Defense Security Briefing

Purpose

U.S. military, Government, civilian and defense contractor personnel are considered prime targets of Foreign Intelligence Services and terrorist groups. The purpose of this briefing is to acquaint the traveler with the risks involved in traveling to foreign countries and to furnish you guidance that may enable you to minimize those risks.

Background

Many foreign countries offer interesting travel brochures, special rates, and other inducements through U.S. branches of their travel bureaus in efforts to attract the growing number of Americans traveling abroad. Past cases reveal that American personnel performing such travel may be subject to surveillance and collection operations by the various foreign intelligence services. Travelers may also be subject to terrorism or other acts of violence either by design or by circumstance.

Foreign Intelligence Services (FIS)

All foreign countries actively engage in the collection of intelligence information. However, whether they are “hostile,” “neutral,” or “allied,” there is no such thing as a “friendly” foreign intelligence service.

The main objective of any FIS is to gain advantage for their nation through the collection of information. Currently, the most prized type of intelligence is scientific and technological data, followed by the classified Government information, but unclassified material—even material which appears to be trivial can also be of inestimable value. Potentially, the most valuable sources of information are those acquired through the use of individuals recruited as agents by FIS. In addition to penetrating the Government and its official organizations, the penetration of commercial businesses, educational and private institutions involved in sensitive, national defense-related research and development work can be of tremendous value. Of course, the single greatest achievement an intelligence organization can have is the placement or recruitment of an agent directly in a sensitive position in a national defense or intelligence element of another government.

(1) FIS are relentless and seek information wherever, whenever, and from whomever they can and employ any and all tactics necessary to target, recruit and exploit potential sources. Among the tactics they may use against U.S. personnel is a smooth, subtle, seemingly guileless approach—befriending targets, treating them to gifts or money, wining and dining them in the belief that Americans are hopeless materialists who can be swayed easily by appeals to their greed.

(2) Recognizing that most Americans are generally friendly and gregarious people who enjoy talking to others, FIS operatives frequently employ a seemingly innocuous and very effective method of intelligence gathering known as “elicitation.” Elicitation is the art and science of engaging someone in simple, “innocent” conversation for the purpose of getting the targeted individual to speak openly and more in depth and, possibly reveal classified information on topics of interest to FIS operatives. Practiced by experts, the target of elicitation may not even realize that he or she has been elicited until “too much” has been said. Elicitation is smooth and insidious. Beware of it!

(3) In another maneuver known as the “False Flag” approach, an FIS operative misrepresents himself as a citizen of a country friendly to the United States. Thus, a targeted American may be duped into handing over information by being led to believe he is aiding an ally of the United States. In a variation of this tactic, FIS agents may pose as representatives of a country towards which a targeted American is particularly sympathetic. Also, if an FIS agent believes an individual has similar sympathies, he or she may make an appeal for information based on ideology. A “pitch” for information may also be geared to take advantage of an American’s desire for international harmony and world peace. Similarly, certain FIS organizations not only routinely charge their own citizen-students studying abroad in the U.S. to collect information but, also regularly target Americans of their own ethnicity using a variety of tactics to include everything from bribery and patriotic appeals to support their “mother country” to outright blackmail and threats.

(4) Another favored appeal exploits the American belief in freedom of speech and the free exchange of information. For example, an FIS agent in the role of a scientist may suggest to an American scientist that science has no political boundaries. Therefore, in the interest of science, the American is encouraged to share his knowledge with a fellow “member” of the international scientific community.

(5) FIS also use aggressive means in their ceaseless quest for strategic information. Espionage is their business and patriotic duty. If they feel coercion and blackmail shall serve their purpose, they shall not hesitate to employ those methods. As you travel, do not place yourself in a compromising position by engaging in abnormal or promiscuous sexual behavior, black marketing, violating local laws, or photographing or straying into restricted areas. FIS keep travelers under constant surveillance by using agents, video and photographic surveillance, and bugging devices in hotel rooms, bars, restaurants, lounges, and telephones. Such methods may provide them the material to entrap an unwary traveler.

(6) Harassment and provocation are other tools that may be employed by FIS. Travelers may be placed in unusual situations that may cause an incident or elicit a response that would entangle or compromise an individual.

Terrorist, Criminal, and Mob Violence

Terrorists have a different objective than FIS—they are interested in “sensationalism” or other use that can be derived from the compromise, embarrassment, interrogation, kidnapping, or death of a U.S. citizen. The threat changes constantly and is contingent upon the country and area visited along with world events. However, from a general perspective, the threat of terrorism to a traveler should be considered minimal, unless the traveler happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. As with FIS, a terrorist group must know the “who, where, when, and how,” to target a specific individual. Therefore, maintaining a “low profile” and not drawing undue attention to one’s affiliation with the U.S. Government is essential. Even though an individual may not be targeted for terrorism, an individual can still become a victim of terrorism. Being in the wrong place at the wrong time may be unavoidable, but the risk of being a chance victim of terrorism can still be reduced. Remember, most terrorists select “soft” targets like commercial establishments and individuals residing within that country. For the most part, except in situations where FIS is supporting, sponsoring, or otherwise has a relationship with a particular terrorist organization, terrorists do not have sophisticated collection capabilities to determine names of a traveler and then target that person. They prefer to concentrate on individuals residing in-country.

