Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07PRISTINA103
2007-02-07 14:36:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Pristina
Cable title:  

COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED TO BRAD BELL

Tags:  OTRA ASEC UNMIK SR 
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VZCZCXYZ0016
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHPS #0103 0381436
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 071436Z FEB 07
FM USOFFICE PRISTINA
TO RUEHVI/AMEMBASSY VIENNA 0397
INFO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7005
RUEHBW/AMEMBASSY BELGRADE 3479
UNCLAS PRISTINA 000103 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OTRA ASEC UNMIK SR
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED TO BRAD BELL

REF: VIENNA 283

UNCLAS PRISTINA 000103

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OTRA ASEC UNMIK SR
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED TO BRAD BELL

REF: VIENNA 283


1. US Office Pristina welcomes and grants country clearance to U.S.
Liaison to UNOSEK Brad Bell to visit Pristina February 8-10, 2007.
The purpose of this visit is meetings with the Unity Team and USOP
regard the Ahtisaari proposal. Control Officer for this visit will
be Political/Economic Chief, Tom Yazdgerdi, who can be reached at:
office 381-38-549-516 ext. 3146; GSM 377-44-501-750; fax
381-38-502-107.


2. Post will coordinate arrangements with Belgrade for ABL
transfer. Accommodations have been confirmed in USOP/USAID TDY
quarters.


3. Kosovo is a cash (Euro) economy. There are a few operating
ATMs. A few large stores and some hotels take credit cards. Not all
ATMS are reliable and personnel should use normal ATM safety
precautions. TDY personnel should bring sufficient cash or
travelers' checks to cover all hotel and other incidental expenses
and may exchange dollars for Euros from 9:00am-11:30am and
1:00pm-3:30pm each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday and
9:00am-11:30am each Thursday at the U.S. Office cashier. Only USOP
accepts travelers' checks. Reverse accommodation is available at
the end of the visit.


4. Security issues: The security situation in Kosovo is fluid and
there is still risk from occasional episodes of violence; incidents
of ethnic violence continue to occur. Land mines remain in some
outlying areas. Civil society institutions generally do not yet
meet Western standards. There is criminal activity against
internationals, including purse snatching and residential break-ins
and general precautions are recommended. KFOR is deployed
throughout Kosovo. Electronic devices such as laptops (personal or
official),PDA cell phones with cameras, and the like must be
approved for use in USOP facilities by an ISSO in consultation with
the RSO.


5. Travel to certain areas within Kosovo province requires fully
armored vehicles and advance RSO approval. To facilitate planning,
please provide travel itinerary to USOP in advance of arrival, as
same-day travel can be difficult to arrange. To provide appropriate
access to USOP facilities, visitors must ensure all necessary
security clearances are included with travel messages.


6. Please ensure ASEC tags are included to ensure proper
distribution. Specific questions regarding security may be
addressed to USOP's RSO or your control officer.

KAIDANOW