Country Clearance granted for USGS: Bricker

UNCLAS MADRID 002449 SIPDIS DOI/INT/USGS/RESTON/JSAFFER E.O.12958: N/A TAGS: OTRA TPHY KSCA ECON SP SUBJECT: Country Clearance granted for USGS: Bricker and Newell. REF: SECSTATE 137674 1.Post welcomes and grants clearance to Mr. Owen P. Bricker, Research Hydrologist and Mr. Wayne L. Newell, Research Geologist to travel to Segovia, Spain July 2- 18, 2004 to present a paper and participate in the Geo- Environment 2004 workshop. ¶2. Embassy assistance is not required. Should travel schedule change USGS will notify Embassy via fax. In country contact is Gaye McKeough, Wesses Institute of Technology, Tel: 44 238-029-3223. ¶3. Travelers have applied for Schengen visas. Lodging accommodations will be obtained at the Hostal Don Jaime, C/Ochoa N8, Ondategui, Segovia. Tel: 34 921- ¶444787. 4.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. 5.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). 6.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