SERBIA COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR INR/B OFFICERS

UNCLAS BELGRADE 001495 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PINR OTRA BK MW SR SUBJECT: SERBIA COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR INR/B OFFICERS REF: STATE 144825 ¶1. (U) Embassy Belgrade grants country clearance and welcomes the visit of INR/B officers Amanda Timko and Katherine Kaminksi for the period of November 6 to 8, for consultations with embassy officers. Embassy control officer for this visit will be POL officer Bianca Menendez: (381-11) 306-4654 (office),or (381-65) 564-9330 (mobile). ¶2. (U) The Embassy's offices are located at Kneza Milosa 50, Belgrade. The Embassy's switchboard telephone number is (381-11) 361-9344; the fax number is (381-11) 361-8230. Normal Embassy working hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. POL will coordinate lodging arrangements. No specific assistance is requested of the Embassy. ¶3. (U) Credit cards are not yet widely used in Serbia and travelers should bring enough cash for expenses. The Hyatt, as well as several other large hotels and some upscale restaurants now accept credit cards. The Hyatt also offers accommodation exchange for their guests and will exchange dollars, euros and all standard travelers' checks into local currency, but will not exchange local currency into US dollars for foreign visitors upon departure. Accommodation exchange is available through the Embassy cashier with a copy of your travel orders. There is a $1,000.00 per week limit. Personal and travelers' checks are acceptable at the Embassy. ¶4. (U) Each visitor, regardless of length of stay, must bring/forward fiscal data to pay for direct costs of the visit. Each agency, organization, or visiting delegation will be charged for the actual costs attributed to their visit. Direct charge costs include, but are not limited to: American and LES staff overtime (e.g., expediter, accommodation exchange and representational event support),field travel-lodging and M&IE by Embassy employees, vehicle rentals, long distance telephone calls, equipment rentals, office supplies and all other costs that are directly attributable to the visit. Also, for TDYers over thirty (30) days, there is a charge for ICASS support services. If your sponsoring agency is not signed up for ICASS services at post, please be prepared to sign a MOU for ICASS support services upon arrival. The agency should provide post with a written communication, generated by the traveler's headquarters that confirms the agency will pay ICASS charges for the TDYer, provides the agency ICASS billing code the TDY support charges should be applied to, and authorizes the traveler to sign the ICASS invoice generated by the TDY module. Where travel is urgent, the TDYers should bring this documentation with them to ensure there are no interruptions in the provision of service. Post will not provide any service to a TDYer staying in excess of thirty days without provision of this documentation before day 31 of the TDY. ¶5. (U) U.S. citizens are no longer required to obtain visas for visits up to 90 days. On departure, you should be aware that some US carrier connections via major hubs around Europe require an overnight in transit. SECURITY ¶6. (U) Official U.S. presence has been continuous in Belgrade since October 2000 and personnel have experienced few untoward incidents. The impression given by the general public is that there is support for the return of USG personnel. However, visitors should not take photos of buildings damaged or destroyed in the NATO bombing campaign. Random street crimes, such as pickpocketing and car vandalism, are the most commonly reported incidents. There are very serious information security concerns and strict security procedures are to be maintained regarding computer processing and sensitive discussions. All official visitors who expect to stay more than five business days are required to attend an RSO security briefing, held Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11:00am. Official visitors are also required to conduct a security out-brief with the RSO. MUNTER