Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08USNATO98
2008-03-17 06:15:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Mission USNATO
Cable title:  

WELCOME TO NATO FOR SENATOR CHRISTOPHER DODD AND

Tags:  PARM PREL OTRA OVIP BE 
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VZCZCXRO6456
OO RUEHBL
DE RUEHNO #0098/01 0770615
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 170615Z MAR 08
FM USMISSION USNATO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1719
INFO RUEHBS/AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS 6487
RUEHDL/AMEMBASSY DUBLIN 0291
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0380
RUEHBL/AMCONSUL BELFAST 0001
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

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
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