UNCLAS PRISTINA 000072

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MK OTRA PREL
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED TO GARY D. ROBBINS

REF: SECSTATE 9142


1. US Office Pristina welcomes and grants country clearance to
EUR/RPM Director Gary D. Robbins to visit Pristina on January 30 and
31, 2007. The purpose of the visit is to consult with U.S. Office
and visits to OSCE field missions. Control officer will be
Political Officer AJ Rei-Perrine, who can be reached at: office
381-38-549-516 ext. 3195; GSM 377-44-500-972; fax 381-38-549-890.


2. Post understands that Mr. Robbins has made his own arrangements
for transportation between Skopje and Pristina. Post will coordinate
arrangements for transportation to official meetings during the
visit. Accommodations have been confirmed at Hotel Baci.


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