COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR PARTICIPANTS IN

UNCLAS MADRID 001617 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR CA FSINFACTC FOR STEVE MALONEY E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AMGT AFSI AFIN OTRA CMGT CVIS SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR PARTICIPANTS IN NEA/SA/AF SENIOR CONSULAR LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE (PC-108) MAY 10-13, 2004. 1.Embassy Madrid welcomes Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs Amb. Maura Harty, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Overseas Citizen Services Dianne Andruch, SIPDIS CA Executive Director Matt Klimov and Andrew Simkin to Madrid, Spain for the dates of May 10 - 14, 2004. It is post's understanding that all participants hold top- secret security clearances. SIPDIS ¶2. Alcy Frelick will be their control officer, she can be reached by email at arfrelick@state.gov, office telephone (34) 91 587-2236, or cell phone 696-413-351. Control officer for the conference is Chris Randall, who can be reached by email at randallcj@state.gov, office telephone (34) 91-587-2250, or cell phone 669- 004-310. Alcy Frelick will meet and greet Amb. Harty and party, Chris Randall will meet Matt Klimov. Embassy will provide transportation to and from the airport. Hotel Reservations have been made at the Gran Hotel Melia Fenix, Calle Hermosilla, 2, Madrid 28001, phone (34)91-431-6700. ¶3. Visitors are reminded that bearers of diplomatic and official passports coming to Spain on official business need to obtain a Spanish visa prior to their arrival. ¶4. In general, Spain is safe. However, Madrid and other large cities in Spain attract a number of criminals and pickpockets and frequent incidents of crimes of opportunity against the unwary occur. Carry only essential items, including a photocopy of your passport. Visitors can protect themselves from crime by being street-smart, alert, and aware of their surroundings. In the event you are victimized by crime, or experience any other security-related incident, please contact the Embassy's Regional Security Office at (91) 587-2550. Additional information regarding safety and security in Spain is available on the U.S. Department of State's website (http://www.state.gov). ¶5. Travelers are encouraged to review the most recent Worldwide Caution issued by the Department of State. As the Department of State continues to develop information on any potential security threats to Americans overseas, it shares credible threat information through its Consular Information Program documents, available on the Internet at http://travel/state.gov. In addition to information on the Internet, U.S. travelers can hear recorded information by calling the Department of State in Washington, D.C. at 202-647-5225 from their touch-tone telephone, or receive information by automated telefax by dialing 202-647-3000 from their fax machine. ARGYROS