NEW ZEALAND COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR TSAR PENNY ANDERSON TO

UNCLAS WELLINGTON 000354

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

STATE FOR EAP/ANP - DAN RICCI
HOMELAND SECURITY FOR TSA HQ, INT'L PROGRAMS, TSA-1,TSA-7
TSA HQ WASHINGTON DC FOR INT'L PROGRAMS, TSA-1, TSA-7

SIPDIS
SYDNEY FOR TSA REP

E.O. 12985: N/A
TAGS: KHLS EAIR ASEC PTER OTRA NZ
SUBJECT: NEW ZEALAND COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR TSAR PENNY ANDERSON TO
THE COOK ISLANDS

REF: SYDNEY 570


1. (SBU) Embassy welcomes and grants country clearance to Penny J.
Anderson, TSAR Sydney, to travel to Rarotonga, Cook Islands, from
June 6-10, 2006. The purpose of this visit is to conduct meetings
and a familiarization visit to Rarotonga Airport.


2. (SBU) Embassy point of contact is Economic Officer Joy Yamamoto.
Contact details are as follows:

Office: 644-462-6182
Fax: 644-472-3537
Cell: 027-446-4467
E-mail: YamamotoJO@state.gov


3. (U) With regard to hotels in the area, the Rarotongan Beach
Resort's rates are approx. NZD308/night which is approx USD180 (per
diem is USD87). According to Embassy's travel agent, only the very
cheapest properties in the Cook Islands would come within per diem
as they are based on twin share which is more usual. Hence the
single guest has to pay the equivalent of two people.

Security Assessment
--------------


4. (SBU) The Cook Islands is a Parliamentary democracy in free
association with New Zealand, on which they rely for defense and
assistance in meeting low-level security threats. The Embassy is
not aware of any specific threats to U.S. facilities or personnel at
this time in the Cook Islands. However, in light of the worldwide
security alert all visitors should heighten their security awareness
and report any unusual incidents to the Regional Security Office at
the Embassy in Wellington, New Zealand (telephone (64)(4)462-6000,
24 hours/day).


5. (SBU) Following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the
U.S. and the 2002 and 2005 terrorist bombings in Bali, there has
been concern that terrorists might seek to take advantage of the low
level of security maintained in small island states such as the Cook
Islands in order to target tourists in previously safe destinations.
New Zealand has worked with the Cook Islands to improve airport
security in response to this possibility.


6. (U) As a result of recent military action in Iraq, there is a
potential for retaliatory actions to be taken against U.S. citizens
and interests throughout the world. Public demonstrations carry the
potential for precipitating violence directed at American citizens.


7. (SBU) U.S. Government facilities worldwide remain at a heightened
state of alert and some have drawn down their dependents and/or
personnel. These facilities may temporarily close or suspend public
services from time to time for security reasons. In those
instances, U.S. embassies and consulates will make every effort to
provide emergency services to American citizens. Monitor the local
news and maintain contact with the nearest American Embassy or U.S.
Consulate.


8. (U) Crime: Appropriate common sense precautions should be taken,
especially at night, to avoid becoming a target of opportunity.


9. (U) Weather: Severe cyclones present a threat during the
hurricane season; however, this is generally only from November to
March.

McCormick