UK COUNTRY CLEARANCE IS GRANTED TO NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL POLICY DIRECTOR JOHN P. WALTERS AND STAFF

C O N F I D E N T I A L LONDON 002242



SIPDIS



E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/02/2018

TAGS: OTRA, UK

SUBJECT: UK COUNTRY CLEARANCE IS GRANTED TO NATIONAL DRUG

CONTROL POLICY DIRECTOR JOHN P. WALTERS AND STAFF



REF: CABLE FROM WHITE HOUSE SITUATION ROOM



Classified By: JIM MCDONALD, Reason: 1.4 (d)



1. Embassy London is pleased to grant country clearance to

National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) Director John P. Walters

and staff to visit London o/a September 5-13, 2008 for

participation in bilateral meetings with the UK government.



2. --------------

Visit officer

--------------

Jim McDonald, Political Officer

Embassy phone is (44) 20-7894-0131 or IVG 492-0131

Fax (44) 20-7894-0117

Cell: 07843-313-820.

Email mcdonaldjp@state.gov.



3. Confirmed reservations are held for Walters and staff at:

The Hyatt Regency Churchill, located at 30 Portman Square,

London W1A 4ZX. The telephone number is (44)(0)20 7486-5800

and the fax number is (44)(0)20 7486-1255. (Note: the zero

in parentheses (0) is required when dialing in the UK.)



4. Hotel Check-In:

Please note that the check-in time at all London hotels is

1400. Early check-in can be requested but can only be

guaranteed if the room is reserved and paid for from the

night prior to arrival. Check-out time is generally 1200.

Please also note that the hotel will require a credit card on

check-in. Travelers may, of course, pay on departure with

cash. Travelers should NOT exchange money at the hotel, as

the much less favorable rate of exchange may push the room

rate over London's per diem.



5. Changes/Cancellation of Reservations:

Any changes to hotel reservations MUST be made 48 hours in

advance of arrival. Changes made after that time may incur a

night,s lodging charge. Please make all changes through

your Visit Officer and not direct with the hotel.



6. Accommodation Exchange:

ATMs are widely available in London and accept most major US

ATM cards. ATM and credit card transactions obtain the best

available exchange rates. Please exercise normal precautions

(i.e. concealing PIN number) when using ATMs. Exchange

services are available from well-known firms at the airports

and train stations. In addition, the U.S. Embassy cashier is

prepared to exchange U.S. dollars for Pounds Sterling (BPS)

during their office hours for official TDYers for limited

amounts. U.S. citizen direct-hire TDYers may cash personal

checks; all others should bring cash or traveler,s checks.



7. For up-to-date information regarding health concerns

visit the internet at http://www.who.int/country/gbr/en/



8. Security Clearance:

If confirmation of the level of traveler's security clearance

was not contained in the original country clearance request,

please send it via cable to facilitate unescorted access to

the Embassy as required by 12 FAM 443.3.



9. Security Information for the United Kingdom:

Our current threat assessment indicates there are no known

direct immediate security problems that would affect travel

to mainland UK. Travelers planning to stay longer than 30

days are required to schedule a security briefing with the

RSO. For additional threat assessment information regarding

the United Kingdom and/or Europe, you may contact DS/ITA in

the State Department at (202) 663-0787.



-- Aviation security: Travelers are advised to check with

transportation security authorities to obtain current

aviation security information.



-- Terrorism. The United Kingdom is stable and modern, but

shares with the rest of the world an increased threat of

terrorist incidents of international origin, as was shown

with the bombing attack in London July 7, 2005. Visitors are

reminded to remain vigilant with regard to their personal

security and to exercise caution at all times. The British

Home Secretary has urged its citizens to be alert and

vigilant by, for example, keeping an eye out for suspect

packages or people acting suspiciously at Underground and

railway stations and airports, and reporting anything



suspicious to the appropriate authorities by contacting the

free anti-terrorist telephone hotline on 0800-789-321.

Travelers should regularly monitor the Department,s internet

web site at http://travel.state.gov where the current

Worldwide Caution Public Announcement can be found. In

addition, if visitors notice any suspicious activity or have

any security concerns, the embassy Regional Security Officer

(RSO) should be notified as soon as possible.



From time to time during periods of heightened threat of

terrorism, the UK government deems it necessary to raise

levels of security activity. Heightened activity may include

the use of troops, who remain at all times under the control

of the police and are part of long-standing contingency

plans. Military personnel and equipment may be deployed at

airports and other transportation links, or other public

locations. For more information about UK safety initiatives,

consult the UK Civil Contingencies Secretariat website at

www.ukresilience.gov.uk.



Political demonstrations are well policed and, except at

times in Northern Ireland, generally orderly. Although the

political situation in Northern Ireland has dramatically

improved since the signing of the Good Friday Agreements in

1998, incidents of terrorist violence have, nevertheless,

occurred in the past few years. Within Northern Ireland,

flash-points for sectarian confrontations still exist, but

they are generally removed from areas where tourists

congregate. Sporadic incidents of street violence often

erupt during the summer marching season around the July 12

public holiday. As a result, American citizens traveling in

Northern Ireland have experienced delays and disruption.



-- Street Crime: London, like other urban centers, has a

certain amount of street crime. Although on the increase,

violent criminal confrontations and the use of firearms are

relatively rare in the UK. Burglars and pickpockets are very

active and visitors are encouraged to safeguard their

valuables and not carry large amounts of cash or unneeded

credit cards. Visitors should be particularly careful on

crowded streets, in entertainment areas, in department

stores, restaurants, or on crowded public transportation.

Travelers are specifically warned not to leave valuables in

hotel rooms, regardless of the stature of the hotel.

Recently there has been a measurable increase in street

crimes involving the theft of cell phones. Visitors should

avoid as much as possible using cell phones on the streets or

in other public places. The police and other emergency

services in the UK are excellent. The nationwide telephone

number to summon emergency assistance is 999.



10. London Airport Arrival Information:



-- Heathrow Airport: The best way to get from Heathrow to

Central London is to take the Heathrow Express train. It

leaves every fifteen minutes from all Heathrow terminals.

Travel time is fifteen minutes to London's Paddington

Station. Service operates from 0510 to 2347 daily. The cost

is 14.50 pounds one-way if ticket is purchased from a kiosk

prior to boarding, or 16.50 pounds when purchased aboard the

train. Paddington Station is about a ten-minute taxi ride to

central London. Taxi (black) cab service is also available

from Heathrow to central London and the fare ranges from

60-100 pounds, but could exceed that, depending on traffic

conditions. (Prices as of March, 2006)



11. Embassy London looks forward to your visit.





Visit London's Classified Website:

http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Unit ed_Kingdom



LEBARON