COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR JOHN YATES, SPECIAL

UNCLAS ROME 001889 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OTRA AORC IT SO KE SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR JOHN YATES, SPECIAL ENVOY FOR SOMALIA TO TRAVEL TO ROME, ITALY REF: NAIROBI 3492 ¶1. Embassy Rome grants country clearance to John Yates, Special Envoy to Somalia, to travel to Italy September 09-11, 2007 to attend the Somalia International Conflict Contact Group meeting. ¶2. Embassy control officer for this visit will be: Christopher Deutsch POLITICAL OFFICER CLASS E-MAIL: DeutschCM@STATE.SGOV.GOV UNCLASS E-MAIL: DeutschCM@STATE.GOV SIPDIS TEL: (39) 06-4674-2327 FAX: (39) 06-4674-2623 MOBILE: (39) 335-738-6752 ¶3. Reservations have been made at the Hotel Royal Splendide, via di Porta Pinciana, No. 14; telephone 39-06-421-689. The room rate is 245 euros per night, including breakfast and taxes. ¶4. GENERAL INFORMATION ON ROME AND ITALY -- The Embassy switchboard number is (39) 06-4674-1, and is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. -- Nextell world cell phones generally work in Italy, but post recommends checking with the provider prior to departure. In Italy, callers must dial 00 plus country code (1 for the U.S.) to make international calls. The country code for Italy is 39. -- Calling within Italy: To call from one city to the next, dial the city code (06 for Rome; 02 for Milan) plus the number. To dial any cell number in Italy, dial the number without the city code. -- Money exchange: The unit of currency throughout Italy is the Euro. Dollars or travelers checks can be legally exchanged for Euros at local exchange offices, hotels and the airport. Most major credit cards are accepted throughout Italy. ATM machines will accept many U.S. bank cards. ¶5. Security/Threat Assessment Due to many factors, including the ongoing global war on terrorism, American diplomatic facilities in Italy operate under a state of heightened security. The Department of State remains concerned about the continued threat of terrorist attacks, demonstrations and other violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests overseas. The July 2005 bombings in London have resulted in additional attention to security. Travelers should continue to monitor public announcements regarding worldwide caution. There have been several high-profile arrests in Italy of alleged terrorists with links to Al-Qaeda. Several groups including the Red Brigades, who flourished in Italy during the late seventies and early eighties, and later the Autonomists, have claimed responsibility for violent crimes in the past. Members are mostly radical students and disruptive youths. Workers' strikes can also affect transportation, and are sometimes called with as little as 24 hours notice. These strikes often result in the cancellation of local airline flights, and disruptions in local train, bus and metro operations. The U.S. Embassy advises citizens traveling or residing in Italy to avoid areas in which crowds are expected to gather, take common sense precautions, and follow news reports carefully. Italy continues to be under heightened public threat by al-Qaida and other Isalmic extremists for its continued participation in Iraq and Afghanistan, which may increase the potential for terrorist activity. We monitor the security environment closely and issue updated assessments, as warranted. Travelers should maintain a low profile; stay alert for unusual activity, for example surveillance; and avoid repetitious patterns and habits, i.e., vary routes and times of departures and arrivals. Visitors to U.S. diplomatic and military facilities should be aware that increased security measures are in effect at these locations. While there is presently no information available that indicates targeting of a specific individual, all visitors and resident USG personnel are encouraged to maintain a heightened state of security awareness. Unusual or suspicious incidents should be reported immediately to the RSO. Street crime occurs frequently, especially in large cities and at tourist locations. Visitors are warned to safeguard their valuables at all times, especially while walking along streets and when using public transportation. Extra care should be taken while in crowded tourist areas. Pickpockets usually work in teams and target tourists. Traveling on the Autostrada throughout Italy can be hazardous. Rest stops are often hangouts for thieves. For the latest security information, U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs internet web site at http://www.travel.state.gov. The "Worldwide Caution" Public Announcement, dated October 11, 2006, is available on that web site. The Consular Information Sheet provides additional general information on safety and security in italy. In addition to information on the Internet, travelers may obtain up-todate information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S. or outside the U.S, on a regular toll line at 1-202-510-4444. The U.S, Embassy Consular Section in Rome is located at Via Boncompagni 2. Our website is http://www.Italy.usembassy.gov U.S. CONSULATES ARE LOCATED AT: MILAN: VIA PRINCIPE AMEDEO, 2/10 FLORENCE: VIA LUNGARNO A. VESPUCCI, 38 NAPLES: PIAZZA DELLA REPUBBLICA CONSULAR AGENTS ARE LOCATED IN: GENOA: VIA DANTE 2 PALERMO: VIA VACCARINI VENICE: VENICE MARCO POLO AIRPORT, GENERAL AVIATION TERMINAL, VIALE GALILEO GALILEI ¶6. FISCAL DATA. In accordance with Department of State policy, post will directly charge each agency, organization or visiting delegation for the actual costs attributed to its visit. These costs include, but are not limited to American and Locally Engaged staff overtime; field travel by Embassy employee; transportation costs for official vehicles; rental of vehicles, cellular phones, and office equipment; charges for control rooms and office space; and the cost for representational events. All visitors requesting administrative support services must provide the Embassy with authorization and fiscal data (e.g. travel orders) against which the costs for requested items can be charged. This information should be cabled or faxed to the Embassy in advance of your arrival. Without a fund cite and authorization, post will not be able to provide vehicles, drivers, or other services. SPOGLI