Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06PRISTINA856
2006-10-11 14:56:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Pristina
Cable title:  

COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED TO EUR/SCE DIRECTOR CHRISTOPHER

Tags:  AMGT OTRA MK AL SR 
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VZCZCXYZ0002
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHPS #0856 2841456
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 111456Z OCT 06
FM USOFFICE PRISTINA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6589
INFO RUEHTI/AMEMBASSY TIRANA 6341
RUEHSQ/AMEMBASSY SKOPJE 7234
UNCLAS PRISTINA 000856 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AMGT OTRA MK AL SR
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED TO EUR/SCE DIRECTOR CHRISTOPHER
HOH, OCT 14-16, 2006

REF: SECSTATE 168995

UNCLAS PRISTINA 000856

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AMGT OTRA MK AL SR
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED TO EUR/SCE DIRECTOR CHRISTOPHER
HOH, OCT 14-16, 2006

REF: SECSTATE 168995


1. US Office Pristina welcomes and grants country clearance to
Office of South Central Europe Affairs Director Christopher Hoh to
visit Pristina October 14 - October 16, 2006. The purpose of the
visit is for consultations with post and host country officials.
Point of contact will be Political Officer, David Whiddon, who can
be reached at: office 381-38-549-516 ext. 3241; GSM 377-44-153-565;
fax 381-38-549-890.


2. Post will coordinate arrangements for pick up. Post will also
make arrangements for transportation for official meetings during
the visit. Accommodations have been confirmed at Royal Hotel,
telephone 381-38-220-902. The Royal Hotel accepts cash only. The
room rate is 69 Euro a night, including breakfast.


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