US embassy cable - 05ATHENS41

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ATHENS 000041 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR USDA/NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION 
SERVICE/INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS DIVISION 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OTRA, EAGR, GR, CTRYCLR 
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE AND THREAT ASSESSMENT 
FOR GERALD GUALA 
 
REF:  PER FAX DTD 12/21 
 
1.  Embassy warmly welcomes and grants country clearance for 
the visit of Mr. Gerald Guala, Botanist, Baton Rouge, 
Louisiana, to attend the global biodiversity information 
facility workshop in Chania from January 19 through 22, 2005 
 
2.  Per reftel no Embassy assistance requested. 
 
3.  Pursuant to State 66580 dated March 25, 2004, country 
clearance for any person on TDY for 30 days or more is 
granted contingent on completion of the mandatory personal 
security training.  The Department of State's Foreign 
Service Institute (FSI) conducts the approved minimum four- 
day training class, "Serving Abroad for Families & Employees 
(S.A.F.E.)."  This is the same course required for employees 
and highly recommended for their eligible family members 
over the age of 18. 
 
4.  It is important that all visitors carefully read the 
information and instructions provided below.  Post wants to 
ensure the best possible service to all official visitors 
and will work closely to arrange details of each visit. 
 
5.  Early morning check-in:  For those coming from 
Washington, D.C., often on the early morning Delta flight 
arriving at 1005, please note there is no guarantee of early 
check-in at the hotel.  Normal check-in time is 1400. 
Although post can request early check-in for travelers, the 
only way to guarantee a room waiting is to reserve it for 
the preceding night.  Travelers who wish to book the 
previous night must request post to make this reservation. 
The traveler is responsible for this expense.  Travelers 
should be prepared to go from the airport directly to the 
office/meetings if they have not paid for a room the night 
before.  The Embassy has a cafeteria that serves breakfast 
and lunch. 
 
6.  Arrivals:  We expect to be able to provide 
transportation for official visitors at the Deputy Assistant 
Secretary level and above upon arrival at the airport. 
 
SIPDIS 
Other visitors should plan to use taxis.  The price of a 
taxi from Athens airport to downtown is approximately 28 - 
30 euros.  Depending on traffic, the trip to the Embassy 
takes 40 to 60 minutes. 
 
7.  Documents required:  Diplomatic and official passport 
holders must have Greek diplomatic visas, a valid Schengen 
visa or diplomatic ID from any other Schengen country, in 
addition to their passport, in order to enter Greece.  The 
Embassy will be unable to obtain plane-side visas for USG 
employees arriving in Greece without proper documentation. 
Holders of tourist passports do not/not require visas.  USG 
employees who plan to operate a motor vehicle while in 
Greece must be in possession of a valid U.S. drivers' 
license as well as a valid International Drivers' License 
and must carry proof of third party liability insurance 
while operating the vehicle. 
 
8.  Embassy access:  Embassy Athens has installed a new 
identification badging system, which requires that all 
Department of State employees bring their Global ID and/or 
Smart Card that will be acknowledged as proper Embassy ID. 
DOS employees will be expected to stop by the RSO Office to 
program their ID to be compatible with the Athens system. 
 
9.  Regional Medical Office:  The Health Unit at the Embassy 
is fully staffed.  A State Department medical clearance is 
required by all employees of agencies participating in ICASS 
who will be traveling TDY for more then 60 days a year. 
Health Unit access is not guaranteed without this clearance. 
Family members will not have access to the Health Unit 
unless they are on employees' travel orders.  We strongly 
recommend that TDYers bring with them proof of current 
medical insurance coverage and medevac coverage if obtained. 
 
10.  Currency:  Greece is a member of the European Monetary 
Union, and the Euro is the currency of the country. 
Accommodation exchange is available on a limited basis 
(responsible agency/section signed authorization) at the 
Embassy cashier office - hours are M-F 0900 - 1100 and 1400 
- 1600.  However, ATMs are readily available throughout the 
country (there is also one at the Embassy); they will accept 
U.S. debit cards.  In addition, most banks and major hotels 
provide accommodation exchange services.  Post is unable to 
provide reverse accommodation. 
 
