Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BELGRADE17
2007-01-08 14:10:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Belgrade
Cable title:  

COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR YOULIANA IVANOVA

Tags:  OTRA SR 
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VZCZCXYZ0001
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBW #0017 0081410
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 081410Z JAN 07
FM AMEMBASSY BELGRADE
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 0031
UNCLAS BELGRADE 000017 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OTRA SR

SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR YOULIANA IVANOVA

REF: SECSTATE 649

UNCLAS BELGRADE 000017

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OTRA SR

SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR YOULIANA IVANOVA

REF: SECSTATE 649


1. Embassy Belgrade grants country clearance to Ms. Youliana
Ivanova, Serbia Desk Officer, from January 17 to February 2, 2007,
for the purpose of participation in the OSCE election observation
team, and to conduct an embassy orientation tour. Control Officer
for this visit will be Demian Smith, Political Officer, Tel:
(381-11) 306-4686 (office),(381-63) 654-940 (mobile).


2. All official visitors who expect to stay more than five business
days are required to attend a RSO security briefing held Tuesdays
and Thursdays at 11:00am at the Embassy. Official visitors who
expect to stay more than five business days are also required to
conduct a security out-brief with the RSO. Visitors staying less
than five days should review the TDY Briefing document available on
the Embassy Intranet site.


3. 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. The after hours (Post 1)
telephone number is 381-11-306-4679. As requested, one single room
has been reserved at the Moskva Hotel, telephone (381-11) 268-6255,
fax (381-11) 268- 8389, for the nights of January 23-26, 2007 and
February 1, 2007. The Embassy room rate is Euro 119. Travelers are
responsible for payment of all charges made at the hotel. Please
note that telephone calls made from the Moskva hotel are expensive
and international calling cards do not work in Serbia. In addition
to cash, the Moskva Hotel accepts American Express, Visa, Master,
and Diners Club cards, or travelers' checks for payment of room
charges.


4. Travelers on official travel to Belgrade are
exempt from Value-Added Tax (VAT) on hotel bills.


5. Credit cards are accepted at hotels, restaurants and major
supermarkets in Belgrade; however, for travel within Serbia outside
Belgrade travelers should bring enough cash for expenses.
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. The Raiffeisen Bank ATM is available at
the Embassy's Post One lobby. However, this machine does not accept
Mastercard, American Express nor Diners Club cards.


6. American citizens do not need visas to enter Serbia for a stay
up to 90 days. Upon arrival in Belgrade, the Embassy will meet and
assist you on arrival at the airport. On departure, you should be
aware that some US carrier connections via major hubs around Europe
require an overnight in transit. Personnel not staying in a hotel
are
required to register with local police within 24 hours of arrival.

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES


7. Travelers entering Serbia with more than 2000 Euros in cash are
required to declare all currency upon entry and obtain from customs
officials a declaration form that must be presented at departure.
Failure to comply may result in the confiscation of all funds. The
U.S. Embassy has been contacted by many American citizens who have
failed to comply with this requirement and consequently had
thousands
of dollars seized by the Government of Serbia. It is advisable to
contact the Embassy of Serbia in Washington for specific information
regarding customs requirements.

SECURITY


8. 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.


MOORE