Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07SEOUL552
2007-02-26 08:53:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Seoul
Cable title:
COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR EAP/MLS DIRECTOR RAPSON
how-toVZCZCXYZ0018 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHUL #0552/01 0570853 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 260853Z FEB 07 FM AMEMBASSY SEOUL TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3050 INFO RUEHBK/AMEMBASSY BANGKOK 6543 RUEHHI/AMEMBASSY HANOI 2058 RUEHPF/AMEMBASSY PHNOM PENH 0291 RUEHGO/AMEMBASSY RANGOON 2451 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 2194 RUEHVN/AMEMBASSY VIENTIANE 1119
UNCLAS SEOUL 000552
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
PLEASE PASS TO EAP/MLS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OTRA KS TH BM LAS VM CB JA
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR EAP/MLS DIRECTOR RAPSON
REF: STATE 20801
UNCLAS SEOUL 000552
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
PLEASE PASS TO EAP/MLS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OTRA KS TH BM LAS VM CB JA
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR EAP/MLS DIRECTOR RAPSON
REF: STATE 20801
1. (U) Embassy Seoul warmly welcomes and grants country
clearance for the March 9-11, 2007 official visit to Seoul by
EAP/MLS Director Robert Rapson. A notional schedule will
follow separately.
CONTACT INFORMATION
--------------
2. (U) Control officer for the visit is Political Officer
Andrew Bennett.
Office telephone: (82)(2) 397-4372
Embassy operator: (82)(2) 397-4114 then press "0"
Cell phone: (82)(10) 6480-4372
Fax number: (82)(2) 733-4791
Unclassified email: bennettao@state.gov
SIPDIS
SIPTNet email: bennettao@state.sgov.gov
LODGING
--------------
3. (U) Embassy has reserved a room at the Seoul Plaza Hotel
for the nights of March 9-10, 2007 at per diem rates,
including early check-in on March 9 and special upgrade to
business room. The reservation confirmation number is
270679. The hotel phone number is (82-2) 771-2200.
Breakfast, Lounge Floor, and fitness access are included in
the rate. Cancellation policy is 24 hours prior to arrival
to avoid one-night penalty.
TRAVELERS NOTE
--------------
4. (U) All official travelers must possess a Korean visa to
enter the country. Travelers may contact the nearest Korean
consulate/embassy to obtain a visa.
5. (U) An airport tax of KRW27,000 (approximately USD27) is
usually included in the cost of the ticket. Upon departure,
diplomatic passport holders may claim reimbursement at the
tax refund center located near the duty-free shops beyond the
security check area.
TRANSPORTATION
--------------
6. (U) Per Embassy policy, we cannot meet official visitors
on arrival unless they hold the rank of Ambassador, Deputy
Assistant Secretary, and above. Transportation from Incheon
International Airport into the heart of the city is readily
available by taxi. An airport/hotel shuttle (KAL limousine)
also runs every 30 minutes during the day to first class
hotels downtown for KRW13,000 (approximately USD13).
Availability may be limited, however, late in the evening.
CELL PHONES
--------------
7. (U) Please be advised that not all cell phones work in
Korea. Travelers must first check with their service
provider. Blackberrys are likewise unusable in Korea.
THREAT ADVISORY
--------------
8. (U) Americans in Seoul are subject to worldwide threat
from international terrorists, although we have no
information to suggest any specific terrorists threats
directed at Americans here. Political demonstrations occur
frequently in Seoul, and are occasionally anti-American.
Americans can minimize personal risk by staying away from
demonstrations and by avoiding confrontation or altercations
with protesters. While relatively infrequent by U.S.
standards, street crime does occur. Most reported crimes
involve pickpocketing in tourist areas and are predominantly
non-violent in nature. The security precautions a person
would take in any large city are appropriate throughout South
Korea. Police are considered capable and well trained.
Seoul metropolitan authorities staff English-speaking
personnel 24 hours daily to handle local emergencies.
Telephone numbers are as follows: 112 police emergency, 119
fire & ambulance.
9. (SBU) One must assume that hotel rooms, telephones,
cellular phones, and fax machines may be monitored. Official
travelers should ensure that hard-copy and electronic
sensitive information is not left in hotel rooms. As a
precautionary measure, visitors are advised NOT to discuss
sensitive or classified information in uncontrolled areas.
