VISIT TO VIENNA OF U/S R. NICHOLAS BURNS AND

UNCLAS VIENNA 003787 SIPDIS INFO OSCE POST COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE AMEMBASSY LJUBLJANA IMMEDIATE P FOR DAVID BAME S/ES-EX FOR STEPHEN B. WILLIAMS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OVIP OTRA ASEC AU SUBJECT: VISIT TO VIENNA OF U/S R. NICHOLAS BURNS AND TRAVELLING PARTY REF: STATE 216461 ¶1. Post warmly welcomes visit of Under Secretary for Political Affairs R. Nicholas Burns, Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Daniel Fried, and Special Assistant to the Under Secretary David Bame to Vienna, Austria December 7, 2005. ¶2. U/S Burns and party will be met at the airport and escorted to the gate by Economic Political Counselor Gregory ¶E. Phillips and Embassy expediter Christian Ludwig. Mr. Phillips cell phone number is (from the U.S.) 43-664-423-7596 and (from inside Austria) 0664-423-7596. Mr. Ludwig's cell phone number is (from the U.S.) 43-664-4242-316 and (from inside Austria) 0664-4242-316. ¶3. THREAT ASSESSMENT AND SECURITY GUIDANCE. Austria is currently rated low for crime and terrorism and is quite safe by U.S. standards. However, the Regional Security Office recommends travelers take common sense precautions while in Austria. Pickpockets can be a problem in crowded areas in Vienna frequented by tourists, such as St. Stephansplatz, the Rathausplatz, and the Naschmarkt. In addition, drug dealers sometimes frequent the Stadtpark (across from the Marriott Hotel) and the Karlsplatz at night. Public transportation (buses, trams and subways) is very efficient and generally quite safe; however, travelers should use more caution when riding public transportation in the later evening. Theft from parked vehicles and hotel rooms can also be a concern. Visitors should exercise the same common sense security precautions they would in any large cosmopolitan area. As everywhere overseas, American travelers should maintain a low profile and maintain an awareness of their surroundings. ¶4. SECURITY CLEARANCE AND BUILDING ACCESS: In compliance with Department of State (DOS) regulations and mission policy, visitors desiring unescorted access into any mission facility must ensure that their headquarters provide the following in their travel message: clearance levels (if any),social security numbers, and agencies granting clearances. Please send messages via cable with ASEC tags to ensure proper distribution to the RSO. ¶5. ELECTRONIC DEVICES: RSO approval must be obtained before any electronic devices may be brought into any mission facilities and CAA areas. Please contact RSO for further information. ¶6. All travelers should be aware of the Department of State,s latest travel warnings and public announcements, available at the Consular Affairs internet website at HTTP://travel.state.gov. VAN VOORST