VZCZCXRO6456
OO RUEHBL
DE RUEHNO #0098/01 0770615
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 170615Z MAR 08
FM USMISSION USNATO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1719
INFO RUEHBS/AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS 6487
RUEHDL/AMEMBASSY DUBLIN 0291
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0380
RUEHBL/AMCONSUL BELFAST 0001

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 USNATO 000098 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PARM PREL OTRA OVIP BE
SUBJECT: WELCOME TO NATO FOR SENATOR CHRISTOPHER DODD AND 
TRAVELING PARTY MARCH 16-18, 2008 
 
REF: STATE 26934 
 
¶1.  Mission welcomes The Honorable Christopher J. Dodd and 
traveling party March 16-18, 2008.  Control officers for the 
visit are USNATO Political Officer Reece Smyth, Office 
Tel:(32)2-724-3268, Cell: (32)0496-198-007, Fax: 
(32)2-724-3421, USEU Financial Attache Barbara Matthews, 
Office Tel:(32)2-508-2670, Cell: (32)(0)479-667-419, and US 
Embassy to Belgium Economic Counselor Richard Eason, Office 
Tel:(32)2-508-2540, Cell: (32)0475-326-910. 
 
 
¶2.  Hotel reservations have been confirmed at Sheraton Hotel 
Brussels the for Senator Dodd; Mr. Joshua Blumenfeld, 
Personal Representative of the Member on the Senate Foreign 
Relations Committee; Mr. Shawn Maher, Staff Director of the 
Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs; and 
Major Jeffery P. Mersiowsky, USArmy Senate Liason.  CODEL 
party arriving on March 17 and departing on March 18, 2008. 
Sheraton Hotel Brussels information: Sheraton, Place Rogier 
3, 1210 Brussels.  Tel:(32)2-224-3111. Fax:(32)2-224-3456. 
Confirmation numbers: Senator Dodd, 626506203; Mr. 
Blumenfeld, 006506210; Mr. Maher, 996506209; Mr. Mersiowsky, 
¶016506210. 
 
 
¶3.  USNATO Political Officer Reece Smyth will be at the 
Brussels International Airport in anticipation of United 
Airways Flight 950's arrival at 0615 to meet Senator Dodd and 
party.  Transportation has been arranged for the entire visit 
to Brussels. Two of the party's requested International Cell 
Phones and the Itinerary will be distributed by Mr. Smyth at 
the airport.  The party will procede to the Hotel. 
 
¶4.  Per Diem for Senator Dodd, Mr. Blumenfeld and Mr. Maher 
will be disbursed by USEU Financial Attache Barbara Matthews. 
 The party's third requested cell phone and all NATO visitor 
passes will be distributed by Ms. Matthews at USEU.  The 
Train tickets departing Brussels Gare di Midi Station on 
March 18, 2008 will be distributed by Mr. Smyth at NATO. 
 
¶4.  For security reasons, all visitors, even those with green 
NATO badges, must present two pieces of identification or 
their blue State Department-issued badge to the Marine Guard 
before being admitted into the U.S. Mission. Visitors must 
also leave cell phones and other electronic equipment with 
the Marine Guard.  Mission appreciates your cooperation. 
 
¶5.  Computer and Electronics Usage:  Inter-agency security 
standards prohibit the introduction or use of non-USG owned 
computer hardware and software at all USG diplomatic 
facilities.  Cell phones, palm pilots, radios and other 
convenience electronics are prohibited in all secure areas of 
the Mission.  Travelers who anticipate having special needs 
in terms of either access or computer usage should contact 
the RSO office before arriving at post. 
 
¶6.  Regarding money, there is a branch of the ING Bank at 
NATO which has an ATM that accepts U.S. bank/credit union 
cards on the "PLUS" system.  Numerous downtown banks also 
have ATM machines.  Traveler's checks can be exchanged in 
most banks.  On Tuesday and Thursday mornings, there is a 
cashier at USNATO to which TDY visitors with travel orders 
have access. 
 
¶7.  Threat Assessment:  A worldwide caution regarding the 
threat of transnational terrorism was issued by the 
Department of State.  (Please consult the Department's 
website for text:  HTTP:HTravel.State.Gov.)  In light of this 
caution and the events of September 11, 2001, all visitors 
are encouraged to assess their security posture, and be alert 
to their surroundings.  All visitors should exercise caution 
while traveling abroad as U.S. citizens and facilities are 
often the target of groups demonstrating opposition to the 
U.S. foreign policy. 
 
¶8.  Belgium remains a relatively safe country but as a result 
of the war in Iraq, and sentiments expressed by its citizens 
against the war, American visitors are advised to exercise 
caution and avoid anti-American demonstrations.  Also, it is 
prudent not to wear clothes or carry articles with logos and 
emblems associated with the United States at this time.  By 
taking reasonable precautions, visitors should enjoy an 
uneventful stay. However, purse snatching and pick-pocketing 
are occurring more frequently.  In Brussels, pick-pocketing 
and purse snatching are more prevalent in the metro system 
(subway, bus, tram) and at Brussels' three major train 
stations:  Gare du Nord (North Station), Gare Central 
(Central Station), and especially Gare du Midi (South 
 
USNATO 00000098  002 OF 002 
 
 
Station).  Extra caution should be used at the Gare Centrale 
Station.  Victims have been asked for assistance by someone 
who appeared lost and anxious to catch their train.  As the 
victim responds to the request, a third person appears and 
steals laptop computers, and other related travel items. 
According to the police, this is a new strategy by criminal 
gangs operating at Central Station.  Apparently they prefer 
platforms 3 and 4, used by trains going to the airport and 
obviously carrying the best category of potential victims. 
Valuables should never be left unattended in vehicles and car 
doors should always be kept locked when driving.  Carry only 
a minimum amount of cash, credit cards and ID.  Expensive 
jewelry, financial records, address books and other personal 
effects should be left at home or stored in a safe place 
during your visit. 
 
¶9. Emergency numbers for the Police and Medical Assistance 
are 101 and 100 respectively, and for cellular phones 
(locally) 112.  Visitors to Belgium requiring additional 
information should contact the Brussels Regional Security 
Office at (32)2-508-2370 (if dialing locally, 02-508-2370). 
 
¶10.  Please advise if further assistance is needed. 
NULAND