R 300751Z JAN 09
FM AMEMBASSY LJUBLJANA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 7155

UNCLAS LJUBLJANA 000026 
 
 
DEPT FOR DS/IP/EUR, DS/IP/ITA, DS/ICI/PII, DS/OSAC 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: AMGT APER ASEC SI
SUBJECT: LJUBLJANA - OVERSEAS SECURITY ADVISORY COUNCIL (OSAC) CRIME 
AND SAFETY REPORT 2009 
 
REF: 08 STATE 132056 
 
¶1. (U) Regional Security Officer Ljubljana submits the following 
Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) Crime and Safety Report 
2009 per reftel: 
 
Introduction 
 
The following is an assessment of the current overall crime and 
safety situation for Slovenia.  It is recommended the traveler 
review the U.S. Embassy website (http://www.slovenia.usembassy.gov) 
for all updated and special information.  Americans living or 
traveling in Slovenia are encouraged to register with the nearest 
U.S. Embassy through the State Department's travel registration 
website to obtain updated information on travel and security within 
Slovenia. 
 
¶I. Overall Crime and Safety Situation 
 
¶A. Slovenia's overall crime rate is low and violent crimes involving 
U.S. personnel and tourists are relatively uncommon. Most crimes 
tend to be non-violent and directed towards obtaining property such 
as purse snatching, pickpocketing and residential and vehicle 
break-ins. 
 
Street Crime: There have been smash-and-grab incidents against 
vehicles parked at local shopping centers, as well as incidents of 
purse snatching and pickpockets, at restaurants located in the city 
center, city-buses and the central open market. 
Vehicles: Vehicle break-ins and theft of vehicles are a continuous 
problem in Slovenia.  Most break-ins are done in order to obtain 
valuable contents, i.e., stereos or items left behind either in the 
passenger compartment or in the trunk.  Thefts of luxury vehicles, 
i.e., Volkswagen, Audi, and Mercedes, remain common and may be 
stolen for parts or for resale outside of Slovenia. 
 
Residences: Residential burglaries occur where there are security 
vulnerabilities and/or residents are not implementing residential 
security practices.  Some reports indicate access is gained because 
front/back/side/patio doors are not secured with locking mechanism. 
Thefts usually occur when occupants are away for an extended period 
of time. 
 
¶B. Slovenia has a well-developed road network that is safe for 
travel.  Highways connect to neighboring cities and countries and 
are clearly sign-posted.  Road safety still remains a major concern. 
 The number of traffic accidents has fallen in 2008 (197 as opposed 
to 268 in 2007) due to continuous traffic controls, increased 
penalty fines and safety awareness campaigns.  Most of the serious 
accidents in Slovenia occur as a result of high speed driving and/or 
driving under influence.  Emergency roadside help and information 
may be found by dialing 1987 for vehicle assistance and towing 
services, 112 for an ambulance or fire brigade, and 113 for police. 
By Slovene law, the maximum blood-alcohol limit is 0.05. 
 
The speed limit is 50-kph/30 mph in urban areas, 130 kph/80 mph on 
expressways (the "avtocesta").  Motorists are required to have their 
headlights on during the daytime and drivers and passengers must 
wear seat belts, and both drivers and passengers on motorcycles must 
wear sanctioned helmets.  The use of handheld cellular telephones 
while driving is prohibited in Slovenia. 
 
If you are involved in a traffic accident follow these procedures: 
do not move your vehicle, so that the accident scene can be 
maintained intact for the police to survey.  Secure the site of the 
accident (set up the red triangle 50 meters from the scene of the 
accident).  Fill out the European Traffic Accident Report.  Most 
European drivers keep a copy of the report in their vehicle.  One 
European Accident Report is sufficient for two parties in an 
accident.  Both drivers have to sign the accident report for it to 
become effective.  The police will inform you how you can obtain the 
copy of the police report.  If you intend to drive the damaged 
vehicle across the border, this report is mandatory. 
 
II. Political Violence 
 
¶A. The terrorist threat level is low.  This assessment takes into 
account historical data relevant to terrorist activities and recent 
reporting indicating whether acts could be conducted without prior 
advance warnings. 
 
¶B. Human trafficking is the most common form of organized crime in 
Slovenia, with the criminal cartels largely connected with the 
Western Balkans.  There have also been cases of arms trafficking and 
distribution of counterfeited Euros. 
 
¶C. Little, if any, international/transnational terrorist activity 
has been observed in Slovenia so far.  Being a member of the 
Schengen area, Slovenia exerts strict control over its borders and 
procedures for issuing visas. 
 
