US embassy cable - 05BRATISLAVA139

UNCLAS BRATISLAVA 000139 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
DEPT FOR: EUR/PRA Anita Friedt 
          EUR/PRA Sheila Johnson 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL, LO, AU 
SUBJECT:  Country Clearance granted for Dept of State  and  NCS 
personnel 
 
REF: SECSTATE 29273 
 
1.   Embassy Bratislava welcomes Thomas E. Graham, Anita E. 
   Friedt, Tracy Babette McKibben, Yuri Shkeyrov and Irene Firsow 
   and grants country clearance for the period of February 21-25, 
   2005. The embassy point of contact is Robert Hurlbert, 
   Management officer(tel.+421-2-5922-3285) and Debra Hevia, 
   Political Officer (tel.+421-2-5922-3412) Fax line is + 421-2- 
   5443-0096. 
 
2.   HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS. Reservations for Thomas E. Graham 
   and Tracy Babette McKibben have been made at the Radisson SAS 
   Carlton hotel (for the night of February 23). Address: 
   Hviezdoslav.nam 1). The room rate is USD 203, which is OVER the 
   Bratislava perdiem. Breakfast is included in the rate. Please 
   contact the hotel directly if there is any subsequent change in 
   dates of your arrival and inform your POC. Post understands no 
   other logistical arrangements are requested. 
 
3.   The U.S. embassy's address is Hviezdoslavovo nam. 4, 811 
   02 Bratislava, Slovakia. Telephone numbers are: +421-2-5443- 
   0861 or +421-5443-3338. 
 
4.   SECURITY CLEARANCE AND BUILDING ACCESS: The regional 
   security officer will provide a temporary embassy badge for 
   you. Thank you for providing your clearance level in reftel. 
 
5.   COMPUTER ACCESS to mission facilities: privately owned 
   laptops and personal computers (including palm pilots), 
   peripherals, diskettes and tapes are prohibited in all mission 
   facilities. Travelers with United States Government (USG) owned 
   unclassified laptop or notebook computers, peripherals, 
   diskettes and tapes must receive RSO/IPO authorization prior to 
   being granted access to U.S. mission buildings.  USG-owned 
   classified computers must be sent to post via classified 
   diplomatic pouches. Classified equipment must bear external USG 
   bar codes, inventory numbers, and classification marking 
   commensurate with the highest level of information processed on 
   the system. 
 
6.   SECURITY: post reminds traveler that we are under a high 
   level threat of potential terrorist activities.  This warning 
   is especially applicable to those of us in diplomatic missions 
   overseas. The U.S. government continues to receive credible 
   indications that extremist groups and individuals are planning 
   additional terrorist actions against U.S. interests worldwide. 
   Such actions may include, but are not limited to suicide 
   operations.  Because security and security awareness have been 
   elevated within the United States, the terrorists may target 
   U.S. interests overseas.  There is a possibility that American 
   citizens may be targeted for kidnapping or assassination. 
   Employees are reminded to remain vigilant with regard to their 
   personal security and to exercise caution. 
 
7.   The Slovak republic has a "medium" rate of crime, although 
   violent crime is relatively uncommon.  Visitors are urged to 
   exercise reasonable precautions.  If you must walk alone at 
   night, keep to populous and well-lighted areas.  Pay attention 
   to your wallet, purse, handbag and cellular telephone, as all 
   are popular targets of the local thieves.  The local 
   pickpockets are professional and most active during the summer. 
   They tend to utilize distraction techniques to confuse their 
   target, preferring locations such as shopping centers, markets 
   and public transportation in the vicinity of the "old town", 
   near major hotels where foreigners stay and tourist sites, and 
   the night trains to Prague and Warsaw. Power struggles between 
   organized crime elements, which can be violent, occur from time 
   to time.  This activity is not/not directed against Americans 
   or other foreigners.  The rate of auto theft, which is also 
   connected to organized crime, is very high in Bratislava.  Up- 
   market European and American cars are preferred targets.  The 
   use of alarm systems or anti-theft devices is strongly 
   encouraged. 
 
8.   MEDICAL: The Embassy's principal physician liaison is Dr. 
   Julia Bruce (tel.+421-2-5922-3138). During the Presidential 
   advance and visit the Embassy Health unit will be staffed by a 
   Foreign Service Nurse Practitioner, who will be on call 24 
   hours. Day hours as well as contact and access info will be 
   provided separately in the Welcome Kit upon arrival. If you 
   experience a medical emergency after work hours, contact the 
   embassy duty officer at cell phone 0903-703-666. (Cell phone 
   number of FSNP will also be provided in Welcome Kit.) If you 
   cannot reach either the duty officer or FSNP, dial 112 to 
   contact the city ambulance service. 
 
THAYER 
 
 
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