COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR CDC OFFICIAL HUSSAIN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 THE HAGUE 002442 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/UBI E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OTRA NL SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR CDC OFFICIAL HUSSAIN BASEER - DECEMBER 23-24, 2006 REF: CDC 04305 ¶1. Country clearance is granted for Center for Disease Control, Health and Human Services official Hussain Baseer, Public Health Officer, NCID, HHS/CDC to transit the Netherlands from December 23-24, 2006 on his way to Kigali, Rwanda to assist the Rwanda Public Health Advisor with program and management operations. ¶2. Embassy understands that no further assistance is required. POST ACCESS: ¶3. Visitors who need unescorted access into secure areas of the Mission must provide proof of a clearance. If level of clearance was not provided in the original country clearance request it should be done by separate cable. The cable should include SSN, and the name of the agency granting the security clearance. Cables must include the ASEC tag to ensure distribution to the RSO office. COMPUTER AND ELECTRONICS USE: ¶4. Inter-agency security standards prohibit the introduction or use of non-USG owned computer hardware and software at all USG diplomatic facilities. Cell phones, palm pilots, radios and other convenience electronics are prohibited in all secure areas of the Mission. ¶5. Travelers who anticipate having special needs in terms of either access or computer usage should contact the RSO office before arriving at post. Security ADVISORY: ¶6. The Government of the Netherlands (GoN) assesses the threat level of a terrorist incident for The Netherlands as &substantial.8 This is the second highest of four threat levels and is defined as a realistic threat that the Netherlands will experience a terrorist attack. GoN has implemented Counter-Terrorism and heightened security measures in response. ¶7. US citizens in The Netherlands are encouraged to monitor media reports, to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness. American citizens should bear in mind that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. American citizens are urged to avoid areas of demonstrations if possible, and to exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations. ¶8. The U.S. Government remains deeply concerned about the heightened possibility of terrorist attacks against U.S. citizens and interests abroad. As noted in the Department of State,s Worldwide Caution of October 11, 2006, terrorists do not distinguish between official and civilian targets. Such targets may include facilities where U.S. citizens and other foreigners congregate or visit, including residential areas, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools, hotels and public areas. Terrorist actions may include, but are not limited to, suicide operations, assassination, hijackings, bombings or kidnappings. These may involve aviation and other transportation and maritime interests. ¶9. An area of concern for visitors to The Netherlands is crime. Most crimes against officials Americans are limited to pick-pocketing and purse and luggage theft. Theft from automobiles and hotel rooms are also on the rise. Theft of laptop computers has increased, especially at Schiphol Airport and major train stations. The thieves operate in small groups that target travelers. They are determined and well-practiced at distraction theft. Official travelers have been victimized, losing personal or unclassified government computers, software and data. Travelers are reminded that regulations require the use of the diplomatic pouch for shipment of classified equipment and information. ¶10. Streets can be walked in relative safety but, as in any U.S. urban area, caution and vigilance should be exercised especially after dark in the more populated cities of The Hague, Amsterdam and Rotterdam. Red-light districts and public transportation hubs are common locations for in