WELCOME FOR SENATOR WILLIAM NELSON AND TRAVELING

UNCLAS USNATO 000346 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OREP AMGT ASEC AFIN USNATO SUBJECT: WELCOME FOR SENATOR WILLIAM NELSON AND TRAVELING PARTY JUNE 3-4, 2007 REF: STATE 73967 ¶1. Mission welcomes The Honorable William Nelson and traveling party June 3-4, 2007. Control officers for the visit are USNATO Political Officer Robert Kemp, Office Tel:(32)2-724-3125, Cell: (32) 0494.54.55.58, Fax: (32)2-724-3421 and Col. Brian Murtha, USMC, Special Assistant to the Commander USEUCOM/SACEUR, DSN: 314 423 4366, COMM: 32 (0)65 44 4366, Cell: 32 (0)476 59 6002. ¶2. Hotel reservations have been confirmed at Hilton Hotel the for Senator and Mrs. William Nelson; Mr. Peter Mitchell, Chief of Staff for Senator Nelson; Ms. Caroline Tess, Professional Staff Member, Senate Select Committee on Intelligence; Capt. Steve Vahsen, USN Escort Officer. Hotel information: Hilton, Boulevard de Waterloo, 38, 1000 Brussels. Tel: 32 2 504 1111. Fax: 32 2 504 2111. ¶3. Senator Nelson will be met upon arrival at the Charleroi Airport by Col. Murtha and upon arrival at the Hilton hotel the evening of June 3, by Mr. Robert Kemp. Transportation requirements have been arranged according to reftel and email correspondence. ¶4. Threat Assessment: A worldwide caution regarding the threat of transnational terrorism was issued by the Department of State. (Please consult the Department's website for text: HTTP:HTravel.State.Gov.) In light of this caution and the events of September 11, 2001, all visitors are encouraged to assess their security posture, and be alert to their surroundings. All visitors should exercise caution while traveling abroad as U.S. citizens and facilities are often the target of groups demonstrating opposition to the U.S. foreign policy. ¶5. Belgium remains a relatively safe country but as a result of the war in Iraq, and sentiments expressed by its citizens against the war, American visitors are advised to exercise caution and avoid anti-American demonstrations. Also, it is prudent not to wear clothes or carry articles with logos and emblems associated with the United States at this time. By taking reasonable precautions, visitors should enjoy an uneventful stay. However, purse snatching and pick-pocketing are occurring more frequently. In Brussels, pick-pocketing and purse snatching are more prevalent in the metro system (subway, bus, tram) and at Brussels' three major train stations: Gare du Nord (North Station),Gare Central (Central Station),and especially Gare du Midi (South Station). Extra caution should be used at the Gare Centrale Station. Victims have been asked for assistance by someone who appeared lost and anxious to catch their train. As the victim responds to the request, a third person appears and steals laptop computers, and other related travel items. According to the police, this is a new strategy by criminal gangs operating at Central Station. Apparently they prefer platforms 3 and 4, used by trains going to the airport and obviously carrying the best category of potential victims. Valuables should never be left unattended in vehicles and car doors should always be kept locked when driving. Carry only a minimum amount of cash, credit cards and ID. Expensive jewelry, financial records, address books and other personal effects should be left at home or stored in a safe place during your visit. ¶6. Emergency numbers for the Police and Medical Assistance are 101 and 100 respectively, and for cellular phones (locally) 112. Visitors to Belgium requiring additional information should contact the Brussels Regional Security Office at 32-2-508-2370 (if dialing locally, 02-508-2370). ¶7. Please advise if further assistance is needed. OLSON