UK COUNTRY CLEARANCE IS GRANTED TO STAMILIO, LTC

UNCLAS LONDON 002627

SIPDIS

USDP-DETAINEE AFFAIRS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AMGT
SUBJECT: UK COUNTRY CLEARANCE IS GRANTED TO STAMILIO, LTC
DODSON AND LTCOL HAVRANEK

REF: SECDEF R162245Z OCT 08


1. Embassy London is pleased to grant country clearance to
Mr. Mark Stamilio, LTCOL John Havranek, and LTC James Dodson
to visit London October 19-20 to attend working level
meetings on ISAF detention policies and practices.


2. --------------
Visit Officer
--------------

Daniel McNicholas, Political Officer
Embassy Phone: 44-20-7894-0143
Fax: 44-20-7894-0117
Email: McNicholasdf@state.gov
Cell: 44-7909-990-352.

If calling from within the UK replace 44 with 0, if calling
from landline to landline within London, dial only the last
eight digits.


3. Confirmed reservations are held for Stamilio, Havranek
and Dodson at Marriott Grosvernor Square.The rate is within
per diem. The confirmation number are: Stamilio - 84274267,
Havranek, 84274449, and Dodson, 84274523.

London Marriott Grosvenor Square,
Grosvenor Square, London W1A 4AW.
Telephone number is (44)(0)20 7493-1232
Fax number is (44)(0)20 7491-3201.

If calling from within the UK replace 44 with 0; if calling
from landline within London, dial only the last eight digits.



4. Carry-on Luggage: Be advised that the limit for carry-on
baggage out of the UK is ONE bag only. In the U.S.and in
many other parts of Europe, travelers are allowed one piece
of carry-on and one personal item. The extra personal item
is not allowed on UK flights.


5. TDY Travelers requiring Opennet Email: please give
requests to your visit officer for London ISD at least 48
hours prior to arrival at post. The following information
must be provided: Duty Station Exchange Server Name, Duty
Station User ID, and Duty Station User Domain Name. If a
classified computer drive is required, please notify your
visit officer as soon as possible (minimum 72 hours prior to
arrival) by cable with the name and security clearance level
of the person who will be using the drive.

--------------
General Travel Information
--------------


6. 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.


7. 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.


8. Accommodation Exchange:
ATMs are widely available in London and accept most major
U.S. ATM cards. ATM and credit card transactions obtain the
best available exchange rates. Exchange services are
available from well-known firms at the airports and train
stations. In addition, Citibank has established a bank in
the embassy where official TDYers can exchange U.S. dollars
for British Pounds Sterling (BPS) during Citibank office
hours for limited amounts. U.S. citizen direct-hire TDYers
may cash personal checks; all others should bring cash or
traveler,s checks.


9. For up-to-date information regarding health concerns
visit the internet at http://www.who.int/country/gbr/en/



10. 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.


11. 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.


12. 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)


13. U.S. Embassy London Website:
Please visit our website for additional information:
http://london.usembassy.gov. Embassy London looks forward to
your visit.

Visit London's Classified Website:
http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Unit ed_Kingdom

LEBARON