US embassy cable - 05CANBERRA1361

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 CANBERRA 001361 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ENRG, TRGY, AORC, KNNP, OTRA, AS, IAEA 
SUBJECT: AUSTRALIA COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR RADIOACTIVE 
SOURCES TRAINING TEAM, AUGUST 27 - SEPTEMBER 2, 2005 
 
REF: STATE 144396 
 
1. Embassy Canberra, with the concurrence of Consulate 
General Sydney, welcomes and grants country clearance to Mark 
Samuel Soo Hoo, Paul Ebel, and Frederick Allen Morris to 
travel to Sydney, Australia on August 27 - September 2, 2005. 
 The purpose of their visit is to participate in a Regional 
Training Course on Physical Protection of Radioactive Sources. 
 
2.  Mission understands that no Embassy assistance is 
required.  However, Political-Military Officer Tamara 
Fitzgerald would appreciate a readout by telephone at the end 
of your visit. Her phone number is 61-2-6214-5962. 
 
3.  The Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS) has 
very strict guidelines concerning the import of goods into 
Australia.  Passengers on both commercial and U.S. military 
flight into Australia are required to complete an in-bound 
passenger card on which it is imperative that honest 
declarations are made concerning the goods the passenger is 
bringing with them in both their hand luggage and checked 
bags.  All foodstuffs should be declared as well as any 
souvenirs made from plant material - baskets, rugs, 
handicrafts, etc.  If you have visited a rural area prior to 
arriving in Australia, it is important that this is also 
declared on your in-bound passenger card.  AQIS officials 
employ the use of sniffer dogs and screening equipment at all 
international ports and have the right under Australian law 
to search personal baggage of any traveler, regardless of 
their diplomatic status, if they have reason to believe 
that prohibited goods are being brought into the country. 
 
4.  Americans visiting Australia for 90 days or less (for 
either official USG or private travel) may enter Australia 
without a visa stamped in their passports.  However, American 
travelers must receive an electronic travel authority (ETA) 
from the participating travel agent or airline.  An ETA 
clears the traveler electronically for entry into Australia. 
Alternatively, travelers may request a visa from the 
Australian Embassy or nearest Australian consulate. 
 
5.  Travelers are reminded to keep bags packed under 32 
kilograms (70 pounds).  Australian airport personnel will not 
handle any items over this weight and the traveler will be 
required to unpack and repack overweight luggage on the spot. 
 
6.  Threat Assessment:  The Embassy is not aware of any 
Australia-specific threats to U.S. facilities or personnel at 
this time.  American citizens are reminded that it is more 
important than ever to maintain a high level of vigilance and 
to take appropriate steps to increase their security 
awareness. 
 
Due to the military action in Iraq, there is a potential for 
retaliatory actions to be taken against U.S. citizens and 
interests throughout the world.  Public demonstrations carry 
the potential for precipitating violence directed at American 
citizens, symbols associated with the United States or other 
U.S. and western interests. 
 
The threat to U.S. citizens includes the risk of attacks by 
terrorist groups.  Terrorist actions may include, but are not 
limited to, suicide operations, bombings or kidnapping. 
Possible threats include conventional weapons such as 
explosive devices or non-conventional weapons, including 
chemical or biological agents.  Terrorists do not distinguish 
between official and civilian targets.  These may include 
facilities where Americans and other foreigners congregate or 
visit, such as residential areas, clubs, restaurants, places 
of worship, schools, hotels, outdoor recreation events or 
resorts and beaches.  U.S. citizens should increase their 
security awareness at such locations, avoid them, or switch 
to other locations where Americans in large numbers generally 
do not congregate. 
 
U.S. Government facilities worldwide remain at a heightened 
state of alert and some have drawn down their dependents/and 
or personnel.  These facilities may temporarily close or 
suspend public services from time to time for security 
reasons.  In those instances, U.S. embassies and consulates 
will make every effort to provide emergency services to 
American citizens.  Monitor the local news and maintain 
contact with the nearest American embassy or consulate. 
 
In response to U.S. policy and actions, occasional 
demonstrations, anonymous telephonic threats and obscure 
threat mail have in the past targeted the U.S. Embassy in 
Canberra and the Consulates General in Sydney, Melbourne, and 
Perth, as well as joint U.S./Australian defense facilities. 
However, demonstrations have been peacefully conducted, and 
Australian police and protective services have provided 
adequate protection to the U.S. mission.  Sydney and, to a 
lesser extent, Melbourne, Perth and Canberra, have 
experienced an increase in street crime, assaults and 
muggings.  Weapons are increasingly used in such crimes, 
which are also associated with increased drug trafficking and 
usage. 
 
Australia is considered a medium crime threat environment, 
visitors should be aware that street crime, burglaries, and 
car theft are a daily occurrence in the larger cities, 
including Canberra.  Appropriate, common sense precautions 
should be taken, especially at night, to avoid becoming a 
target of opportunity. 
 
STANTON