COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR LEGATT GREGORY B. GROVES FOR

UNCLAS WELLINGTON 000029 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS PLEASE PASS TO LEGATT CANBERRA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC JUS XB XV SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR LEGATT GREGORY B. GROVES FOR TRAVEL TO RAROTONGA, JAN 17-20, 2007 REF: CANBERRA 00038 ¶1. (SBU) Embassy Wellington welcomes and grants clearances for Canberra Legal Attache Gregory B. Groves to travel to Rarotonga, Cook Islands from January 17-20, 2007. The purpose of this visit is to meet with representatives from the Cook Islands Police Service and provide information on any training needs that the police service may require. ¶2. (U) Embassy understands that country clearance is the only assistance required and that lodging and transportation have already been secured. ¶3. (SBU) Embassy point of contact is RSO James Doherty. Contact details are as follows: Office: 644-462-6013 Fax: 644-462-6070 Cell: 027-451-2537 Email: dohertyjp@state.gov ¶4. (SBU) Security Assessment -- The Cook Islands is a Parliamentary democracy in free association with New Zealand, on which they rely for defense and assistance in meeting low-level security threats. The Embassy is not aware of any specific threats to U.S. facilities or personnel at this time in the Cook Islands. However, in light of the worldwide security alert, all visitors should heighten their security awareness and report any unusual incidents to the Regional Security Office at the Embassy in Wellington, New Zealand (64-4-462-6000). (SBU) Following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the U.S. and the 2002 and 2005 terrorist bombings in Bali, there has been concern that terrorists might seek to take advantage of the low level of security maintained in small island states such as the Cook Islands in order to target tourists in previously safe destinations. New Zealand has worked with the Cook Islands to improve airport security in response to this possibility. (U) As a result of recent military action in Iraq, there is a potential for retaliatory actions to be taken against U.S. citizens and interests throughout the world. Public demonstrations carry the potential for precipitating violence directed at American citizens. (SBU) U.S. Government facilities worldwide remain at a hightened state of alert and some have drawn down their dependents and/or personnel. These facilities may temporarily close or suspend public services from time to time due to security reasons. In those instances, U.S. embassies and consulates will make every effort to provide emergency services to American citizens. Monitor the local news and maintain contact with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. ¶5. (U) Crime -- Appropriate common sense precautions should be taken, especially at night, to avoid becoming an easy target opportunity for pickpockets and thieves. ¶6. (U) Weather -- Severe cyclones present a threat during the hurricane season; however, this is generally only from November to March. McCormick