VZCZCXRO6383
RR RUEHPOD
DE RUEHBW #1495 3061251
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 021251Z NOV 07
FM AMEMBASSY BELGRADE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1711
RUEHPOD/AMEMBASSY PODGORICA 0135
RUEHVJ/AMEMBASSY SARAJEVO 0380

UNCLAS BELGRADE 001495 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PINR OTRA BK MW SR
SUBJECT: SERBIA COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR INR/B OFFICERS 
 
REF: STATE 144825 
 
¶1.  (U) Embassy Belgrade grants country clearance and welcomes the 
visit of INR/B officers Amanda Timko and Katherine Kaminksi for the 
period of November 6 to 8, for consultations with embassy officers. 
Embassy control officer for this visit will be POL officer Bianca 
Menendez: (381-11) 306-4654 (office), or (381-65) 564-9330 
(mobile). 
 
¶2. (U) The Embassy's offices are located at Kneza Milosa 50, 
Belgrade.  The Embassy's switchboard telephone number is (381-11) 
361-9344; the fax number is (381-11) 361-8230.  Normal Embassy 
working hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. POL will 
coordinate lodging arrangements. No specific assistance is requested 
of the Embassy. 
 
¶3.  (U) Credit cards are not yet widely used in Serbia and travelers 
should bring enough cash for expenses.  The Hyatt, as well as 
several other large hotels and some upscale restaurants now accept 
credit 
cards.  The Hyatt also offers accommodation exchange for their 
guests and will exchange dollars, euros and all standard travelers' 
checks into local currency, but will not exchange local currency 
into US dollars for foreign visitors upon departure.  Accommodation 
exchange is available through the Embassy cashier with a copy of 
your travel orders.  There is a $1,000.00 per week limit.  Personal 
and travelers' checks are acceptable at the Embassy. 
 
¶4.  (U) Each visitor, regardless of length of stay, must 
bring/forward fiscal data to pay for direct costs of the visit. Each 
agency, organization, or visiting delegation will be charged for the 
actual costs attributed to their visit. Direct charge costs include, 
but are not limited to: American and LES staff overtime (e.g., 
expediter, accommodation exchange and representational event 
support), field 
travel-lodging and M&IE by Embassy employees, vehicle rentals, long 
distance telephone calls, equipment rentals, office supplies and all 
other costs that are directly attributable to the visit. Also, for 
TDYers over thirty (30) days, there is a charge for ICASS support 
services. If your sponsoring agency is not signed up for ICASS 
services at post, please be prepared to sign a MOU for ICASS support 
services 
upon arrival. The agency should provide post with a written 
communication, generated by the traveler's headquarters that 
confirms the agency will pay ICASS charges for the TDYer, provides 
the agency ICASS billing code the TDY support charges should be 
applied to, and authorizes the traveler to sign the ICASS invoice 
generated by the TDY module. Where travel is urgent, the TDYers 
should bring this  documentation with them to ensure there are no 
interruptions in the provision of service. Post will not provide any 
service to a TDYer staying in excess of thirty days without 
provision of this  documentation before day 31 of the TDY. 
 
¶5.  (U) U.S. citizens are no longer required to obtain visas for 
visits up to 90 days. On departure, you should be aware that some US 
carrier 
connections via major hubs around Europe require an overnight in 
transit. 
 
SECURITY 
¶6. (U) Official U.S. presence has been continuous in Belgrade since 
October 2000 and personnel have experienced few untoward incidents. 
The impression given by the general public is that there is support 
for the return of USG personnel.  However, visitors should not take 
photos of buildings damaged or destroyed in the NATO bombing 
campaign.  Random street crimes, such as pickpocketing and car 
vandalism, are the most commonly reported incidents.  There are very 
serious information security concerns and strict security procedures 
are to be maintained 
regarding computer processing and sensitive discussions.  All 
official visitors who expect to stay more than five business days 
are required to attend an RSO security briefing, held Tuesdays and 
Thursdays at 11:00am.  Official visitors are also required to 
conduct a security out-brief with the RSO. 
 
MUNTER