Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04GUATEMALA1510
2004-06-17 16:44:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Guatemala
Cable title:
COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR USDOL/ILAB OFFICIAL
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS GUATEMALA 001510
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR FOR ILAB/TIA GONZALEZ
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID ELAB OTRA
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR USDOL/ILAB OFFICIAL
AND CONTRACTORS
REF: SECSTATE 132250
Embassy welcomes proposed visit of Paula Church, U S
Department of Labor/International Labor Affairs Bureau
(USDOL/ILAB) Program Manager; and USDOL contractors Rodolfo
Piza, Luis Guillermo Solis, Randall Arias, and Ron Venezia
from July 1, 2004 to July 3, 2004. Country clearance is
granted. The purpose of the trip is to attend the official
launch of the USDOL project "Cumple y Gana." We understand
no additional Embassy assistance is required regarding local
transportation or hotels.
2. Your control officer for this visit is Political Officer
Nicole Otallah. She may be reached at (502) 331-1541, Ext.
4204 or on her cell phone at (502) 208-8265. For assistance
after Embassy business hours (5:00 P.M.) or in emergencies,
call the Embassy duty officer at 331-2354.
3. Regarding reftel request, post has confirmed that the
Minister of Labor will participate as a speaker at the
"Cumple y Gana" launch on July 1, 2004. The Ambassador will
also speak at the event. POL Intern Francis (Ned) Kelly
((502) 331-1541, ext. 4636) is handling Embassy participation
in this event.
4. Mission hours of operation are 7:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.
Monday through Thursday and 7:30 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. on
Friday. Currency exchange facilities are available in the
airport terminal. The exchange rate fluctuates; at present it
is about 8.00 Quetzals to 1 U.S. Dollar.
5. Current security regulations may limit visitor's access to
USG facilities and to classified information and classified
information handling equipment. Implementation of these
regulations requires that the mission's regional security
office be notified of the full name, Social Security number
and type of security clearance, if any, held by the visitor.
Without this notification, visitors will require escort in
USG facilities and may not have access to classified
information or classified information handling equipment
while in Guatemala.
6. Hepatitis A is endemic to Guatemala. We urge travelers to
obtain a Gamma Globulin or Havrix vaccination before arrival.
7. Guatemala City is at 5,000 feet and has a temperate
climate: spring/fall weight clothing is most comfortable.
From June to October it rains almost daily.
8. A passport is required for travel into Guatemala. No visa
or tourist card is required. A visa is required for any stay
over ninety days, which the Travel Section will process upon
arrival. An airport exit fee of USDOLS 30.00 or the
equivalent in Quetzals is levied on all departing travelers
bearing a passport other than Diplomatic.
9. Crime Information and Recommendations: The Department of
State rates Guatemala's crime threat as Critical. Violent
criminal activity has been a problem in all parts of
Guatemala for years, including a high number of murders,
rapes, and armed assaults. Well-armed gangs that sometimes
use massive force and emboldened armed robbers have attacked
vehicles on main roads in broad daylight. Travel on rural
roads increases the risk of a criminal roadblock or ambush.
Travelers must be alert for car-jacking, road robbery and
street robbery. Traveling in groups and with multiple
vehicles during daylight hours, carrying few valuables and
using well-traveled routes are advisable. If confronted by
criminals, resistance may provoke a more violent response.
Police response is slow and their capabilities are seriously
limited. Roadblocks and demonstrations frequently appear in
Guatemala with little or no notice. Most demonstrations in
Guatemala have been peaceful, but some have turned violent.
Avoid agitated crowds.
Petty crimes are common, particularly within cities and
tourist sites. Buses are often the scene of thefts,
intimidation and robberies. Taxis should be used with
caution; preference should be given to hotel-based cabs and
known dispatcher services. Mission policy is that any
overland travel, except within the Guatemala City metro area
or day travel to Antigua, must be coordinated with the RSO in
advance.
10. Security briefings. All official travelers are required
to receive a security briefing from the RSO or an RSO
approved electronic or paper document via their control
officer. Travelers are encouraged to review the Consular
Information Sheet, available on the State Intranet or
Internet, prior to travel.
