COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR THE VISIT OF PM/WRA

UNCLAS KABUL 005397 SIPDIS SIPDIS PM/WRA (FOR EPATTERSON AND SMORIMOTO) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OTRA PARM PREL MARR MASS ASEC AF SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR THE VISIT OF PM/WRA PATTERSON AND ARNETT ¶1. (U) Embassy Kabul warmly welcomes PM/WRA Policy Advisor Eric Patterson and Technical Advisor Eric Arnett and grants country clearance for the visit from November 15 to November 18,2006. ¶2. (U) Control officer for the visit is Political-Military Affairs Officer Todd Bullock. Mr. Bullock's contact information follows: -- tel (work): 93-0-70-10-8160 -- cell tel.: 90-0-798-018-941 -- UNCLAS e-mail: bullockjt@state.gov ¶3. (U) Embassy Kabul will provide transportation, security, escorts and lodging. Visit schedule will be provided separately. ¶4. (U) Post recommends that all travelers review information about traveling to Kabul on Post's website: http://kabul.state.gov. ¶5. (SBU) Threat Assessment/Security Guidelines follow: a. The security environment in Kabul and throughout Afghanistan is dangerous. There is continued potential for attacks against U.S. citizens and interests in Afghanistan. Terrorist actions may include, but are not limited to rocket attacks, suicide operations, assassinations, kidnappings, hijackings, shootings or bombings. The potential exists in Kabul and the rest of the country for demonstrations, riots, bombings, and other violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests. b. Visitors are advised to maintain a level of vigilance and to heighten their security awareness while at post. Americans citizens have been victimized by vehicle-borne explosives and roadside bombs within the last year. Occasional rocket attacks in the vicinity of the Embassy compound are unpredictable and random. There have been incidents of carjackings and robberies directed against NGOs, journalists and diplomats carried out by aggressive and armed persons. The proliferation of weapons on the street is extensive. Host country and ISAF forces have had some success in making arrests and seizing weapons. However travel outside of Kabul remains extremely dangerous in many places, and travel within Kabul after dark should also be avoided. Due to restrictions travelers should be prepared to expect delays and possible cancellations of events in Kabul and of proposed out-of-Kabul travel. c. All personnel are required to attend a RSO Security briefing after travel. Verification of security clearance level is required prior to issuance of an identification card. Persons who will require unescorted access in the controlled access areas (CAA) are responsible for ensuring that security clearances are transmitted to post prior to their arrival. d. The U.S. Embassy maintains a 2400 curfew. However, changes in threat conditions may result in an earlier curfew on a temporary basis. The RSO must clear any travel outside of the city, as well as any proposed travel after dark. Travel during daylight hours is permitted, but must be performed in an armored vehicle. Anyone traveling off the compound must sign out on departure and back in upon returning to the compound. Personnel are advised to carry a radio or cell phone to maintain contact in the event of an emergency. e. Though the compound has been checked for mines and unexploded ordinance (UXO),there remains the remote possibility that a UXO or mine could remain. While in Afghanistan, do not touch anything suspicious, avoid picking up souvenirs and immediately report any suspicious device to RSO personnel. Outside the compound, red rocks are uncleared mine areas, while white rocks are considered mine free areas. Be advised, however, there remains a 10% chance that unexploded mines remain in the mine cleared areas. For this reason, during all travel in Kabul and out of the city, travelers should remain on hard surface roads at all time. NEUMANN