COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED TO AMBASSADOR AT LARGE CLING

UNCLAS PRISTINA 000764

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OTRA KJUS KAWC SR MW AL AU NL HR
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED TO AMBASSADOR AT LARGE CLING
WILLIAMSON AND S/WCI SPECIAL ASSISTANT MATHEW LAVINE

REF: SECSTATE 145215


1. US Office Pristina welcomes and grants country clearance to
Ambassador-at-Large for War Crimes Issues Clint Williamson and
Special Assistant Matthew Lavine to visit Pristina September 15 -
September 17, 2006. The purpose of the visit is for consultations
with mission, host government and international officials. Point of
contact will be Political Officer, Tracey Thornton, who can be
reached at: office 381-38-549-516 ext. 3110; GSM 377-44-502-107; fax
381-38-549-890.


2. Post is working on travel arrangements from Podgorica and onward
travel from Pristina to Tirana. Post will also make arrangements
for transportation for official meetings during the visit. COM has
extended home hospitality to Ambassador-at-Large Williamson.
Matthew Lavine will be housed in TDY quarters on the USOP compound.



3. Kosovo is a cash (Euro) economy. There are a few operating
ATMs. A few large stores and some 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-3:30pm 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 province requires fully
armored vehicles and advance RSO approval. To facilitate planning,
please provide travel itinerary to USOP in advance of 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