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Viewing cable 09LONDON1037, UK COUNTRY CLEARANCE IS GRANTED TO STAFFDEL FRANTZ

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Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
09LONDON1037 2009-05-01 11:07 2011-08-30 01:44 UNCLASSIFIED Embassy London
VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHLO #1037/01 1211107
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 011107Z MAY 09
FM AMEMBASSY LONDON
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2180
INFO RUEHSW/AMEMBASSY BERN 0611
UNCLAS LONDON 001037 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE PLEASE PASS TO HAZEL THOMAS AND DELORES PARKS, 
BUREAU OF LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS (H) 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OTRA OSCE AMGT ASEC AFIN UK
SUBJECT: UK COUNTRY CLEARANCE IS GRANTED TO STAFFDEL FRANTZ 
 
REF: STATE 040860 
 
1.  Embassy London is pleased to grant country clearance to 
Douglas Frantz to visit London May 7 - May 10, 2009,for 
consultations. 
 
   ------------- 
2. Visit Officer 
   ------------- 
 
Chris Palmer, Political Officer 
Embassy phone is  (44) 20-7894-0123 or IVG 492-0123 
Fax  (44) 20-7894-0117 
Cell:(44) 7720 805 782 
Email PalmerCG@state.gov. 
 
3. TDY Travelers requiring Opennet Email:  please give 
requests to your visit officer for London ISD at least 48 
hours prior to arrival at post.  The following information 
must be provided: Duty Station Exchange Server Name, Duty 
Station User ID, and Duty Station User Domain Name. 
 
If a classified computer drive is required, please notify 
your visit officer as soon as possible (minimum 72 hours 
prior to arrival) by cable with the name and security 
clearance level of the person who will be using the drive. 
 
Carry-on Luggage:  Be advised that the limit for carry-on 
baggage out of the UK is ONE bag only.  In the U.S. and in 
other parts of Europe, travelers are allowed one piece of 
carry-on and one personal item.  The extra personal item is 
not allowed on UK flights. 
 
4.  Confirmed reservations are held for Mr. Frantz at: 
Marriott Grosvenor House, arriving May 7, departing May 10. 
The rate is within per diem at 163.30 including VAT.  The 
confirmation number is: 839I4404. 
 
Grosvenor House, located at Park Lane, London W1A 3AA.  The 
telephone number is (44)(0)20 7499-6363 and the fax number is 
(44)(0)20 7493-3341. (Note: The zero in parentheses (0) is 
required when dialing in the UK.) 
 
5.  Hotel Check-In: Please note that the check-in time at all 
London hotels is 1400.  Early check-in can be requested but 
can only be guaranteed if the room is reserved and paid for 
from the night prior to arrival. We requested an early 
check-in, but the hotel was unable to confirm early check-in 
without paying for the cost of the prior night.  The hotel 
indicated that gratis early check in might be possible, if a 
room were available. Check-out time is generally 1200. 
Please also note that the hotel will require a credit card on 
check-in.  Travelers may, of course, pay on departure with 
cash.  Travelers should NOT exchange money at the hotel, as 
the much less favorable rate of exchange may push the room 
rate over London's per diem. 
 
6.  Changes/Cancellation of Reservations: 
Any changes to hotel reservations MUST be made 48 hours in 
advance of arrival.  Changes made after that time may incur a 
night,s lodging charge.  Please make all changes through 
your Visit Officer and not directly with the hotel. 
 
7.  Accommodation Exchange: 
ATMs are widely available in London and accept most major US 
ATM cards.  ATM and credit card transactions obtain the best 
available exchange rates.  Please exercise normal precautions 
(i.e. concealing PIN number) when using ATMs.  Exchange 
services are available from well-known firms at the airports 
and train stations.  In addition, the U.S. Embassy cashier is 
prepared to exchange U.S. dollars for Pounds Sterling (BPS) 
during their office hours for official TDYers for limited 
amounts.  U.S. citizen direct-hire TDYers may cash personal 
checks; all others should bring cash or traveler,s checks. 
 
8.  For up-to-date information regarding health concerns 
visit the internet at http://www.who.int/country/gbr/en/ 
 
9.  Security Clearance: 
If confirmation of the level of traveler's security clearance 
was not contained in the original country clearance request, 
please send it via cable to facilitate unescorted access to 
the Embassy as required by 12 FAM 443.3. 
 
