U.S. mission buildings. USG-owned
classified computers must be sent to post via classified
diplomatic pouches. Classified equipment must bear external USG
bar codes, inventory numbers, and classification marking
commensurate with the highest level of information processed on
the system.


6. SECURITY: post reminds traveler that we are under a high
level threat of potential terrorist activities. This warning
is especially applicable to those of us in diplomatic missions
overseas. The U.S. government continues to receive credible
indications that extremist groups and individuals are planning
additional terrorist actions against U.S. interests worldwide.
Such actions may include, but are not limited to suicide
operations. Because security and security awareness have been
elevated within the United States, the terrorists may target
U.S. interests overseas. There is a possibility that American
citizens may be targeted for kidnapping or assassination.
Employees are reminded to remain vigilant with regard to their
personal security and to exercise caution.


7. The Slovak republic has a "medium" rate of crime, although
violent crime is relatively uncommon. Visitors are urged to
exercise reasonable precautions. If you must walk alone at
night, keep to populous and well-lighted areas. Pay attention
to your wallet, purse, handbag and cellular telephone, as all
are popular targets of the local thieves. The local
pickpockets are professional and most active during the summer.
They tend to utilize distraction techniques to confuse their
target, preferring locations such as shopping centers, markets
and public transportation in the vicinity of the "old town",
near major hotels where foreigners stay and tourist sites, and
the night trains to Prague and Warsaw. Power struggles between
organized crime elements, which can be violent, occur from time
to time. This activity is not/not directed against Americans
or other foreigners. The rate of auto theft, which is also
connected to organized crime, is very high in Bratislava. Up-
market European and American cars are preferred targets. The
use of alarm systems or anti-theft devices is strongly
encouraged.


8. MEDICAL: The Embassy's principal physician liaison is Dr.
Julia Bruce (tel.+421-2-5922-3138). During the Presidential
advance and visit the Embassy Health unit will be staffed by a
Foreign Service Nurse Practitioner, who will be on call 24
hours. Day hours as well as contact and access info will be
provided separately in the Welcome Kit upon arrival. If you
experience a medical emergency after work hours, contact the
embassy duty officer at cell phone 0903-703-666. (Cell phone
number of FSNP will also be provided in Welcome Kit.) If you
cannot reach either the duty officer or FSNP, dial 112 to
contact the city ambulance service.

THAYER


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