REVISED COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR FRANCES

C O N F I D E N T I A L RIYADH 008492

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/29/2016
TAGS: EFIN PTER KTFN ETTC ECON SA
SUBJECT: REVISED COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR FRANCES
FRAGOS TOWNSEND, NOVEMBER 4-7, 2006.

REF: A. RIYADH 8395

B. WHITE HOUSE 251853Z

Classified By: ACTING DEPUTY CHIEF OF MISSION DAVID RUNDELL FOR REASONS
1.4 (B) AND (D).


1. (C) The U.S. Mission to Saudi Arabia welcomes and grants
provisional country clearance for Assistant to the President
for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism (APHSCT),Homeland
Security Council, Ms. Frances Fragos Townsend; Director for
Combating Terrorism Strategy, National Security Council, Mr.
Todd Hinnen; Aide to APHSCT, Homeland Security Council, Mr.
Michael Taylor, and Assistant to APHSCT, John Pearson, to
conduct counterterrorism bilateral discussions from November
4-7, 2006 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.


2. (U) Due to recent severe budget cuts, the Mission must
direct charge all visit support costs. Country clearance is
expressly conditional on advance receipt or assurances of
complete fiscal data covering all support expenses for all
visitors and delegation members. Please see Para 6 for
details.


3. (C) Mission Control Officer will be William Steele,
Bilateral Programs Management Officer. Assisting will be
Lubaina Qaiyumi, Economic Officer. Contact numbers are:
Embassy MSG Post 1 - (966-1) 488-3800, Ext. 4111; Embassy
Motorpool - (966-1) 488-3800, Ext. 4252; William Steele,
Control Officer Home (966-1) 482-2137, Office (966-1)
488-3800 Ext. 4086, Cell Phone (966-50) 617-4907; and Lubaina
Qaiyumi, Co-Control Officer Home (966-1) 482-2704, Office
(966-1) 488-3800 Ext. 4279, Cell Phone (966-50) 355-2145 and
E-Mail Address: QaiyumiLB@state.gov.


4. (SBU) Lodging reservations for the delegation have been
requested at the Conference Palace Hotel in Riyadh from
November 4-7.

--------------
Standard Advice to Travelers
--------------

Visit Typical Expenses


5. (U) VIP: We calculate the average cost per day/per person
to be approximately USD 197.00 for VIP visitors with a
special agenda above the rank of Office Director to any post
in Saudi Arabia. Actual costs will be charged to the fiscal
data provided.


6. (U) Typical costs include, but are not limited to,
American and Locally Employed Staff's overtime, holiday pay,
and premium pay as applicable, field travel by Embassy
personnel, transportation costs, vehicle rental, telephone
installation and service, equipment rental, printing
expenses, supplies, and any other costs that can be directly
attributed to the visit.


7. (U) Operational Support: Typical costs include overtime
for Locally Employed Staff, overtime and mileage for
motorpool if after-hours transportation is required, cell
phone, and any other costs that can be directly attributed to
the visit.


8. (SBU) Security: As a result of the continuing terrorist
threat in Saudi Arabia, the U.S. Embassy and Consulates
General in Saudi Arabia became one-year unaccompanied posts
effective August 12, 2004.


9. (SBU) All incoming personnel (TDY or PCS) must receive an
RSO-approved security brief prior to or upon arrival. The
Control Officer designated in the country clearance cable is
responsible for ensuring the appropriate brief is obtained.
For TDY personnel with stays of less than 96 hours and where
travel is limited to Riyadh with nearly all visit activity
occurring within the Diplomatic Quarter, an RSO-written brief
provided in paper or electronic form to the visitor by the
Control Officer will satisfy the requirement. For all other
circumstances, the Control Officer must provide the traveler
the paper or electronic brief before or upon the visitor's
arrival, PLUS arrange for an appropriate security briefing
session with the RSO.


10. (SBU) Travel is performed only in Embassy vehicles. Use
of taxis, private cars, hotel shuttles, and public
transportation for all travel within the city is not
authorized.


11. (SBU) Travelers to Saudi Arabia are advised that their

hotel rooms and any telephones used may be monitored during
their stay in the Kingdom. Travelers should report any
unusual occurrences to the Embassy or Consulate General RSO.


12. (U) On December 6, 2004, there was an armed attack on
the U.S. Consulate in Jeddah, resulting in casualties among
the non-American staff and damage to Consulate facilities.
Due to such targeted attacks against American facilities and
citizens, resulting in deaths, injuries and kidnappings, and
the continuing serious threat to their safety while in Saudi
Arabia, the Department of State continues to warn U.S.
citizens to defer travel to Saudi Arabia.


