VZCZCXYZ1501
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHPS #0777 2581601
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 151601Z SEP 06
FM USOFFICE PRISTINA
TO RUEHVI/AMEMBASSY VIENNA 0370
INFO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6500

UNCLAS PRISTINA 000777 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OTRA ASEC YI
SUBJECT:  COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED TO KATHERINE HELGERSON 
 
REF:  VIENNA 2756 
 
¶1.  US Office Pristina welcomes and grants country clearance to 
Katherine Helgerson to visit Pristina September 17-24, 2006.  The 
purpose of the visit is to provide support to the Econ/Pol section. 
Point of contact is Econ/Pol Deputy Chief David Whiddon, who can be 
reached at: office 381-38-549-516 ext. 3241; GSM 377-44-153-565; fax 
381-38-549-890. 
 
¶2.  Post will provide airport transportation on arrival and 
departure. Post will provide temporary quarters in USAID/USOP 
housing. 
 
¶3.  Kosovo is a cash (Euro) economy.  There are a few operating ATMs 
and some large stores and hotels take credit cards.  Not all ATMS 
are reliable and personnel should use normal ATM safety precautions. 
 TDY personnel should bring sufficient cash or travelers' checks to 
cover all hotel and other incidental expenses and may exchange 
dollars for Euros from 9:00am-11:30am and 1:00pm-3:00pm each Monday, 
Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday and 9:00am-11:30am each Thursday at 
the U.S. Office cashier.  Only USOP accepts travelers' checks. 
Reverse accommodation is available at the end of the visit. 
 
¶4.  Security issues:  The security situation in Kosovo is fluid and 
there is still risk from occasional episodes of violence; incidents 
of ethnic violence continue to occur.  Land mines remain in some 
outlying areas.  Civil society institutions generally do not yet 
meet Western standards.  There is criminal activity against 
internationals, including purse snatching and residential break-ins 
and general precautions are recommended.  KFOR is deployed 
throughout Kosovo.  Electronic devices such as laptops (personal or 
official), PDA cell phones with cameras, and the like must be 
approved for use in USOP facilities by an ISSO in consultation with 
the RSO. 
 
¶5. Travel to certain areas within Kosovo requires fully armored 
vehicles and advance RSO approval.  To facilitate planning, please 
provide your travel itinerary to USOP before arrival, as same-day 
travel can be difficult to arrange.  To provide appropriate access 
to USOP facilities, visitors must ensure all necessary security 
clearances are included with travel messages. 
 
¶6. Please ensure ASEC tags are included to ensure proper 
distribution.  Specific questions regarding security may be 
addressed to USOP's RSO or your control officer. 
 
KAIDANOW