COOK ISLANDS COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR ALAT BENJAMIN YEN, JUNE

UNCLAS WELLINGTON 000479 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE CANBERRA FOR LEGATT E.O. 12985: N/A TAGS: OTRA TSPA KSCA CW NZ SUBJECT: COOK ISLANDS COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR ALAT BENJAMIN YEN, JUNE 28 - JULY 3, 2007 REF: 07 CANBERRA 976 ¶1. (SBU) Embassy welcomes and grants country clearance to FBI Canberra Assistant Legal Attache Benjamin Yen for travel to Rarotonga, Cook Islands, from June 28 - July 3, 2007. The purpose of this visit is to conduct an interview of Deputy Commissioner of Police Maarametua O Tumataori Tetava for his application to the FBI National Academy. ¶2. (SBU) Embassy understands that country clearance is the only assistance requested. The point of contact for your visit is Regional Security Officer James Doherty. Contact details are as follows: Office: 644-462-6113 Fax: 644-462-6070 Cell: 027-451-2537 E-mail: DohertyJP@state.gov Security Assessment -------------- ¶3. (SBU) 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 (telephone (64)(4)462-6000, 24 hours/day). ¶4. (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. ¶5. (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. ¶6. (SBU) U.S. Government facilities worldwide remain at a heightened 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 for 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 American Embassy or U.S. Consulate. ¶7. (U) Crime: Appropriate common sense precautions should be taken, especially at night, to avoid becoming a target of opportunity. ¶8. (U) Weather: Severe cyclones present a threat during the hurricane season; however, this is generally only from November to March. McCormick