¶D. There are occasional political demonstrations in city centers in 
Slovenia, most often occurring in central Ljubljana areas around 
Kongresni Trg (Congress Square), in front of the Parliament 
building, around other local government facilities, and at times 
near the U.S. Embassy.  These demonstrations are usually peaceful 
and generally are not anti-American in nature.   However, there have 
been demonstrations that voiced anti-American sentiments. 
 
III. Post Specific Concerns 
 
¶A. A massive earthquake in or around Slovenia constitutes the 
largest post-specific threat for American citizens in Slovenia. The 
northwest section of the country is the most seismically active 
area, but Ljubljana also experienced earth tremors in the past. 
 
¶B. No major industrial or transportation accidents have been 
reported.  Slovenia co-owns a nuclear power plant in Krsko, located 
100 kilometers east from Ljubljana.  A minor coolant leak from the 
reactor was reported in June 2008, which resulted in a large amount 
of media attention due to a poor notification procedure.  The power 
plant was built in 1981 in accordance with Western standards. 
 
¶C. No cases of kidnappings have been reported. 
 
¶D. Slovenia is neither a major drug producer nor a major transit 
country for illicit narcotics.  Heroin from Afghanistan, which 
transits Turkey, continues to be smuggled via the "Balkan Route" and 
port of Koper through Slovenia to Western Europe.  Drug-related 
violence and kidnappings are extremely rare.  Slovenian police 
increased efforts to counter drug smuggling, which resulted in 
several big drug busts in 2008, 80 kilos of cocaine in June and 98 
tons of acetic anhydride used for heroin production, in July. 
 
IV. Police Response 
 
¶A. Police response and services throughout Slovenia are good.  The 
police are well-trained and equipped.  English is the most widely 
spoken foreign language among the Slovene police.  If an individual 
believes that they have been detained or harassed by the police, 
they should request that the US Embassy be contacted. 
 
¶B. If you have been the victim of a crime in Slovenia, please refer 
to the following list of telephone numbers for assistance: 
 
Police - 113 
Fire/Ambulance - 112 
U.S. Embassy/24-hour Emergency Number: (386)-(1)-200-5500 
 
The U.S. Embassy Regional Security Office (RSO) recommends filing a 
local police report in the jurisdiction where the crime occurred. 
Filing a police report is not obligatory; however, filing a report 
may assist the local police in catching the criminal(s).  In the 
city center of Ljubljana, reports should be given in person at the 
Ljubljana Police Station Center; address: Trdinova Street 10, 
telephone number: (386)-(0)1-475-0600. 
 
¶V. Medical Emergencies 
¶A. Adequate medical care is readily available.  Travelers to 
Slovenia may obtain a list of English-speaking physicians at the 
U.S. Embassy or online at http://www.slovenia.usembassy.gov/medical 
assistance.html. 
The primary hospital in Ljubljana is the Klinicni Center located at 
Zaloka 2.  The contact numbers for the hospital are: general, 
(386)-(1)-52-25-050; emergency, (386)-(1)-52-24-341. Immediate 
payment for medical services is required. 
 
¶B. The provider of Air Ambulance Services is the Slovene Police and 
in some cases Slovene Army.  There is no commercial provider of 
these services at this time.  The new heliport at Klinicni center is 
currently under construction. 
 
VI. Travel Precautions 
 
¶A. American visitors are generally safe in Slovenia and are not 
singled out or targeted based on nationality, but rather for looking 
like a tourist.  Most of the crimes committed against American 
visitors fall into the category of petty theft, such as 
pickpocketing and purse snatching.  These occur mostly in crowded 
areas, train stations, restaurants, open markets and public 
transportation. 
 
¶B. At present there are no off-limit areas designated by the 
Regional Security Officer in Ljubljana.  Still, travelers should be 
cautious when visiting some night clubs and bars. 
 
VII. Additional Information 
 
¶A. Contact numbers: Regional Security Office: (386)-(1)-200-5619; 
Embassy Operator: 386)-(1)-200-5500; Medical Unit: 
(386)-(1)-200-5627; Consular Affairs: 386)-(1)-200-5734; Pol/Econ 
Section: (386)-(1)-200-5708; Marine Post One: (386)-(1)-200-5556 
 
VIII. OSAC Country Council: None 
 
¶2. (U) Point of Contact for this cable is Regional Security Officer 
 
 
Vanessa C. Freeman, Phone: (386)-(1)-200-5619 or email: 
freemanvc@state.gov. 
 
 
FREDEN