Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07KABUL998
2007-03-27 02:56:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kabul
Cable title:  

COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR OFFICE OF WEAPONS REMOVAL

Tags:  AMGT ASEC AFIN AF 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBUL #0998 0860256
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 270256Z MAR 07
FM AMEMBASSY KABUL
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7078
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

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