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