Criminal or Mob Violence. No matter where anyone travels, criminal elements (thieves, muggers, etc.) are present. The foreign traveler is a good target because the traveler may be disadvantaged by being in an unfamiliar place, ignorant of local laws, and unable to freely communicate because of a language barrier. In unstable political areas or where the United States is unwelcome, the presence of a U.S. citizen may be enough provocation to cause an incident or become a victim of mob violence. Any minor incident or breach of law or custom involving a U.S. citizen can be blown vastly out of proportion creating a much larger incident.

Travel Guidance

Common-sense rules for any traveler are often overlooked in the rush to acquire tickets, hotel reservations, visas, etc.:

Personal Concerns

(1) Travelers should not reference their intelligence affiliation or access to classified information.

(2) Travelers should not bring any personal objects with them that they cannot afford to lose. This applies especially to jewelry items. Carry traveler’s checks and one or two major credit cards, not large amounts of cash.

(3) Travelers should make a copy of the identification page of their passport before their departure and take it with them. Copies should be kept separate from the passport itself. Also, travelers should memorize their passport number. While traveling, travelers should leave their passport and any unneeded money locked in a hotel safe-deposit box. If local law does not require persons to keep their passport with them, travelers should carry only the photocopy of their passport and driver’s license when leaving the hotel.

(4) Travelers should advise the U.S. Embassy in each host country of their complete itinerary. Keep in contact and record the address and telephone number of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in each host or major city in which a visit is planned.

(5) Travel with several passport size photos. In some areas, it can be difficult to replace photos on short notice if your passport is lost or stolen.

(6) U. S. driver’s licenses are valid in Canada and Western Europe; elsewhere you shall need an international driver’s permit available from the American Automobile Association. Even with an international permit, foreigners are forbidden to drive in countries such as Egypt, Vietnam, China, and Nepal. Know local traffic laws and penalties, which may be severe. In Indonesia, for example, fines for not wearing a seat belt can be $1,500.

(7) The Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Office of Overseas Citizen Services provides current, country-specific threat information and offers consular information sheets, travel warnings, public announcements, tips for travelers brochures, visa bulletins, and other consular information. Callers outside the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area are charged the cost of a long distance phone call, but there are no additional charges for this service. They may also be contacted through the internet at US Department of State Travel Website.

(8) Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747) or via CDC Traveler’s Health Website for reports of medical alerts in foreign countries.

(9) Travelers should ensure their medical insurance covers the travel. Personal health insurance policies may be valid while you are visiting Europe, but may not cover individuals while white-water rafting in Canada.

(10) Carry ample supplies of pain relievers, antacids, diarrhea and motion-sickness remedies, antibiotic cream, gauze bandages, water purification tablets, insect repellent, sunscreen and prescription medication.

(11) Travelers should carry prescription medications in their original containers. Travelers can be detained during a custom’s search and questioned concerning the pills.

(12) Medical or dental service should be obtained only from a U.S. Government facility or from persons or institutions approved by U.S. Embassy officials.

Hotel Concerns

(1) Be careful about leaving items in hotel room safes. Safe-deposit boxes in a hotel lobby are better, but the best are similar to those in a U.S. bank, with two keys and under 24-hour observation. Do not leave valuables or important papers lying around your hotel room.

(2) Do not stay above the sixth floor. Many foreign fire companies do not have ladders that go beyond this floor. The third floor is your best choice. Occupants of rooms lower than the third floor are subject to a higher degree of burglaries or robberies by people entering from the street.

Airport and Customs Concerns

(1) Be careful to make an accurate and complete declaration of money (including traveler’s checks), credit cards, and all valuables (including cameras and jewelry whether worn or carried). It is imperative to retain a copy of this declaration until departure. Use only authorized banks and currency exchanges.

(2) Security screening process at international airports shall vary depending upon the country visited. Arrive at the airport at least 2 hours prior to departure. This allows for ample time to pass through the security screening process. Do not linger in the airport ticketing area after checking-in. This is the most vulnerable section of the airport and has been the repeated target for terrorist groups. Proceed to the security area as soon as possible. Questions asked by airport security officials may sound like the officer is conducting an interrogation. The officer is looking for indications of possible criminal or terrorist activity. Be cooperative and answer all questions truthfully. Airport security officials may be especially concerned with electronic devices, so travelers should be forthcoming about any in their possession. In Germany, airport officials have been known to request individuals to extract the batteries from the devices before boarding the aircraft. Other countries may have similar policies.