COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED TO DEMIAN SMITH

UNCLAS PRISTINA 000658

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OTRA PREL AMGT ASEC SR YI
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED TO DEMIAN SMITH

REF: BELGRADE 1255


1. US Office Pristina welcomes and grants country clearance to
Demian Smith to visit Pristina August 14-17, 2006. The purpose of
the visit is for meetings with local officials. Control Officer is
Political Officer Heidi Barrachina, who can be reached at: office
381-38-549-516 ext. 3104; GSM 377-44-501-741; Serbian GSM
063-1840-036; fax 381-38-549-890.


2. Post will make arrangements for transportation between ABL and
hotel and for official meetings during the visit. Accommodations
have been confirmed at Hotel Victory, Tel# 038/543 277. The Hotel
Victory accepts cash only. The room rate is Euro 69.30 a night,
including breakfast.


3. Kosovo is a cash (Euro) economy. There are a few operating ATMs
and some large stores and hotels take credit cards. Not all ATMS
are reliable and personnel should use normal ATM safety precautions.
TDY personnel should bring sufficient cash or travelers' checks to
cover all hotel and other incidental expenses and may exchange
dollars for Euros from 9:00am-11:30am and 1:00pm-3:00pm each Monday,
Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday and 9:00am-11:30am each Thursday at
the U.S. Office cashier. Only USOP accepts travelers' checks.
Reverse accommodation is available at the end of the visit.


4. Security issues: The security situation in Kosovo is fluid and
there is still risk from occasional episodes of violence; incidents
of ethnic violence continue to occur. Land mines remain in some
outlying areas. Civil society institutions generally do not yet
meet Western standards. There is criminal activity against
internationals, including purse snatching and residential break-ins
and general precautions are recommended. KFOR is deployed
throughout Kosovo. Electronic devices such as laptops (personal or
official),PDA cell phones with cameras, and the like must be
approved for use in USOP facilities by an ISSO in consultation with
the RSO.


5. Travel to certain areas within Kosovo requires fully armored
vehicles and advance RSO approval. To facilitate planning, please
provide your travel itinerary to USOP before arrival, as same-day
travel can be difficult to arrange. To provide appropriate access
to USOP facilities, visitors must ensure all necessary security
clearances are included with travel messages.


6. Please ensure ASEC tags are included to ensure proper
distribution. Specific questions regarding security may be
addressed to USOP's RSO or your control officer.

KAIDANOW