10.  Security Information for the United Kingdom: 
Our current threat assessment indicates there are no known 
direct immediate security problems that would affect travel 
to mainland UK.  Travelers planning to stay longer than 30 
days are required to schedule a security briefing with the 
RSO.  For additional threat assessment information regarding 
the United Kingdom and/or Europe, you may contact DS/ITA in 
the State Department at (202) 663-0787. 
 
-- Aviation security:  Travelers are advised to check with 
transportation security authorities to obtain current 
aviation security information. 
 
-- Terrorism.  The United Kingdom is stable and modern, but 
shares with the rest of the world an increased threat of 
terrorist incidents of international origin, as was shown 
with the bombing attack in London July 7, 2005.  Visitors are 
reminded to remain vigilant with regard to their personal 
security and to exercise caution at all times.  The British 
Home Secretary has urged its citizens to be alert and 
vigilant by, for example, keeping an eye out for suspect 
packages or people acting suspiciously at Underground and 
railway stations and airports, and reporting anything 
suspicious to the appropriate authorities by contacting the 
free anti-terrorist telephone hotline on 0800-789-321. 
Travelers should regularly monitor the Department,s internet 
web site at http://travel.state.gov where the current 
Worldwide Caution Public Announcement can be found. In 
addition, if visitors notice any suspicious activity or have 
any security concerns, the embassy Regional Security Officer 
(RSO) should be notified as soon as possible. 
 
From time to time during periods of heightened threat of 
terrorism, the UK government deems it necessary to raise 
levels of security activity.  Heightened activity may include 
the use of troops, who remain at all times under the control 
of the police and are part of long-standing contingency 
plans.  Military personnel and equipment may be deployed at 
airports and other transportation links, or other public 
locations.  For more information about UK safety initiatives, 
consult the UK Civil Contingencies Secretariat website at 
www.ukresilience.gov.uk. 
 
Political demonstrations are well policed and, except at 
times in Northern Ireland, generally orderly.  Although the 
political situation in Northern Ireland has dramatically 
improved since the signing of the Good Friday Agreements in 
1998, incidents of terrorist violence have, nevertheless, 
occurred in the past few years.  Within Northern Ireland, 
flash-points for sectarian confrontations still exist, but 
they are generally removed from areas where tourists 
congregate.  Sporadic incidents of street violence often 
erupt during the summer marching season around the July 12 
public holiday.  As a result, American citizens traveling in 
Northern Ireland have experienced delays and disruption. 
 
-- Street Crime:  London, like other urban centers, has a 
certain amount of street crime.  Although on the increase, 
violent criminal confrontations and the use of firearms are 
relatively rare in the UK.  Burglars and pickpockets are very 
active and visitors are encouraged to safeguard their 
valuables and not carry large amounts of cash or unneeded 
credit cards.  Visitors should be particularly careful on 
crowded streets, in entertainment areas, in department 
stores, restaurants, or on crowded public transportation. 
Travelers are specifically warned not to leave valuables in 
hotel rooms, regardless of the stature of the hotel. 
Recently there has been a measurable increase in street 
crimes involving the theft of cell phones. Visitors should 
avoid as much as possible using cell phones on the streets or 
in other public places.  The police and other emergency 
services in the UK are excellent.  The nationwide telephone 
number to summon emergency assistance is 999. 
 
 
11.  Heathrow Airport Arrival Information:  The best way to 
get from Heathrow to Central London is to take the Heathrow 
Express train.  It leaves every fifteen minutes from all 
Heathrow terminals.  Travel time is fifteen minutes to 
London's Paddington Station.  Service operates from 0510 to 
2347 daily.  The cost is 16.50 pounds one-way if ticket is 
purchased from a kiosk prior to boarding, or 19.50 pounds 
when purchased aboard the train.  Paddington Station is about 
a ten-minute taxi ride to central London.  Taxi (black) cab 
service is also available from Heathrow to central London and 
the fare ranges from 60-100 pounds, but could exceed that, 
depending on traffic conditions. 
 
12.  Embassy London looks forward to your visit. 
 
 
Visit London's Classified Website: 
http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Unit ed_Kingdom 
 
TOKOLA