Computers, to include laptops and PDAs, are NOT allowed in
the Embassy except with prior clearance/permission from the
RSO office.
OTHER INFO
--------------
10. (U) For comprehensive information on South and North
Korean politics and economies, please reference the Embassy's
new classified website at http://www.state.sgov.gov.
VERSHBOW
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
PLEASE PASS TO EAP/MLS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OTRA KS TH BM LAS VM CB JA
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR EAP/MLS DIRECTOR RAPSON
REF: STATE 20801
1. (U) Embassy Seoul warmly welcomes and grants country
clearance for the March 9-11, 2007 official visit to Seoul by
EAP/MLS Director Robert Rapson. A notional schedule will
follow separately.
CONTACT INFORMATION
--------------
2. (U) Control officer for the visit is Political Officer
Andrew Bennett.
Office telephone: (82)(2) 397-4372
Embassy operator: (82)(2) 397-4114 then press "0"
Cell phone: (82)(10) 6480-4372
Fax number: (82)(2) 733-4791
Unclassified email: bennettao@state.gov
SIPDIS
SIPTNet email: bennettao@state.sgov.gov
LODGING
--------------
3. (U) Embassy has reserved a room at the Seoul Plaza Hotel
for the nights of March 9-10, 2007 at per diem rates,
including early check-in on March 9 and special upgrade to
business room. The reservation confirmation number is
270679. The hotel phone number is (82-2) 771-2200.
Breakfast, Lounge Floor, and fitness access are included in
the rate. Cancellation policy is 24 hours prior to arrival
to avoid one-night penalty.
TRAVELERS NOTE
--------------
4. (U) All official travelers must possess a Korean visa to
enter the country. Travelers may contact the nearest Korean
consulate/embassy to obtain a visa.
5. (U) An airport tax of KRW27,000 (approximately USD27) is
usually included in the cost of the ticket. Upon departure,
diplomatic passport holders may claim reimbursement at the
tax refund center located near the duty-free shops beyond the
security check area.
TRANSPORTATION
--------------
6. (U) Per Embassy policy, we cannot meet official visitors
on arrival unless they hold the rank of Ambassador, Deputy
Assistant Secretary, and above. Transportation from Incheon
International Airport into the heart of the city is readily
available by taxi. An airport/hotel shuttle (KAL limousine)
also runs every 30 minutes during the day to first class
hotels downtown for KRW13,000 (approximately USD13).
Availability may be limited, however, late in the evening.
CELL PHONES
--------------
7. (U) Please be advised that not all cell phones work in
Korea. Travelers must first check with their service
provider. Blackberrys are likewise unusable in Korea.
THREAT ADVISORY
--------------
8. (U) Americans in Seoul are subject to worldwide threat
from international terrorists, although we have no
information to suggest any specific terrorists threats
directed at Americans here. Political demonstrations occur
frequently in Seoul, and are occasionally anti-American.
Americans can minimize personal risk by staying away from
demonstrations and by avoiding confrontation or altercations
with protesters. While relatively infrequent by U.S.
standards, street crime does occur. Most reported crimes
involve pickpocketing in tourist areas and are predominantly
non-violent in nature. The security precautions a person
would take in any large city are appropriate throughout South
Korea. Police are considered capable and well trained.
Seoul metropolitan authorities staff English-speaking
personnel 24 hours daily to handle local emergencies.
Telephone numbers are as follows: 112 police emergency, 119
fire & ambulance.
9. (SBU) One must assume that hotel rooms, telephones,
cellular phones, and fax machines may be monitored. Official
travelers should ensure that hard-copy and electronic
sensitive information is not left in hotel rooms. As a
precautionary measure, visitors are advised NOT to discuss
sensitive or classified information in uncontrolled areas.
Computers, to include laptops and PDAs, are NOT allowed in
the Embassy except with prior clearance/permission from the
RSO office.
OTHER INFO
--------------
10. (U) For comprehensive information on South and North
Korean politics and economies, please reference the Embassy's
new classified website at http://www.state.sgov.gov.
VERSHBOW