US embassy cable - 05VIENNA3787

UNCLAS VIENNA 003787 
 
SIPDIS 
 
INFO OSCE POST COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE 
AMEMBASSY LJUBLJANA IMMEDIATE 
 
P FOR DAVID BAME 
S/ES-EX FOR STEPHEN B. WILLIAMS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OVIP, OTRA, ASEC, AU 
SUBJECT: VISIT TO VIENNA OF U/S R. NICHOLAS BURNS AND 
TRAVELLING PARTY 
 
REF: STATE 216461 
 
 1.  Post warmly welcomes visit of Under Secretary for 
Political Affairs R. Nicholas Burns, Assistant Secretary for 
European and Eurasian Affairs Daniel Fried, and Special 
Assistant to the Under Secretary David Bame to Vienna, 
Austria December 7, 2005. 
 
2.    U/S Burns and party will be met at the airport and 
escorted to the gate by Economic Political Counselor Gregory 
E. Phillips and Embassy expediter Christian Ludwig.  Mr. 
Phillips cell phone number is (from the U.S.) 43-664-423-7596 
and (from inside Austria) 0664-423-7596.  Mr. Ludwig's cell 
phone number is (from the U.S.) 43-664-4242-316 and (from 
inside Austria) 0664-4242-316. 
 
3.  THREAT ASSESSMENT AND SECURITY GUIDANCE.  Austria is 
currently rated low for crime and terrorism and is quite safe 
by U.S. standards.  However, the Regional Security Office 
recommends travelers take common sense precautions while in 
Austria.  Pickpockets can be a problem in crowded areas in 
Vienna frequented by tourists, such as St. Stephansplatz, the 
Rathausplatz, and the Naschmarkt.  In addition, drug dealers 
sometimes frequent the Stadtpark (across from the Marriott 
Hotel) and the Karlsplatz at night.  Public transportation 
(buses, trams and subways) is very efficient and generally 
quite safe; however, travelers should use more caution when 
riding public transportation in the later evening.  Theft 
from parked vehicles and hotel rooms can also be a concern. 
Visitors should exercise the same common sense security 
precautions they would in any large cosmopolitan area.  As 
everywhere overseas, American travelers should maintain a low 
profile and maintain an awareness of their surroundings. 
 
4.  SECURITY CLEARANCE AND BUILDING ACCESS:  In compliance 
with Department of State (DOS) regulations and mission 
policy, visitors desiring unescorted access into any mission 
facility must ensure that their headquarters provide the 
following in their travel message:  clearance levels (if 
any), social security numbers, and agencies granting 
clearances.  Please send messages via cable with ASEC tags to 
ensure proper distribution to the RSO. 
 
5.  ELECTRONIC DEVICES:  RSO approval must be obtained before 
any electronic devices may be brought into any mission 
facilities and CAA areas.  Please contact RSO for further 
information. 
 
6.  All travelers should be aware of the Department of 
State,s latest travel warnings and public announcements, 
available at the Consular Affairs internet website at 
HTTP://travel.state.gov. 
VAN VOORST