COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR OFFICE OF WEAPONS REMOVAL

UNCLAS KABUL 000998 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/A, PM/WRA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AMGT ASEC AFIN AF SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR OFFICE OF WEAPONS REMOVAL AND ABATEMENT TEAM REF: STATE 32123 ¶1. U.S. Embassy Kabul welcomes and grants country clearance for Stuart Harris, Marcus Carpenter and Lauren Frese to travel to Afghanistan April 3-5 2007, per reftel. All travelers who possess U.S. Department of State badges should bring their ID for identification purposes and to obtain an Embassy ID. Control officer is Todd Bullock, UNCLAS email address: Bullockjt@state.gov; CLASSIFIED e-mail: BullockJT@state.sgov.gov telephone number: (93) 0798-018-941. Stuart Harris, Marcus Carpenter and Lauren Frese all hold TS clearance. ¶2. (SBU) Threat Assessment Guidelines: a. The security environment in Kabul and throughout Afghanistan is dangerous. There is continued potential for attacks against U.S. citizens and interests in Afghanistan. Terrorists do not distinguish between official and civilian targets. Terrorist actions may include, but are not limited to, rocket attacks, suicide operations, assassinations, kidnappings, hijackings, shootings or bombings. Potential exists in Kabul and the rest of the country for demonstrations, riots, bombings, and other violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests. b. Visitors are advised to maintain a level of vigilance and to heighten their security awareness while at post. American citizens have been victimized by vehicle-borne explosives and roadside bombs within the last year. Occasional rocket attacks in the vicinity of the Embassy compound are unpredictable and random. There have been incidents of carjackings and robberies directed against NGOs, journalists and diplomats carried out by aggressive and armed persons. The proliferation of weapons on the street is extensive. Host country and ISAF forces have had some success in making arrests and seizing weapons. However travel outside of Kabul remains extremely dangerous in many places, and travel within Kabul after dark should also be avoided. Due to restrictions on travel and limitations on available resources, TDY travelers should be prepared to expect delays and possible cancellations of events in Kabul and of proposed out-of-Kabul travel. c. All personnel are required to attend a RSO Security Briefing after arrival. Verification of security clearance level is required prior to the issuance of an identification card. Persons who will require unescorted access in the controlled access areas (CAA) are responsible for ensuring that security clearances are transmitted to post prior to their arrival. d. The U.S. Embassy maintains a 2400 curfew. However, changes in threat conditions may result in an earlier curfew on a temporary basis. The RSO must clear any travel outside of the city, as well as any proposed travel after dark. Travel during daylight hours is permitted, but must be performed in an armored vehicle. Anyone traveling off the compound must sign out on departure and back in upon returning to the compound. Personnel are advised to carry a radio or cell phone to maintain contact in the event of an emergency. e. Though the compound has been checked for mines and unexploded ordinance (UXO),there remains the remote possibility that a UXO or mine could remain. While in Afghanistan, do not touch anything suspicious, avoid picking up souvenirs, and immediately report any suspicious device to RSO personnel. Outside the compound, red rocks are uncleared mine areas, while white rocks are considered mine free areas. Be advised, however, there remains a 10% chance that unexploded mines remain in the mine cleared areas. For this reason, during all travel in Kabul or out of the city, travelers should remain on hard surface roads at all times. NEUMANN