US embassy cable - 04ROME3774

UNCLAS  ROME 003774 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
OSD FOR HOEHN 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PARM, PREL, NATO, GLOBAL DEFENSE 
SUBJECT: CONSULTATIONS ON GLOBAL DEFENSE POSTURE REVIEW: 
COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR A/S BLOOMFIELD AND DELEGATION 
 
REF: SECSTATE 207467 
 
1. Embassy Rome welcomes and grants country clearance for 
Assistant Secretary of State for Political Affairs 
Bloomfield, and delegation to visit Rome from October 5-6, 
2004. To secure hotel accommodations, please provide fiscal 
data for charge purposes or credit card information for each 
individual immediately.  Hotel rooms cannot be held without 
this information. 
 
2. Embassy Control Officer is Political-Military Counselor 
Jonathan Cohen, office phone: 39-06-4674-2840, office fax: 
39-06-4674-2623, home phone: 39-06-4674-2039, cell phone: 
39-335-848-4726.  The Embassy switchboard number is 
39-06-4674-1. 
 
3. Please notify control officer if your travel plans change. 
Travelers are responsible for paying their hotel bill, 
including room and incidental expenses, upon checking out. 
 
4. Delegation will be met at the airport by control officer. 
 
5. FISCAL DATA:  IN ACCORDANCE WITH DEPARTMENT OF STATE 
POLICY, POST WILL DIRECT CHARGE EACH AGENCY, ORGANIZATION OR 
VISITING DELEGATION FOR THE ACTUAL COSTS ATTRIBUTED TO ITS 
VISIT. THESE COSTS INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, AMERICAN 
AND LOCALLY ENGAGED STAFF OVERTIME; FIELD TRAVEL BY EMBASSY 
EMPLOYEES; TRANSPORTATION COSTS FOR OFFICIAL VEHICLES; RENTAL 
OF VEHICLES, CELLULAR PHONES, AND OFFICE EQUIPMENT; CHARGES 
FOR CONTROL ROOMS AND OFFICE SPACE; AND THE COST FOR 
REPRESENTATIONAL EVENTS.  ALL/ALL VISITORS USING 
ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES MUST PROVIDE THE EMBASSY WITH 
AUTHORIZATION AND FISCAL DATA (E.G., TRAVEL ORDERS) AGAINST 
WHICH THE COSTS FOR REQUESTED ITEMS CAN BE CHARGED. THIS 
INFORMATION SHOULD BE CABLED OR FAXED TO THE EMBASSY IN 
ADVANCE OF YOUR ARRIVAL.  PLEASE NOTE THAT WITHOUT A FUND 
CITE AND AUTHORIZATION, POST WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PROVIDE 
VEHICLES, DRIVERS, OR OTHER SERVICES. 
 
6. Money Exchange: The unit of currency throughout Italy is 
the Euro.  Dollars or travelers checks can be legally 
exchanged for Euros at local exchange offices, hotels and the 
airport.  A bank, which is located in the Embassy, can cash 
checks for dollars or Euros.  Most major credit cards are 
accepted throughout Italy.  ATM machines, including one in 
the Embassy, will accept many U.S. Bank cards. 
 
7. Visa Requirements:Italian visas are not required 
for TDY'ers holding diplomatic, official or tourist passports. 
 
8. If Holy See (Vatican) related appointments are 
anticipated, please contact the Embassy Vatican directly via 
cable or by calling the Executive Office at(39)06-4674-3428. 
 
9. For further information regarding travel in Italy, consult: 
-- the Department of State's Consular Information Sheet 
http://www.travel.state.gov/italy.html 
-- Embassy Rome's Internet site on travel in Italy 
http://www.usembassy.it/usa/ 
 
10. Threat/Security Assessment: 
 
Due to many factors, among them American military 
participation with NATO in the Balkans, the presence of 
U.S. troops in Italy, the terrorist attacks in the U.S. 
on September 11th and U.S. military actions in 
Afghanistan, American diplomatic facilities in Italy 
operate under a state of heightened security. 
 
During the G-8 summit in Genoa in July 2001, certain 
factions of the anti-globalization groups orchestrated 
violent demonstrations at the summit.  There is a 
concern that these same groups may use demonstrations 
against U.S. military actions in Afghanistan as a reason 
to target U.S. Government facilities and businesses in 
Italy.  The bombings in Rome and Turin last year, and 
the more recent discovery of an improvised explosive 
device near Consulate General Florence, may indicate 
there is strong opposition to political and economic 
globalization policy. 
 
The violent Red Brigade units that flourished in Italy 
during the late seventies had been thought to be mostly 
finished as a group with neither the ability or the 
 
 
followers necessary to conduct a major terrorist act. 
However, on May 20, 1999, a group identifying itself as 
the Red Brigade claimed responsibility for the 
professionally executed assassination of a key advisor 
to the Italian Minister of Labor.  The Italian police 
believe that the Nuclei Territoriali Antimperialisti 
(NTA) carried out the assassination.  A group known as 
the Autonomists have, in the past, claimed 
responsibility for firebombs or Molotov cocktails thrown 
at buildings or offices in the middle of the night, 
apparently in an effort to avoid human injury.  Members 
are mostly radical students and disruptive youths. 
 
The security environment is closely monitored and 
updated assessments are issued as warranted.  Travelers 
should maintain a low profile; stay alert for unusual 
activity, for example surveillance; and avoid 
repetitious patterns and habits, i.e., vary routes and 
times of departures and arrivals.  Visitors to U.S. 
diplomatic and military facilities should be aware that 
increased security measures are in effect at these 
locations.  While there is presently no information 
available that indicates targeting of a specific 
individual, all visitors and resident USG personnel are 
encouraged to maintain a heightened state of security 
awareness.  Unusual or suspicious incidents should be 
reported immediately to the RSO. 
 
Street crime occurs frequently in the large cities and 
at tourist locations.  Visitors are warned to safeguard 
their valuables at all times, especially while walking 
along streets and when using public transportation. 
Extra care should be taken while in crowded tourist 
areas.  Pickpocketing and purse snatching occur 
regularly.  Pickpockets usually work in teams and target 
tourists.  They are efficient and thorough.  Traveling 
on the Autostrada throughout Italy can be hazardous. 
Rest stops are often hangouts for thieves. 
 
Privately owned laptops and personal computers are 
prohibited in all classified facilities.  Cellular 
telephones and palm pilots are not permitted in CAA 
areas.  Travelers with USG owned unclassified laptop or 
notebook computers, peripherals, diskettes and tapes 
must obtain RSO/IMO authorization for access.  USG owned 
classified computers must arrive at post via classified 
diplomatic pouch.  Questions concerning other types of 
electronic devices and magnetic media should be directed 
to the IMO or RSO. 
 
 
SEMBLER 
 
 
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 2004ROME03774 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED