COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR HARRIS AND WILLIAMS,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 WELLINGTON 000028

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

SINGAPORE FOR TSA
EAP/ANP - TRAMSEY

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OTRA EAIR CW NZ
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR HARRIS AND WILLIAMS,
JANUARY 29 - FEBRUARY 12, 2005

REF: SINGAPORE 3629


1. (SBU) Embassy welcomes and grants country clearance to
Transportation Security Administration Officials Francis

E. Harris and Lisa A. Williams, to travel to Rarotonga,
Cook Islands from January 29 - February 5, 2005, and
Auckland, New Zealand from February 5 - 12, 2005. The
purpose of this visit is to conduct airport assessments in
accordance with the International Civil Aviation
Organization's standards and recommended practices, and to
inspect the air carriers subject to U.S. regulations.


2. (U) Embassy will make hotel reservations and schedule
meetings, as requested. All relevant information will be
sent via email to Singapore and Sydney contacts.


3. (SBU) Embassy point of contact is Economic Officer Joy
Yamamoto. Contact details are as follows:

Office: 644-462-6182
Fax: 644-472-3537
Cell: 027-446-4467
E-mail: YamamotoJO@state.gov

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NEW ZEALAND
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4. (SBU) All TDY visitors to Embassy Wellington are
required to report to the Regional Security Office for a
security briefing if they have not completed an approved
overseas personal security training course.


5. (U) Visitors should use local taxi service, which is
generally safe, reliable and frequent. Taxi fare from the
airport to downtown Auckland hotels is approximately
NZD60.00.


6. (U) Travelers can exchange currency at the airport
upon arrival and ATM machines are readily available
throughout New Zealand. Check cashing privileges at the
Embassy are limited to traveler's checks only up to USD
300.00 daily. Personal checks will not be accepted.


7. (SBU) Biosecurity Fines:

The Government of New Zealand instituted fines for non-
declared biosecurity hazards on travelers entering New
Zealand with undeclared plant, animal or food material.
Travelers found carrying these undeclared items will be
immediately fined NZD200.00 (USD150.00). Biosecurity is a
serious issue in New Zealand and fines will be
administered immediately and without warnings.


8. (SBU) Security Information:

a. (SBU) All U.S. citizen personnel serving under the
Chief of Mission authority in a temporary status of 30
days or more must complete appropriate overseas personal
security training prior to travel (04 State 66580).
Employees who have completed the Security Overseas Seminar
course at the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) after June
1, 2000, meet this requirement. All other TDY personnel
must either (1) complete the approved seminar at FSI
entitled "Serving Abroad for Families and Employees"
(SAFE),or (2) have their agency certify to the Department
of State's Bureau of Diplomatic Security that the employee
has undergone equivalent security training. The contact
for this training is Assistant Director for Training at
(703) 205-2617. Country clearance will not be granted for
any traveler with planned TDY in excess of 30 days if this
information is not stated/certified. POC for additional
information is RSO Wellington.

b. (SBU) The U.S. Mission in New Zealand currently rates
the threat from transnational and indigenous terrorism as
low. There are no terrorist groups or support groups
believed to be operating in New Zealand at this time. In
light of the worldwide security alert all visitors should
heighten their security awareness and report any unusual
incidents to the Regional Security Officer.

c. (SBU) Anonymous telephonic threats and obscure threat
mail have occasionally targeted U.S. diplomatic missions
in New Zealand. In response to U.S. policies and actions,
various groups in New Zealand have demonstrated
occasionally at the Embassy in Wellington and at the
Consulate in Auckland. These demonstrations are usually
small and are peacefully conducted. During these
demonstrations, the host country police and protective
services normally provide adequate protection to the
Embassy and Consulate.

d. (SBU) New Zealand is considered a medium threat crime
environment. As such, Wellington and Auckland have
experienced an increase in violent and petty crimes, but
they are usually non-confrontational in nature. However,
home invasion robberies and assaults, once very rare, are
becoming more frequent. Burglaries and thefts occur
countrywide but primarily in the large cities of Auckland,
Christchurch and Wellington, and visitors should be
especially aware that street crime, such as scams and
pickpockets, is a daily occurrence in these cities.
Common sense precautions should be taken, especially at
night, to avoid becoming a target of opportunity.

e. (SBU) Generally, New Zealand does not play a
significant role in the world drug situation; however,
evidence indicates that New Zealand has been utilized as a
transit point for shipments of Ecstasy, Heroin and Cocaine
to Australia. The most abused drugs in New Zealand are
locally produced methamphetamine and cannabis. There have
been increased amounts of lab seizures and violent crime
associated with groups attempting to control this market.

f. (U) All forms of public transportation are generally
safe at all times of the day; however, at night visitors
should use common sense precautions so as to not become a
target of opportunity.

g. (U) The traffic situation in Auckland can be difficult
with a moderate amount of congestion. Visitors are
advised that traffic drives on the left-hand side of the
road. Visitors are advised that traffic accidents are
common and that it is safe to pull over so that police may
take an accident report. However, visitors who experience
hostility or anti-American sentiment should depart the
scene immediately and notify the RSO.

h. (U) Precautions should also be taken to not discuss
sensitive or classified information outside secure
environments or over unsecured and/or cellular telephones,
and to securely safeguard classified or sensitive
information at the Chancery and not at hotels or
residences.

i. (U) Visitors should also be aware of the State
Department's Consular Information sheet for New Zealand
and the most recent Worldwide Caution Public
Announcements, which are available via the Internet at
http://travel.state.gov

j. (U) In essence, visitors to New Zealand must exercise
appropriate caution and be alert to their surroundings
with regard to their personal security. Suspicious
incidents/activities should be reported to RSO Wellington
(Telephone (64)(4)462-6000, 24 hours/day).

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COOK ISLANDS
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9. (U) The Cook Islands is a Parliamentary democracy in
free association with New Zealand, on which they rely for
defense and assistance in meeting low-level security
threats. The Embassy is not aware of any specific threats
to U.S. facilities or personnel at this time in the Cook
Islands. However, in light of the worldwide security
alert all visitors should heighten their security
awareness and report any unusual incidents to the Regional
Security Office at the Embassy in Wellington, New Zealand.


10. (U) Following the September 11, 2001 terrorist
attacks in the U.S. and the November 2002 terrorist
bombing in Bali, there has been concern that terrorists
might seek to take advantage of the low level of security
maintained in small island states such as the Cook Islands
in order to target tourists in previously safe
destinations. New Zealand has worked with the Cook
Islands to improve airport security in response to this
possibility. 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.
Targets 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, 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.

11. (U) The Cook Islands offshore finance industry has
come under scrutiny regarding possible money laundering.
The Cook Islands has been included on the OECD's list of
non-cooperating states in the fight against money
laundering.


12. (U) As a result of recent military action in Iraq,
there is a potential for retaliatory actions to be taken
against U.S. citizens and interest throughout the world.
Public demonstrations carry the potential for
precipitating violence directed at American citizens.


13. (U) 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 U.S. Consulate.


14. (U) Crime: Appropriate common sense precautions
should be taken, especially at night, to avoid becoming a
target of opportunity.


15. (U) Weather: Severe cyclones present a threat during
the hurricane season, which is from November to March.

Swindells