COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR STAFFDEL BASSETT

UNCLAS MADRID 000990 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OREP AMGT ASEC AFIN UK GM SP SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR STAFFDEL BASSETT REF: STATE 62032 ¶1. Embassy welcomes and grants country clearance to Brant Bassett, Professional Staff Member House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI),to travel to Spain for the period March 24-26 on matters of concern to the Committee. ¶2. Embassy Control Officer for this visit is ORA Management Officer Rose Cookman, Telephone: (34) 91-587-2373 (office), (34) 91-562-1536 (home),and (34) 680-371-943 (cell). Hotel reservations have been made for the nights of March 24 and 25 at the Hotel Melia Galgos, Claudio Coello, 139, 28006 Madrid, Telephone: (34) 91-562-6600, Fax: (34) 91-562-7519. Room rate per night (double for single use): EU165.85/$206.00 (VAT included). Breakfast buffet per person: EU18.19/$22.60 (VAT included). The current Madrid per diem is Lodging $227/M&IE $116. Embassy regrets all Motor Pool resources will be dedicated to the SecState visit on March 24 and recommends Mr. Bassett take a taxi from the airport in to central Madrid on arrival. The approximate cost will be EU20. On arrival at the hotel, Mr. Bassett should call Embassy Control Officer on 91-587-2373 to arrange for delivery of per diem and Embassy welcome kit to the hotel. ¶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 arrival in Spain. ¶4. THREAT ASSESSMENT: In general, Spain is safe. However, Madrid and other large cities in Spain -- including resort/convention areas such as Benidorm -- attract a large number of criminals and pick-pockets and frequent incidents of crimes of opportunity against the unwary do occur. Carry only essential items, including a photocopy of your passport's photo page. 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, 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. ARGYROS