WELCOME TO NATO FOR A/S RICHARD A. BOUCHER AND MS.

UNCLAS USNATO 000085 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PARM PREL OTRA OVIP BE SUBJECT: WELCOME TO NATO FOR A/S RICHARD A. BOUCHER AND MS. CAITLIN HAYDEN MARCH 6-7, 2008 REF: STATE 020623 ¶1. Mission welcomes Ambassador Richard A. Boucher, Assistant Secretary, and Ms. Caitlin Hayden, Bureau of South and SIPDIS Central Asian Afairs to USNATO on March 6-7, 2008. Control Officer for the visit is USNATO Political Officer John Cockrell. Office: (32)2-724-3136 Mobile: (32)496-198-008 Fax: (32)2-724-3404. Administrative support is provided by Michon Halladay (32)2-724-3233. ¶2. Hotel reservations have been confirmed at the Hilton Hotel, Boulevard de Waterloo 38, 1000 Brussels. Tel: (32)2-504-1111 Fax: (32)2-504-2111. Confirmation contact is Sandra Slawinski of Joint Administrative Services GSO/TVC, mobile phone number (32)0479-976916. A/S Boucher and Ms. Hayden are both arriving on March 6 and departing on March 7. A/S Boucher may proceed to the S/ES control room on the 17th floor for room key. A/S Boucher does not need to check in or check out of the hotel. Ms. Hayden will need to check in and out of the hotel at the front desk. ¶3. USNATO Political Officer John Cockrell will be at the Brussels International Airport in anticipation of Jet Airways Flt 0230's arrival at 0720 to meet A/S Boucher and Ms. Hayden. Transportation has been arranged to and from the airport and their meetings throughout the trip. NATO visitor passes will be distributed by Mr. Cockrell at the airport. The schedule has been passed via e-mail. ¶4. For security reasons, all visitors, even those with green NATO badges, must present two pieces of identification or their blue State Department-issued badge to the Marine Guard before being admitted into the U.S. Mission. Visitors must also leave cell phones and other electronic equipment with the Marine Guard. Mission appreciates your cooperation. ¶5. Computer and Electronics Usage: Inter-agency security standards prohibit the introduction or use of non-USG owned computer hardware and software at all USG diplomatic facilities. Cell phones, palm pilots, radios and other convenience electronics are prohibited in all secure areas of the Mission. Travelers who anticipate having special needs in terms of either access or computer usage should contact the RSO office before arriving at post. ¶6. Regarding money, there is a branch of the ING Bank at NATO which has an ATM that accepts U.S. bank/credit union cards on the "PLUS" system. Numerous downtown banks also have ATM machines. Traveler's checks can be exchanged in most banks. On Tuesday and Thursday mornings, there is a cashier at USNATO to which TDY visitors with travel orders have access. ¶7. Threat Assessment: A worldwide caution regarding the threat of transnational terrorism was issued by the Department of State. (Please consult the Department's website for text: HTTP:HTravel.State.Gov.) In light of this caution and the events of September 11, 2001, all visitors are encouraged to assess their security posture, and be alert to their surroundings. All visitors should exercise caution while traveling abroad as U.S. citizens and facilities are often the target of groups demonstrating opposition to the U.S. foreign policy. ¶8. Belgium remains a relatively safe country but as a result of the war in Iraq, and sentiments expressed by its citizens against the war, American visitors are advised to exercise caution and avoid anti-American demonstrations. Also, it is prudent not to wear clothes or carry articles with logos and emblems associated with the United States at this time. By taking reasonable precautions, visitors should enjoy an uneventful stay. However, purse snatching and pick-pocketing are occurring more frequently. In Brussels, pick-pocketing and purse snatching are more prevalent in the metro system (subway, bus, tram) and at Brussels' three major train stations: Gare du Nord (North Station),Gare Central (Central Station),and especially Gare du Midi (South Station). Extra caution should be used at the Gare Centrale Station. Victims have been asked for assistance by someone who appeared lost and anxious to catch their train. As the victim responds to the request, a third person appears and steals laptop computers, and other related travel items. According to the police, this is a new strategy by criminal gangs operating at Central Station. Apparently they prefer platforms 3 and 4, used by trains going to the airport and obviously carrying the best category of potential victims. Valuables should never be left unattended in vehicles and car doors should always be kept locked when driving. Carry only a minimum amount of cash, credit cards and ID. Expensive jewelry, financial records, address books and other personal effects should be left at home or stored in a safe place during your visit. ¶9. Emergency numbers for the Police and Medical Assistance are 101 and 100 respectively, and for cellular phones (locally) 112. Visitors to Belgium requiring additional information should contact the Brussels Regional Security Office at (32)2-508-2370 (if dialing locally, 02-508-2370). ¶10. Please advise if further assistance is needed. NULAND