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