VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB
DE RUEHLO #2197/01 2401534
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 271534Z AUG 08
FM AMEMBASSY LONDON
TO RHEHAAA/WHITEHOUSE WASHDC
INFO RUEHRL/AMEMBASSY BERLIN 2670
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 0855
RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL 0702
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9594
RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO 1233
RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
167579C O N F I D E N T I A L LONDON 002197
SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/26/2018
TAGS: OTRA UK
SUBJECT: UK COUNTRY CLEARANCE IS GRANTED TO DEPUTY NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR FOR IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN DOUGLAS E. LUTE
REF: WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC 481
Classified By: Peter Lord, Reason: 1.4 (d)
1. (C) Embassy London is pleased to grant country clearance to Deputy National Security Advisor Douglas E. Lute and
delegation to visit London September 18-20 for meetings with UK officials.
2.(U) ----------------- Visit officer ----------------- XXXXXXXXXXXX If calling from within the UK replace 44 with 0; if
calling from landline within London, dial only the last eight digits.
3.(U) 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 classifed 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. (U) Confirmed reservations are held for the delegation at Marriott Grosvenor Square Hotel. The rate is within per
diem at 167.00, including VAT. London Marriott Grosvenor Square, located at Grosvenor Square, London W1A 4AW. The
telephone number is (44)(0)20 7493-1232 and the fax number is (44)(0)20 7491-3201. If calling from within the UK replace
44 with 0; if calling from landline within London, dial only the last eight digits.
5. (U) 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.
6. (U) 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.
7. (U) 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. (U) For up-to-date information regarding health concerns visit the internet at http://www.who.int/country/gbr/en/
9. (U) 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. (U) 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 avQtion 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. (U) Embassy London looks forward to your visit. Visit London's Classified Website: XXXXXXXXXXXX LEBARON