VZCZCXYZ0003
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHPS #0340 1221644
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 021644Z MAY 07
FM USOFFICE PRISTINA
TO RUEHHE/AMEMBASSY HELSINKI PRIORITY 0042
INFO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7312
RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO 0949
RUEHVI/AMEMBASSY VIENNA 0420
RUEHBS/AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS 0385

UNCLAS PRISTINA 000340 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KPAO AORC OTRA ASEC FI
SUBJECT:  COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED TO AMBASSADOR WARE AND DEFENSE 
ATTACHE SHASTEEN 
 
REF:  HELSINKI 301 
 
¶1.  US Office Pristina welcomes and grants country clearance to U.S. 
Ambassador to Finland Marilyn Ware and Embassy Finland Defense 
Attach COL. Joy Shasteen to visit Pristina May 8-10, 2007.  The 
purpose of the visit is to escort six Finnish NATO tour 
participants. Point of Contact for this visit will be Deputy 
Principal Officer Alex Laskaris, who can be reached at: office 
381-38-5959-3191; GSM 377-44-153-566; fax 381-38-153-563. 
 
¶2.  Post understands all logistics for the delegation while in 
Kosovo will be managed by the Finnish government and that no USOP 
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. 
 
¶3.  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. 
 
¶4. 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. 
 
¶5. 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