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