AUSTRALIA COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR RADIOACTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 CANBERRA 001361

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ENRG TRGY AORC KNNP OTRA AS IAEA
SUBJECT: AUSTRALIA COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR RADIOACTIVE
SOURCES TRAINING TEAM, AUGUST 27 - SEPTEMBER 2, 2005

REF: STATE 144396


1. Embassy Canberra, with the concurrence of Consulate
General Sydney, welcomes and grants country clearance to Mark
Samuel Soo Hoo, Paul Ebel, and Frederick Allen Morris to
travel to Sydney, Australia on August 27 - September 2, 2005.
The purpose of their visit is to participate in a Regional
Training Course on Physical Protection of Radioactive Sources.


2. Mission understands that no Embassy assistance is
required. However, Political-Military Officer Tamara
Fitzgerald would appreciate a readout by telephone at the end
of your visit. Her phone number is 61-2-6214-5962.


3. The Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS) has
very strict guidelines concerning the import of goods into
Australia. Passengers on both commercial and U.S. military
flight into Australia are required to complete an in-bound
passenger card on which it is imperative that honest
declarations are made concerning the goods the passenger is
bringing with them in both their hand luggage and checked
bags. All foodstuffs should be declared as well as any
souvenirs made from plant material - baskets, rugs,
handicrafts, etc. If you have visited a rural area prior to
arriving in Australia, it is important that this is also
declared on your in-bound passenger card. AQIS officials
employ the use of sniffer dogs and screening equipment at all
international ports and have the right under Australian law
to search personal baggage of any traveler, regardless of
their diplomatic status, if they have reason to believe
that prohibited goods are being brought into the country.


4. Americans visiting Australia for 90 days or less (for
either official USG or private travel) may enter Australia
without a visa stamped in their passports. However, American
travelers must receive an electronic travel authority (ETA)
from the participating travel agent or airline. An ETA
clears the traveler electronically for entry into Australia.
Alternatively, travelers may request a visa from the
Australian Embassy or nearest Australian consulate.


5. Travelers are reminded to keep bags packed under 32
kilograms (70 pounds). Australian airport personnel will not
handle any items over this weight and the traveler will be
required to unpack and repack overweight luggage on the spot.


6. Threat Assessment: The Embassy is not aware of any
Australia-specific threats to U.S. facilities or personnel at
this time. American citizens are reminded that it is more
important than ever to maintain a high level of vigilance and
to take appropriate steps to increase their security
awareness.

Due to the military action in Iraq, there is a potential for
retaliatory actions to be taken against U.S. citizens and
interests throughout the world. Public demonstrations carry
the potential for precipitating violence directed at American
citizens, symbols associated with the United States or other
U.S. and western interests.

The threat to U.S. citizens includes the risk of attacks by
terrorist groups. Terrorist actions may include, but are not
limited to, suicide operations, bombings or kidnapping.
Possible threats include conventional weapons such as
explosive devices or non-conventional weapons, including
chemical or biological agents. Terrorists do not distinguish
between official and civilian targets. These may include
facilities where Americans and other foreigners congregate or
visit, such as residential areas, clubs, restaurants, places
of worship, schools, hotels, outdoor recreation events or
resorts and beaches. U.S. citizens should increase their
security awareness at such locations, avoid them, or switch
to other locations where Americans in large numbers generally
do not congregate.

U.S. Government facilities worldwide remain at a heightened
state of alert and some have drawn down their dependents/and
or personnel. These facilities may temporarily close or
suspend public services from time to time for security
reasons. In those instances, U.S. embassies and consulates
will make every effort to provide emergency services to
American citizens. Monitor the local news and maintain
contact with the nearest American embassy or consulate.

In response to U.S. policy and actions, occasional
demonstrations, anonymous telephonic threats and obscure
threat mail have in the past targeted the U.S. Embassy in
Canberra and the Consulates General in Sydney, Melbourne, and
Perth, as well as joint U.S./Australian defense facilities.
However, demonstrations have been peacefully conducted, and
Australian police and protective services have provided
adequate protection to the U.S. mission. Sydney and, to a
lesser extent, Melbourne, Perth and Canberra, have
experienced an increase in street crime, assaults and
muggings. Weapons are increasingly used in such crimes,
which are also associated with increased drug trafficking and
usage.

Australia is considered a medium crime threat environment,
visitors should be aware that street crime, burglaries, and
car theft are a daily occurrence in the larger cities,
including Canberra. Appropriate, common sense precautions
should be taken, especially at night, to avoid becoming a
target of opportunity.

STANTON