VZCZCXYZ0003
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHPS #0277 1020639
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 120639Z APR 07
FM USOFFICE PRISTINA
TO RUEHTI/AMEMBASSY TIRANA 6356
INFO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7242

UNCLAS PRISTINA 000277 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OTRA AMGT
SUBJECT:  COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED TO DARREL HART AND LEON 
STRIGOTTE 
 
REF:  AMEMBASSY TIRANA 290 
 
¶1.  US Office Pristina welcomes and grants country clearance to 
ICITAP Albania Program Manager Darrel Hart and Leon Strigotte, 
ICITAP Advisor to visit Pristina April 12 - April 15, 2007.  The 
purpose of the visit is to review the Police Inspectorate Program 
that was developed and implemented in 2006. Control Officer for this 
visit will be ICITAP Program Manager, Steve Bennett, who can be 
reached at: office 381-38-549-516 ext. 3730; GSM 377-44-500-216; fax 
381-38-549-890. 
 
¶2.  Post understands that no U.S. Office Pristina assistance is 
required. 
 
¶3.  Kosovo is a cash (Euro) economy.  There are a few operating 
ATMs. A few large stores and some 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-3:30pm 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 province requires fully 
armored vehicles and advance RSO approval.  To facilitate planning, 
please provide travel itinerary to USOP in advance of 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