VZCZCXYZ0008
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHLO #1797/01 2171510
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 051510Z AUG 09
FM AMEMBASSY LONDON
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3075

UNCLAS LONDON 001797 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR H AND EUR/WE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: AMGT OVIP OREP ASEC AFIN UK
SUBJECT: EMBASSY LONDON WELCOMES CODEL COCHRAN/LEAHY 
 
REF: SECSTATE 77191 
 
¶1. Embassy London is pleased to welcome CODEL Cochran/Leahy 
to London September 1 - September 6, 2009, to participate in 
the British-American Parliamentary Group (BAPG) Conference. 
 
¶2.  ---------------- 
    Visit Officer 
    ---------------- 
 
    Daniel McNicholas, Political Officer 
    Embassy Phone: 44-20-7894-0143 
    Fax: 44-20-7894-0117 
    Email: McNicholasdf@state.gov 
    Cell: 44-7909-990-352. 
 
If calling from within the UK replace 44 with 0, if calling 
from landline to landline within London, dial only the last 
eight digits. 
 
¶3.  Confirmed reservations are held for CODEL Cochran/Leahy 
at: Grosvenor House Hotel. The rate is within per diem at 
175 including VAT and breakfast per single room.  Grosvenor 
House, Park Lane, London W1A 3AA.  Telephone number is 
(44)(0)20 7499-6363, Fax number is (44)(0)20 7493-3341. If 
calling from within the UK replace 44 with 0; if calling from 
landline within London, dial only the last eight digits. 
 
¶4. 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. 
 
-------------------------- 
General Travel Information 
-------------------------- 
 
¶6.  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.  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. 
 
¶7.  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 direct with the hotel. 
 
¶8.  Accommodation Exchange: 
ATMs are widely available in London and accept most major 
U.S. ATM cards.  ATM and credit card transactions obtain the 
best available exchange rates.  Exchange services are 
available from well-known firms at the airports and train 
stations.  In addition, Citibank has established a bank in 
the embassy where official TDYers can exchange U.S. dollars 
for British Pounds Sterling (BPS) during Citibank office 
hours for limited amounts.  U.S. citizen direct-hire TDYers 
may cash personal checks; all others should bring cash or 
traveler,s checks. 
 
¶9.  For up-to-date information regarding health concerns 
visit the internet at http://www.who.int/country/gbr/en/ 
 
¶10.  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. 
 
¶11.  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. 
 
 
¶12.  U.S. Embassy London Website: 
Please visit our website for additional information: 
http://london.usembassy.gov.  Embassy London looks forward to 
your visit. 
 
Visit London's Classified Website: 
http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Unit ed_Kingdom 
 
MELVILLE