VZCZCXRO7293
RR RUEHNZ
DE RUEHWL #0326 1180007
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 280007Z APR 06
FM AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON
TO RUEHGP/AMEMBASSY SINGAPORE 0418
INFO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2729
RHMFIUU/HOMELAND SECURITY CENTER WASHINGTON DC
RHMFIUU/TSA HQ WASHINGTON DC
RUEHNZ/AMCONSUL AUCKLAND 0732
RUEHDN/AMCONSUL SYDNEY 0437

UNCLAS WELLINGTON 000326 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
STATE FOR EAP/ANP - DAN RICCI 
HOMELAND SECURITY FOR TSA HQ, INT'L PROGRAMS, TSA-1,TSA-7 
TSA HQ WASHINGTON DC FOR INT'L PROGRAMS, TSA-1, TSA-7 
 
SIPDIS 
SYDNEY FOR TSA REP 
 
E.O. 12985:  N/A 
TAGS: KHLS EAIR ASEC PTER OTRA NZ
SUBJECT:  NEW ZEALAND COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR DHS/TSA SPECIALISTS ADAM 
MICHAEL SHANEDLING AND SUZANNE VENTURA TO THE COOK ISLANDS 
 
REF:  SINGAPORE 1339 
 
¶1.  (SBU) Embassy welcomes and grants country clearance to Adam 
Michael Shanedling and Suzanne Ventura, DHS/TSA, to travel to 
Rarotonga, Cook Islands, from June 22-28, 2006, with a transit in 
Auckland, New Zealand, on June 28, 2006.  The purpose of this visit 
is to conduct airport and air carrier station 
assessments/inspections. 
 
¶2. (SBU) Embassy point of contact is Economic Officer Joy Yamamoto. 
Contact details are as follows: 
 
Office:  644-462-6182 
Fax:     644-472-3537 
Cell:    027-446-4467 
E-mail: YamamotoJO@state.gov 
 
POC Joy Yamamoto requests a telephonic out-brief.  Post will make 
the requested meetings and tour of airport facilities in Rarotonga. 
 
¶3. (U) With regard to requested hotel reservations, the Rarotongan 
Beach Resort's rates are approx. NZD308/night which is approx USD180 
(per diem is USD87). According to Embassy's travel agent, only the 
very cheapest properties in the Cook Islands would come within per 
diem as they are based on twin share which is more usual. Hence the 
single guest has to pay the equivalent of two people. 
 
Please send e-mail address to Bridget Walsh (WalshBA@state.gov) and 
cc to Joy Yamamoto (YamamotoJO@state.gov) to discuss accommodation 
options. 
 
 
Security Assessment 
------------------- 
 
¶4.  (SBU) The Cook Islands is a Parliamentary democracy in free 
association with New Zealand, on which they rely for defense and 
assistance in meeting low-level security threats.  The Embassy is 
not aware of any specific threats to U.S. facilities or personnel at 
this time in the Cook Islands.  However, in light of the worldwide 
security alert all visitors should heighten their security awareness 
and report any unusual incidents to the Regional Security Office at 
the Embassy in Wellington, New Zealand (telephone (64)(4)462-6000, 
24 hours/day). 
 
¶5.  (SBU) Following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the 
U.S. and the 2002 and 2005 terrorist bombings in Bali, there has 
been concern that terrorists might seek to take advantage of the low 
level of security maintained in small island states such as the Cook 
Islands in order to target tourists in previously safe destinations. 
 New Zealand has worked with the Cook Islands to improve airport 
security in response to this possibility. 
 
¶6.  (U) As a result of recent 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. 
 
¶7.  (SBU) 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 U.S. 
Consulate. 
 
¶8.  (U) Crime:  Appropriate common sense precautions should be 
taken, especially at night, to avoid becoming a target of 
opportunity. 
 
¶9.  (U) Weather:  Severe cyclones present a threat during the 
hurricane season; however, this is generally only from November to 
March. 
 
Burnett