Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06THEHAGUE512
2006-03-09 11:03:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy The Hague
Cable title:
COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR WHA PDAS SHAPIRO,
how-toVZCZCXYZ0006 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHTC #0512/01 0681103 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 091103Z MAR 06 FM AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5045 INFO RUEHBS/AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS 8833 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1496 RUEHPG/AMEMBASSY PRAGUE 1099 RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS 0254
UNCLAS THE HAGUE 000512
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OTRA BE EU EZ UK NL
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR WHA PDAS SHAPIRO,
MARCH 14-15
REF: STATE 37476
UNCLAS THE HAGUE 000512
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OTRA BE EU EZ UK NL
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR WHA PDAS SHAPIRO,
MARCH 14-15
REF: STATE 37476
1. (SBU) Country clearance is granted for WHA PDAS,
Ambassador Shapiro, for his March 14-15 visit to The
Netherlands.
2. (U) Control Officer is Political Officer Ted Burkhalter.
He can be reached at: Tel: (W) 31-70-310-2336, (H)
31-70-324-1559, (Mobile) 31-65-181-6873. Fax: (W)
31-70-310-2348. Unclass Email: burkhaltereb@state.gov.
Please note: When dialing telephone/fax numbers within the
Netherlands, replace country code 31 with a zero.
3. (SBU) Ambassador Shapiro will stay at the residence of the
DCM. The residence can be reached through the embassy
switchboard, at 31-70-310-2209, or directly at 31-70-310-2308.
POST ACCESS:
4. (U) Post acknowledges receipt of security clearance
information.
COMPUTER and ELECTRONICS USAGE:
5. (U) 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.
6. (U) 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:
7. (U) Post provides the following threat assessment for The
Netherlands: On July 9, 2004, the Dutch government
implemented heightened security measures in response to
concerns of terrorist activity. U.S. citizens in the
Netherlands are encouraged to monitor media reports, and are
reminded to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take
appropriate steps to increase their securtiy awareness.
8. (U) 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 April 29, 2004, 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. U.S. citizens should remain in a heightened
state of personal security awareness when attendance at such
locations is unavoidable.
9. (U) Terrorist actions may include, but are not limited to,
suicide operations, hijackings, bombings or kidnappings.
These may also involve commercial aircraft and maritime
interests, and threats to include conventional weapons, such
as explosive devices.
10. (U) A concern for visitors is crime. Most crimes against
official Americans are limited to pick-pocketing and luggage
theft. Theft from automobiles and hotel rooms are not
unknown. Recently, 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.
Several official travelers have been victimized losing
personal or unclassified government computers, valuable
software and data. Travelers are reminded regulations
require the use of the diplomatic pouch for shipment of
classified equipment and information.
11. (U) Streets can be walked in relative safety, but as in
any U.S. urban area, caution should be exercised after dark
in the more populated cities of The Hague, Amsterdam, and
Rotterdam. Red-light districts and public transportation
hubs are common locations for incidents of street crime.
12. (U) For the latest security information, Americans living
and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the
Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet web site at
http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide
Cautions, Public Announcements, and Travel Warnings can be
found. Up-to-date information on security can also be
obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S.,
line at 1-317-472-2328. These numbers are available from
8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday
(except U.S. federal holidays).
ARNALL
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OTRA BE EU EZ UK NL
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR WHA PDAS SHAPIRO,
MARCH 14-15
REF: STATE 37476
1. (SBU) Country clearance is granted for WHA PDAS,
Ambassador Shapiro, for his March 14-15 visit to The
Netherlands.
2. (U) Control Officer is Political Officer Ted Burkhalter.
He can be reached at: Tel: (W) 31-70-310-2336, (H)
31-70-324-1559, (Mobile) 31-65-181-6873. Fax: (W)
31-70-310-2348. Unclass Email: burkhaltereb@state.gov.
Please note: When dialing telephone/fax numbers within the
Netherlands, replace country code 31 with a zero.
3. (SBU) Ambassador Shapiro will stay at the residence of the
DCM. The residence can be reached through the embassy
switchboard, at 31-70-310-2209, or directly at 31-70-310-2308.
POST ACCESS:
4. (U) Post acknowledges receipt of security clearance
information.
COMPUTER and ELECTRONICS USAGE:
5. (U) 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.
6. (U) 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:
7. (U) Post provides the following threat assessment for The
Netherlands: On July 9, 2004, the Dutch government
implemented heightened security measures in response to
concerns of terrorist activity. U.S. citizens in the
Netherlands are encouraged to monitor media reports, and are
reminded to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take
appropriate steps to increase their securtiy awareness.
8. (U) 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 April 29, 2004, 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. U.S. citizens should remain in a heightened
state of personal security awareness when attendance at such
locations is unavoidable.
9. (U) Terrorist actions may include, but are not limited to,
suicide operations, hijackings, bombings or kidnappings.
These may also involve commercial aircraft and maritime
interests, and threats to include conventional weapons, such
as explosive devices.
10. (U) A concern for visitors is crime. Most crimes against
official Americans are limited to pick-pocketing and luggage
theft. Theft from automobiles and hotel rooms are not
unknown. Recently, 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.
Several official travelers have been victimized losing
personal or unclassified government computers, valuable
software and data. Travelers are reminded regulations
require the use of the diplomatic pouch for shipment of
classified equipment and information.
11. (U) Streets can be walked in relative safety, but as in
any U.S. urban area, caution should be exercised after dark
in the more populated cities of The Hague, Amsterdam, and
Rotterdam. Red-light districts and public transportation
hubs are common locations for incidents of street crime.
12. (U) For the latest security information, Americans living
and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the
Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet web site at
http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide
Cautions, Public Announcements, and Travel Warnings can be
found. Up-to-date information on security can also be
obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S.,
line at 1-317-472-2328. These numbers are available from
8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday
(except U.S. federal holidays).
ARNALL