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 NNNN