11.  Office space/laptops/mobile phones:  Office space in 
both classified and unclassified areas is extremely limited. 
For those employees planning on bringing laptops and modems 
to use in their hotels, please remember that this equipment 
can be used for processing unclassified (non-SBU) 
information only.  Current here is 220 volt, 50 cycles, and 
outlets are two-pronged.  Bring along a plug adapter and 
equipment that can handle the voltage.  Laptops are not 
permitted in controlled access areas of the Embassy. 
European GSM mobile phones function normally in Greece. 
12.  Presidential Directive - Trafficking in Persons:  All 
TDY personnel are reminded that President Bush has signed a 
National Security Presidential Directive to advance the 
fight against trafficking in persons.  The United States is 
committed to eradicate trafficking both domestically and 
abroad. Trafficking in persons exists in Greece.  A 
significant number of the people involved in prostitution, 
pornography and the sex tourism phenomenon, are trafficked. 
They are compelled by force, fraud and coercion to submit to 
sexual exploitation.  TDY personnel are advised that any 
involvement with the commercial sex industry is unacceptable 
in light of the diplomatic and foreign policy goals of the 
United States and the ethical standards of the Department of 
State and this Mission. Embassy Management will not tolerate 
any such involvement by Mission personnel and, in this 
regard, will enforce all relevant regulations regarding 
conduct and suitability of U.S. Government employees 
stationed abroad. 
 
13.  Security information: 
 
A.  Embassy Athens is designated "critical" for indigenous 
terrorism.  In the past, local Greek terrorist groups have 
targeted prominent Greeks as well as certain non-Greek 
Officials, including Americans.  We believe that the threat 
to official US Government personnel on short-term 
assignments to Greece or visiting for tourism is relatively 
low.  The indigenous groups historically have engaged in 
extensive operational surveillance over long periods of 
time.  In 2003 and again in 2004, the Greek Government made 
significant progress to combat domestic terrorism by 
successfully convicting the leader and key hit men of the 
November 17 terrorist organization and of the ELA.  17N was 
responsible for assassinating prominent Greeks and five 
members of the US Mission over the course of its 30-year 
history.  Convicted ELA members were responsible for several 
bombings, attempted murders and were involved in at least 
one assassination.  While these convictions likely impacted 
on the operational capabilities of 17N and ELA, it is too 
soon to assess whether the threat from domestic terrorism is 
completely eliminated.  We urge vigilance and caution, as 
the worldwide threat from other terrorist groups against 
Americans in general remains high.  Official Americans 
should assume they are potential targets. 
 
B.  Over the past year the U.S. Embassy has experienced 
numerous bomb threats, protest marches, and anti-U.S. 
demonstrations.  These protests are generally peaceful 
though a few provoked random acts of violence.  Travelers to 
Greece are advised that protests or demonstrations could 
occur at any time; unwitting observers or bystanders might 
be identified, to their disadvantage, as Americans.  RSO 
recommends that official U.S. travelers in Greece remain 
alert when moving about in public places and avoid certain 
places where demonstrators frequently congregate.  These 
places include the Polytechnical University area, located on 
28 October (Patission) Street between the National 
Archeological Museum and Omonia Square; Exarchion Square, 
located near Kolonaki; Omonia and Syntagma Squares, which 
are often used as launch sites for large demonstrations; and 
Mavili Square, located near the U.S. Embassy.  Visitors 
should keep abreast of news about large demonstrations and 
avoid these areas and metro stops. 
 
C.  Crime is rated "medium" in Greece.  For TDY visitors, 
pick-pocketing and purse snatching are the most common 
crimes.  Taxis are generally safe though metered cabs are 
recommended.  Taxis too will often pick up more than one 
passenger unless prior arrangements are made.  Crimes of 
opportunity - thefts, break-ins, and occasional scams - are 
on the rise.  Travelers should be especially cautious with 
wallets, purses, and parcels when traveling on crowded 
streets, public buses, trolleys, and/or subways.  There have 
been several instances of motorcyclists approaching cars 
stuck in traffic, reaching through open windows or smashing 
closed ones, and stealing whatever is within reach.  We have 
also recently learned of a new scenario in which 
motorcyclists open the trunk of a vehicle and remove the 
contents.  The Embassy recommends keeping purses, parcels, 
handbags, etc. out of sight under the seat or on the floor 
of the car.  Windows should be kept closed and doors locked. 
Pedestrians may also be confronted by beggars and other 
street people who may attempt to divert attention, then 
steal unprotected valuables - either by pick-pocketing or 
snatch-and-grab techniques.  Women are generally safe from 
violent crime in Greece.  Men are aggressive by American 
standards however when pursuing women. 
 
D.  Traffic in Greek urban areas, especially Athens and 
Thessaloniki, is chaotic.  Greece leads the European Union 
in traffic fatalities.  Road rage is common.  Accidents 
often lead to fist fights.  Drivers in Greece should 
exercise caution and common sense.  Drivers and pedestrians 
alike should exercise extreme caution when operating motor 
vehicles or when walking along roadways.  Moreover, tourists 
who rent motorbikes either on the Greek mainland or its 
islands must wear helmets and must take special precautions 
on the local roads that are typically poorly maintained and 
frequently pothole-ridden.  Greece also leads the European 
Union in motorcycle deaths. 
 
Walles