US embassy cable - 04WELLINGTON658

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 WELLINGTON 000658 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR EAP/ANP - THOMAS RAMSEY 
FOR H 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: OREP, AMGT, ASEC, AFIN, NZ, AS, CODEL, Country Clearance 
SUBJECT:  NEW ZEALAND COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR CODEL SHELBY, 
AUGUST 7 - 9, 2004. 
 
REF:  STATE 163811 
 
1.  Embassy warmly welcomes and grants country clearance to 
the delegation led by Senator Richard Shelby to visit 
Christchurch and Wellington, New Zealand August 7-9, 2004. 
Members of the CODEL are:  Senator Richard Shelby, Dr. 
Annette Shelby and Representative Robert Cramer. 
Accompanying staff are:  Ms. Kathy Casey, Ms. Anne Caldwell, 
and Ms Victoria Cox.  Accompanying DOD escort is:  LTC Lon 
Pribble.  The purpose of the visit is to meet with high- 
level officials regarding financial, economic, trade, and 
security issues. 
 
2.  Schedule and administrative items reftel are being 
addressed separately.  The following NOTIONAL schedule is 
included as directed, but details are subject to change: 
 
Saturday, AUGUST 7 
 
16:00 -- CODEL arrives at Christchurch Airport via MilAir C- 
37.  Met by Charge David Burnett and Mrs. Burnett. 
(NZ will spray the inside of the airplane, before anyone is 
allowed to deplane, on arrival in Christchurch.  Crew and 
delegation onboard should be aware of this as well as the 
prohibition on bringing any fruit/nuts/vegetables etc. off 
the plane.) 
 
16:45 -- Check in to Crowne Plaza Hotel 
Corner Kilmore & Durham Streets, Christchurch 
Tel: +64 3 365-7799 
Fax: +64 3 365-0082 
 
19:00 -- No-host dinner with Charge David Burnett and 
control officer Tim Zuniga-Brown.  (Venue TBD) 
 
RON -- Crowne Plaza Hotel. 
Control Room staffed from 0600-2300 daily. 
 
Accommodation Exchange will be offered in Control Room upon 
arrival. 
 
Sunday, AUGUST 8 
 
Breakfast - at hotel. 
 
10:00 -- Delegation tour of Christchurch Arts Gallery. 
 
11:00 -- Delegation departs for windshield tour of 
Christchurch en route to Pegasus Bay Winery. 
 
12:00 -- Arrive Pegasus Bay Winery.  No-Host lunch/wine 
tasting.  (POC - Bob Franklin, Visits Manager, Department of 
Internal Affairs.  Tel:  470-2910; cell:  027-448-3710.) 
 
14:00 -- Delegation returns to Christchurch (Crowne Plaza). 
 
19:00 -- Dinner hosted by Minister Jim Anderton (Economic 
Development and Industry) Location:  TBD. 
 
RON -- Crowne Plaza. 
 
Monday, AUGUST 9 
 
06:00 -- Baggage call. 
 
07:30 -- Check out of Crowne Plaza.  Depart for Airport. 
 
08:30 -- Depart Christchurch via MilAir. 
 
09:10 -- Arrive Wellington Airport. 
 
10:00 -- Brief windshield tour of Wellington. 
 
Or   -- (T) Tour of WETA Workshop and studios 
 
11:00 -- Meeting with NZ Reserve Bank Governor Allan 
Bollard. 
 
12:00 -- Meeting with Opposition - National Party (T) 
 
12:30 -- Lunch hosted by Charge Burnett. 
          Il Casino Restaurant. 
 
14:30 -- Meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for 
Finance Michael Cullen.  Venue TBD. 
 
15:00 -- Meeting with Minister for Defense and Tourism 
Michael Burton.  Venue TBD. 
15:30 -- Meeting with Minister for Trade James Sutton. 
 
16:00 -- Depart for Airport. 
 
16:30 -- Depart Wellington for Sydney, Australia via Mil 
Air. 
 
3.  Control officer for the visit is Pol/Econ Counselor Tim 
Brown.  Contact details are as follows: 
Office: 64-4-462-6033 or 6063 
Fax:    64-4-472-3538 
Cell:   027-451-2539 
Home:   64-4-567-6830 
E-Mail: Zuniga-Brown@state.gov 
4.  Biosecurity Fines: 
The government of New Zealand instituted fines for non- 
declared biosecurity hazards on travelers entering New 
Zealand with undeclared plant, animal or food material. 
Travelers found carrying these undeclared items will be 
immediately fined NZ$200 (US $150).  Biosecurity is a 
serious issue in New Zealand and fines will be administered 
immediately and without warnings. 
 
5.  Security Assessment: 
 
a.  There are no local terrorist groups or support groups 
believed to be operating in New Zealand at this time.  In 
light of the worldwide security alert all visitors should 
heighten their security awareness and report any unusual 
incidents to the regional security office. 
 
b.  Anonymous telephonic threats and obscure threat mail 
have occasionally targeted U.S. diplomatic missions in New 
Zealand.  In response to U.S. policies and actions, various 
groups in New Zealand have demonstrated occasionally at the 
embassy in Wellington and at the consulate in Auckland. 
These demonstrations were of a small scale and were 
peacefully conducted.  During these demonstrations, the host 
country police and protective services provided adequate 
protection to the embassy and consulate. 
 
c.  While New Zealand is considered a low threat crime 
environment, Wellington and Auckland have experienced an 
increase in violent and petty crimes.  Home invasion 
robberies and assaults, once very rare, are becoming more 
frequent.  Burglaries and thefts occur countrywide. 
Visitors should be aware that street crime is a daily 
occurrence in the larger cities, including Wellington and 
Auckland.  Common sense precautions should be taken, 
especially at night, to avoid becoming a target of 
opportunity. 
 
d.  All forms of public transportation are generally safe at 
all times of the day. 
 
Swindells