SPAIN: APPROVAL FOR TRAINING SHIP EMPIRE STATE

UNCLAS MADRID 001851 SIPDIS DOT FOR MARITIME ADMIN. RITA JACKSON E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EWWT MARR SP SUBJECT: SPAIN: APPROVAL FOR TRAINING SHIP EMPIRE STATE REF: STATE 44487 ¶1. Embassy delivered March 2 a nota verbal to Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) regarding the State University of New York (Suny) Maritime College crew of approximately 600 cadets and 75 crew officers aboard the Federal Training Ship Empire State that will stop in Barcelona from May 28 through June 1 and bunker off Ceuta on 16 June with the purpose of training future merchant marine officers. ¶2. Embassy received a response May 14 from the MFA. An informal translation follows: "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Spain presents its complements to the Embassy of the United States of America in Madrid and in relation to the Nota Verbal number 87 of 2 March 2004 communicates that there is no problem in authorizing the federal training ship Empire State to call in the port of Barcelona from 28 May through 1 June and in the port of Ceuta for nine hours for bunkering on 16 June 2004. Similarly, the logistical needs, port services, and exit onto land of citizens are authorized." End translation. ¶3. Embassy understands that Barcelona will be a liberty port, and that off Ceuta will be used for bunkering, with no personnel disembarking nor shore side personnel joining the vessel. ¶4. THREAT ASSESSMENT: In general, Spain is safe. However, Madrid, Barcelona and other large cities in Spain -- including resort/convention areas such as Benidorm -- attract a large number of criminals and pickpockets and frequent incidents of crime of opportunity against the unwary do occur. Carry only essential items including a photocopy of your passport's photo page. Visitors can protect themselves against crime by being street-smart, alert and aware of their surroundings. In the event you are victimized by crime, or experience any security-related incident, please contact the Embassy's Regional Security Office at 91-587-2550 or after hours at 91-587-2355. Official visitors to the Embassy in Madrid or the Consulate General in Barcelona are encouraged to receive a security briefing from the RSO office at their earliest convenience. Additional information regarding safety and security in Spain is available on the U.S. Department of State's website (http://www.state.gov) and the U.S. Embassy's website (www.embusa.es). 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. ¶5. Minimized Considered ARGYROS