HAMILTON
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR FOR ILAB/TIA GONZALEZ
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID ELAB OTRA
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR USDOL/ILAB OFFICIAL
AND CONTRACTORS
REF: SECSTATE 132250
Embassy welcomes proposed visit of Paula Church, U S
Department of Labor/International Labor Affairs Bureau
(USDOL/ILAB) Program Manager; and USDOL contractors Rodolfo
Piza, Luis Guillermo Solis, Randall Arias, and Ron Venezia
from July 1, 2004 to July 3, 2004. Country clearance is
granted. The purpose of the trip is to attend the official
launch of the USDOL project "Cumple y Gana." We understand
no additional Embassy assistance is required regarding local
transportation or hotels.
2. Your control officer for this visit is Political Officer
Nicole Otallah. She may be reached at (502) 331-1541, Ext.
4204 or on her cell phone at (502) 208-8265. For assistance
after Embassy business hours (5:00 P.M.) or in emergencies,
call the Embassy duty officer at 331-2354.
3. Regarding reftel request, post has confirmed that the
Minister of Labor will participate as a speaker at the
"Cumple y Gana" launch on July 1, 2004. The Ambassador will
also speak at the event. POL Intern Francis (Ned) Kelly
((502) 331-1541, ext. 4636) is handling Embassy participation
in this event.
4. Mission hours of operation are 7:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.
Monday through Thursday and 7:30 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. on
Friday. Currency exchange facilities are available in the
airport terminal. The exchange rate fluctuates; at present it
is about 8.00 Quetzals to 1 U.S. Dollar.
5. Current security regulations may limit visitor's access to
USG facilities and to classified information and classified
information handling equipment. Implementation of these
regulations requires that the mission's regional security
office be notified of the full name, Social Security number
and type of security clearance, if any, held by the visitor.
Without this notification, visitors will require escort in
USG facilities and may not have access to classified
information or classified information handling equipment
while in Guatemala.
6. Hepatitis A is endemic to Guatemala. We urge travelers to
obtain a Gamma Globulin or Havrix vaccination before arrival.
7. Guatemala City is at 5,000 feet and has a temperate
climate: spring/fall weight clothing is most comfortable.
From June to October it rains almost daily.
8. A passport is required for travel into Guatemala. No visa
or tourist card is required. A visa is required for any stay
over ninety days, which the Travel Section will process upon
arrival. An airport exit fee of USDOLS 30.00 or the
equivalent in Quetzals is levied on all departing travelers
bearing a passport other than Diplomatic.
9. Crime Information and Recommendations: The Department of
State rates Guatemala's crime threat as Critical. Violent
criminal activity has been a problem in all parts of
Guatemala for years, including a high number of murders,
rapes, and armed assaults. Well-armed gangs that sometimes
use massive force and emboldened armed robbers have attacked
vehicles on main roads in broad daylight. Travel on rural
roads increases the risk of a criminal roadblock or ambush.
Travelers must be alert for car-jacking, road robbery and
street robbery. Traveling in groups and with multiple
vehicles during daylight hours, carrying few valuables and
using well-traveled routes are advisable. If confronted by
criminals, resistance may provoke a more violent response.
Police response is slow and their capabilities are seriously
limited. Roadblocks and demonstrations frequently appear in
Guatemala with little or no notice. Most demonstrations in
Guatemala have been peaceful, but some have turned violent.
Avoid agitated crowds.
Petty crimes are common, particularly within cities and
tourist sites. Buses are often the scene of thefts,
intimidation and robberies. Taxis should be used with
caution; preference should be given to hotel-based cabs and
known dispatcher services. Mission policy is that any
overland travel, except within the Guatemala City metro area
or day travel to Antigua, must be coordinated with the RSO in
advance.
10. Security briefings. All official travelers are required
to receive a security briefing from the RSO or an RSO
approved electronic or paper document via their control
officer. Travelers are encouraged to review the Consular
Information Sheet, available on the State Intranet or
Internet, prior to travel.
HAMILTON