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