INDEPENDENT NEWS

Cablegate: New Zealand Country Clearance for Codel Shelby,

Published: Wed 4 Aug 2004 12:12 AM
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 WELLINGTON 000658
SIPDIS
FOR EAP/ANP - THOMAS RAMSEY
FOR H
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OREP AMGT ASEC AFIN NZ AS CODEL
SUBJECT: NEW ZEALAND COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR CODEL SHELBY,
AUGUST 7 - 9, 2004.
REF: STATE 163811
1. Embassy warmly welcomes and grants country clearance to
the delegation led by Senator Richard Shelby to visit
Christchurch and Wellington, New Zealand August 7-9, 2004.
Members of the CODEL are: Senator Richard Shelby, Dr.
Annette Shelby and Representative Robert Cramer.
Accompanying staff are: Ms. Kathy Casey, Ms. Anne Caldwell,
and Ms Victoria Cox. Accompanying DOD escort is: LTC Lon
Pribble. The purpose of the visit is to meet with high-
level officials regarding financial, economic, trade, and
security issues.
2. Schedule and administrative items reftel are being
addressed separately. The following NOTIONAL schedule is
included as directed, but details are subject to change:
Saturday, AUGUST 7
16:00 -- CODEL arrives at Christchurch Airport via MilAir C-
37. Met by Charge David Burnett and Mrs. Burnett.
(NZ will spray the inside of the airplane, before anyone is
allowed to deplane, on arrival in Christchurch. Crew and
delegation onboard should be aware of this as well as the
prohibition on bringing any fruit/nuts/vegetables etc. off
the plane.)
16:45 -- Check in to Crowne Plaza Hotel
Corner Kilmore & Durham Streets, Christchurch
Tel: +64 3 365-7799
Fax: +64 3 365-0082
19:00 -- No-host dinner with Charge David Burnett and
control officer Tim Zuniga-Brown. (Venue TBD)
RON -- Crowne Plaza Hotel.
Control Room staffed from 0600-2300 daily.
Accommodation Exchange will be offered in Control Room upon
arrival.
Sunday, AUGUST 8
Breakfast - at hotel.
10:00 -- Delegation tour of Christchurch Arts Gallery.
11:00 -- Delegation departs for windshield tour of
Christchurch en route to Pegasus Bay Winery.
12:00 -- Arrive Pegasus Bay Winery. No-Host lunch/wine
tasting. (POC - Bob Franklin, Visits Manager, Department of
Internal Affairs. Tel: 470-2910; cell: 027-448-3710.)
14:00 -- Delegation returns to Christchurch (Crowne Plaza).
19:00 -- Dinner hosted by Minister Jim Anderton (Economic
Development and Industry) Location: TBD.
RON -- Crowne Plaza.
Monday, AUGUST 9
06:00 -- Baggage call.
07:30 -- Check out of Crowne Plaza. Depart for Airport.
08:30 -- Depart Christchurch via MilAir.
09:10 -- Arrive Wellington Airport.
10:00 -- Brief windshield tour of Wellington.
Or -- (T) Tour of WETA Workshop and studios
11:00 -- Meeting with NZ Reserve Bank Governor Allan
Bollard.
12:00 -- Meeting with Opposition - National Party (T)
12:30 -- Lunch hosted by Charge Burnett.
Il Casino Restaurant.
14:30 -- Meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for
Finance Michael Cullen. Venue TBD.
15:00 -- Meeting with Minister for Defense and Tourism
Michael Burton. Venue TBD.
15:30 -- Meeting with Minister for Trade James Sutton.
16:00 -- Depart for Airport.
16:30 -- Depart Wellington for Sydney, Australia via Mil
Air.
3. Control officer for the visit is Pol/Econ Counselor Tim
Brown. Contact details are as follows:
Office: 64-4-462-6033 or 6063
Fax: 64-4-472-3538
Cell: 027-451-2539
Home: 64-4-567-6830
E-Mail: Zuniga-Brown@state.gov
4. Biosecurity Fines:
The government of New Zealand instituted fines for non-
declared biosecurity hazards on travelers entering New
Zealand with undeclared plant, animal or food material.
Travelers found carrying these undeclared items will be
immediately fined NZ$200 (US $150). Biosecurity is a
serious issue in New Zealand and fines will be administered
immediately and without warnings.
5. Security Assessment:
a. There are no local terrorist groups or support groups
believed to be operating in New Zealand at this time. In
light of the worldwide security alert all visitors should
heighten their security awareness and report any unusual
incidents to the regional security office.
b. Anonymous telephonic threats and obscure threat mail
have occasionally targeted U.S. diplomatic missions in New
Zealand. In response to U.S. policies and actions, various
groups in New Zealand have demonstrated occasionally at the
embassy in Wellington and at the consulate in Auckland.
These demonstrations were of a small scale and were
peacefully conducted. During these demonstrations, the host
country police and protective services provided adequate
protection to the embassy and consulate.
c. While New Zealand is considered a low threat crime
environment, Wellington and Auckland have experienced an
increase in violent and petty crimes. Home invasion
robberies and assaults, once very rare, are becoming more
frequent. Burglaries and thefts occur countrywide.
Visitors should be aware that street crime is a daily
occurrence in the larger cities, including Wellington and
Auckland. Common sense precautions should be taken,
especially at night, to avoid becoming a target of
opportunity.
d. All forms of public transportation are generally safe at
all times of the day.
Swindells
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