VATICAN: COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR ANGELA CERVETTI

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 VATICAN 000141 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OTRA VT SUBJECT: VATICAN: COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR ANGELA CERVETTI REF: STATE 137199 ¶1. (U) Embassy Vatican is delighted to welcome Angela Cervetti for consultations during her visit to Rome October 12-16, and grants country clearance. ¶2. (U) Control officer will be Management Officer Peter Ganser. Tel: 39.06.4674.3439 Fax: 39.06.575.8346 Mobile: 39.334.636.5069 Email: ganserpj@state.gov ¶3. (SBU) Hotel reservations have been made for the nights of October 12-15 at the Hotel Savoy, Via Ludovisi 15 (near Via Veneto),tel: 39.06.421.551. Daily rate is Euro 191.00 per night with breakfast. 4 . (U) General information on Vatican City, Rome and Italy: -- Embassy Vatican switchboard number is 39.06.4674.3425 during business hours. After hours, call Embassy Rome switchboard at 39.06.4674.1. -- 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. Please be advised that there has been a noted increase in the appearance of "skimming devices" on ATM machines in Italy. The devices are attached to ATM machines and are able to capture account information stored on an ATM card's magnetic strip. Along with the card reader and pin-hole video camera, which is normally mounted over the keypad to record the pin number entered, criminals are able to access the account. Travelers should use ATM machines that are inside secured banks/businesses, and are in well-lit areas. The keypad should be covered with one hand as you enter your PIN code, and be conscious of evidence of tampering or other irregularities on the ATM machines. 3.(U) Visa Requirements: Italian visas are not required for TDYers holding diplomatic, official or tourist passports providing they will be working in Italy for 90 days or less. ¶4. (SBU) 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. 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 arrivals and departures. 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 in crowded tourist areas. Pick pocketing and purse snatching occur regularly. Pickpockets usually work in teams and target tourists. Traveling on the Autostrada throughout Italy can be VATICAN 00000141 002 OF 002 hazardous. Rest stops are often hangouts for thieves. ¶5. (U) Privately-owned laptops and personal computers are prohibited in all classified facilities. Cellular telephones and palm pilots are not permitted in CAA areas. Travelers with USG-owned unclassified laptop or notebook computers, peripherals, diskettes or tapes must obtain RSO/IMO authorization for access. USG-owned classified computers must arrive at post via classified diplomatic pouch. Questions concerning other types of electronic devices and magnetic media should be directed to the IMO or RSO. ¶6. (U) For further information regarding travel in Italy/Holy See, consult: --Dept. of State's Consular Information Sheet http://www.travel.state.gov/italy.html or --Embassy Rome's Internet Site on travel in Italy: http://www.usembassy.it/usa/ SANDROLINI