WELCOME TO NATO FOR SENATOR CHRISTOPHER DODD AND

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 USNATO 000098 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PARM PREL OTRA OVIP BE SUBJECT: WELCOME TO NATO FOR SENATOR CHRISTOPHER DODD AND TRAVELING PARTY MARCH 16-18, 2008 REF: STATE 26934 ¶1. Mission welcomes The Honorable Christopher J. Dodd and traveling party March 16-18, 2008. Control officers for the visit are USNATO Political Officer Reece Smyth, Office Tel:(32)2-724-3268, Cell: (32)0496-198-007, Fax: (32)2-724-3421, USEU Financial Attache Barbara Matthews, Office Tel:(32)2-508-2670, Cell: (32)(0)479-667-419, and US Embassy to Belgium Economic Counselor Richard Eason, Office Tel:(32)2-508-2540, Cell: (32)0475-326-910. ¶2. Hotel reservations have been confirmed at Sheraton Hotel Brussels the for Senator Dodd; Mr. Joshua Blumenfeld, Personal Representative of the Member on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee; Mr. Shawn Maher, Staff Director of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs; and Major Jeffery P. Mersiowsky, USArmy Senate Liason. CODEL party arriving on March 17 and departing on March 18, 2008. Sheraton Hotel Brussels information: Sheraton, Place Rogier 3, 1210 Brussels. Tel:(32)2-224-3111. Fax:(32)2-224-3456. Confirmation numbers: Senator Dodd, 626506203; Mr. Blumenfeld, 006506210; Mr. Maher, 996506209; Mr. Mersiowsky, ¶016506210. ¶3. USNATO Political Officer Reece Smyth will be at the Brussels International Airport in anticipation of United Airways Flight 950's arrival at 0615 to meet Senator Dodd and party. Transportation has been arranged for the entire visit to Brussels. Two of the party's requested International Cell Phones and the Itinerary will be distributed by Mr. Smyth at the airport. The party will procede to the Hotel. ¶4. Per Diem for Senator Dodd, Mr. Blumenfeld and Mr. Maher will be disbursed by USEU Financial Attache Barbara Matthews. The party's third requested cell phone and all NATO visitor passes will be distributed by Ms. Matthews at USEU. The Train tickets departing Brussels Gare di Midi Station on March 18, 2008 will be distributed by Mr. Smyth at NATO. ¶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 �00A;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 USNATO 00000098 002 OF 002 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