13. (SBU) TYDers are reminded of the potential for further
terrorist actions against U.S. citizens abroad, including in
the Persian Gulf region. USG employees who travel to Saudi
Arabia are required to follow all security precautions as
prescribed by the Regional Security Officer including the use
of armored vehicles. From time to time, the U.S. Embassy and
Consulates in Saudi Arabia may restrict the travel of
official Americans or suspend public services for security
reasons.


14. (SBU) Although counter-terrorism efforts have succeeded
in diminishing terrorist capabilities in Saudi Arabia,
terrorist groups continue to target housing compounds,
hotels, methods of transportation, and commercial
establishments where Westerners can be found. Saudi
Government facilities are also targets as demonstrated by the
December 29, 2004 attempted bombing of the Ministry of
Interior. In addition to car bombs and armed assaults
involving multiple gunmen against such facilities, terrorists
have also used ambush attacks to kidnap and/or assassinate
individual Westerners.


15. (SBU) These incidents argue strongly that U.S. citizens
in Saudi Arabia should maintain a low profile, keep travel to
a minimum, vary travel routes and times, and treat any mail
from unfamiliar sources with suspicion. American citizens
are also cautioned to remain alert and aware of their
surroundings while moving about the city.


16. (SBU) The Embassy approves the use of computers,
laptops, and digital cameras at post in accordance with 12
FAM 600 established regulations. Stand-alone use of laptops
will be allowed with the standard caveat that nothing be
connected to DOS systems. Computers, laptops, and digital
cameras must stay outside of CAA areas. Prior notification
of the use of cameras must be approved by the RSO. It should
be noted that Saudi law, especially as it is interpreted in
the capital of Riyadh, rigidly controls photography. We
strongly urge visitors to avoid taking photographs in any
public place without the express and prior involvement of the
RSO.


17. (SBU) Visas: Visitors are also reminded that valid
visas for Saudi Arabia are required at all times. Travelers
are advised that submitting passports to the Saudi
authorities that contain Israeli visas or evidence of travel
to Israel may result in difficulties securing a Saudi visa or
gaining entry to the Kingdom. Official travelers to Saudi
Arabia should request a two-year, multiple-entry visa from
the nearest Saudi Embassy or Consulate.


18. (SBU) Passports: Visitors are reminded to keep a copy
of their passport with them at all times while in Saudi
Arabia as it may be needed for identification. The original
should be kept in a safe place.


19. (SBU) Prohibited Items: Strict Islamic law is the
foundation of the Kingdom's customs and practices. The norms
for public behavior are extremely conservative. Saudi Arabia
outlaws the importation, sale, or use of alcohol in the
Kingdom, and visitors must not attempt to bring any alcohol,
pork products, or printed materials that may be construed as
pornographic or proselytizing into the Kingdom. Penalties
include confiscation, fines, and may extend to denial of
entry.


20. (SBU) Drugs: Saudi Arabia strictly prohibits the
importation of controlled substances, including narcotics,
methamphetamines, depressants, and hallucinogens. The
penalty for violation of this law is death.


21. (SBU) Prescription drugs in small quantities, clearly
labeled, should cause no difficulties. Problems arise when
they are in large quantities, unlabeled, or lack
documentation (such as a copy of the prescription),or when
they are deemed illicit by Saudi authorities. Many drugs

sold in nearby countries without a prescription are
considered illegal here. Individuals are arrested for
possession of these drugs.


22. (U) Dress: While visiting the Kingdom, women and men
should dress conservatively. Guidance issued by the Saudi
Embassy in Washington states that non-Muslim women are not
required to wear an abayya, but should dress conservatively
(loose fitting skirts/dresses that fall well below the knee
with long sleeves and a high neckline) when in public. This
is also the position of the U.S. Embassy.


23. (SBU) However, while Embassy personnel are not required
to wear the abayya and/or hijaab (scarf) on official
business, many Western women choose to wear the abayya and
hijaab while conducting their personal affairs in order to
avoid unwanted attention and/or harassment by the Mutawwa'in
(religious police). Upon request, the Embassy will loan
female visitors abayyas for the duration of their stay in the
Kingdom.


24. (SBU) It is the policy of the Embassy to support a woman
in her decision to wear or not wear the abayya and/or hijaab.
OBERWETTER