Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04SANTODOMINGO4672
2004-08-13 16:57:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Santo Domingo
Cable title:
COUNTRY CLEARANCE APPROVAL - CODEL DODD (15-17 AUG)
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 SANTO DOMINGO 004672
SIPDIS
CODEL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AMGT ASEC OTRA DR
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE APPROVAL - CODEL DODD (15-17 AUG)
REF: SECSTATE 173809
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 SANTO DOMINGO 004672
SIPDIS
CODEL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AMGT ASEC OTRA DR
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE APPROVAL - CODEL DODD (15-17 AUG)
REF: SECSTATE 173809
1. U.S. Embassy Santo Domingo welcomes and grants country
clearance to Senator Christopher J. Dodd to travel to Santo
Domingo. The purpose of this trip is to attend the
presidential inauguration of President-elect Fernandez from
15-17 August, 2004.
2. Embassy assistance is requested.
--------------
3. Hotel Accommodations:
--------------
Hotel reservations are confirmed at the Hotel Embajador
located on Sarasota Avenue #65. Hotel Embajador contact
numbers are as follows:
Tel: (809)221-2131 Fax: (809)532-5306. Per diem in Santo
Domingo USD 107 (including taxes). Hotel Room No. is 637 and
breakfast is included.
--------------
4. Contact with US Embassy Requested:
--------------
POC is Stefanie Eye at (809)731-4293, (809)697-1867 (cell),
(809)541-4944 (home),(809)731-4335, or eyesb@state.gov. In
case of an emergency during visit, including medical, please
contact the US Embassy Post One at (809) 221-2171, extension
4398.
--------------
5. Travel Documents:
--------------
All official visitors are encouraged to enter the Dominican
Republic on valid passports, with valid visas. If a visa
cannot be obtained before entry into the Dominican Republic,
a 30-day visa can be purchased for USD 10.00 in the airport
terminal upon arrival. A USD 20.00 airport departure tax is
charged to all non-residents leaving the country. Many US
carriers include this tax in the ticket price, so please
consult your ticket.
--------------
6. Monetary Exchange:
--------------
Visitors are encouraged to bring sufficient US Dollars cash,
traveler,s checks or credit cards for cash advances. Many
merchants in the DR do not accept US currency in payment for
goods and services. Most commercial banks and hotels provide
exchange services, with hotels offering slightly less
favorable terms than banks. Banco de Reservas, a Dominican
commercial bank, offers check cashing and accommodation
exchange services in the Embassy from 0900-1535 during
official workdays. USG employees are permitted to cash
personal checks and can elect to either receive US Dollars or
Dominican Pesos. US credit cards, especially Visa and
Mastercard, are widely accepted in major cities and tourist
areas.
--------------
7. Medical Attention:
--------------
In the event medical services from Embassy Health
professionals are required, visitors will be expected to
provide a copy of their orders upon receipt of care. In
cases of emergency, please contact Post One at (809)
221-2171, extension 4398 or (809) 731-4398.
--------------
8. Country Threat Assessment:
--------------
A) Terrorism: The Dominican Republic (DR) is considered a
low threat post for terrorism. There are no indigenous
terrorist groups operating in the DR. However, transnational
terrorism is a possibility due to a number of factors, some
of which include porous borders, a culture of corruption,
inept police, and the Dominican Republic,s support for the
war in Iraq. These factors, and others, make the DR a
potential target for transnational terrorism.
B) Crime: The Dominican Republic is considered a high
threat post for crime. Street robberies, pick pocketing,
credit card fraud, ATM fraud, burglaries, and theft from
vehicles are all common crimes in the Dominican Republic. If
you are the victim of a street robbery, do not resist.
Statistically, everyone who resists robbery is injured.
Those who cooperate with robbers, i.e., give them some money,
are always left unharmed. To avoid credit card fraud, avoid
excessive use of credit cards while in country. Contact your
card provider and advise them what charges you will be making
while visiting the DR. Keep a close watch over your credit
card charges even weeks after leaving the Dominican Republic.
Fraudulent charges may not appear until well after you have
returned to your place of origin. To avoid ATM fraud, use
only ATMs that are located in major hotels, or collocated
with banks. Avoid using carros publicos, the least expensive
type of taxi. Many travelers have reported being pick
pocketed in these vehicles. Use established taxi services,
or hotel taxis, which are considered safe.
KUBISKE
SIPDIS
CODEL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AMGT ASEC OTRA DR
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE APPROVAL - CODEL DODD (15-17 AUG)
REF: SECSTATE 173809
1. U.S. Embassy Santo Domingo welcomes and grants country
clearance to Senator Christopher J. Dodd to travel to Santo
Domingo. The purpose of this trip is to attend the
presidential inauguration of President-elect Fernandez from
15-17 August, 2004.
2. Embassy assistance is requested.
--------------
3. Hotel Accommodations:
--------------
Hotel reservations are confirmed at the Hotel Embajador
located on Sarasota Avenue #65. Hotel Embajador contact
numbers are as follows:
Tel: (809)221-2131 Fax: (809)532-5306. Per diem in Santo
Domingo USD 107 (including taxes). Hotel Room No. is 637 and
breakfast is included.
--------------
4. Contact with US Embassy Requested:
--------------
POC is Stefanie Eye at (809)731-4293, (809)697-1867 (cell),
(809)541-4944 (home),(809)731-4335, or eyesb@state.gov. In
case of an emergency during visit, including medical, please
contact the US Embassy Post One at (809) 221-2171, extension
4398.
--------------
5. Travel Documents:
--------------
All official visitors are encouraged to enter the Dominican
Republic on valid passports, with valid visas. If a visa
cannot be obtained before entry into the Dominican Republic,
a 30-day visa can be purchased for USD 10.00 in the airport
terminal upon arrival. A USD 20.00 airport departure tax is
charged to all non-residents leaving the country. Many US
carriers include this tax in the ticket price, so please
consult your ticket.
--------------
6. Monetary Exchange:
--------------
Visitors are encouraged to bring sufficient US Dollars cash,
traveler,s checks or credit cards for cash advances. Many
merchants in the DR do not accept US currency in payment for
goods and services. Most commercial banks and hotels provide
exchange services, with hotels offering slightly less
favorable terms than banks. Banco de Reservas, a Dominican
commercial bank, offers check cashing and accommodation
exchange services in the Embassy from 0900-1535 during
official workdays. USG employees are permitted to cash
personal checks and can elect to either receive US Dollars or
Dominican Pesos. US credit cards, especially Visa and
Mastercard, are widely accepted in major cities and tourist
areas.
--------------
7. Medical Attention:
--------------
In the event medical services from Embassy Health
professionals are required, visitors will be expected to
provide a copy of their orders upon receipt of care. In
cases of emergency, please contact Post One at (809)
221-2171, extension 4398 or (809) 731-4398.
--------------
8. Country Threat Assessment:
--------------
A) Terrorism: The Dominican Republic (DR) is considered a
low threat post for terrorism. There are no indigenous
terrorist groups operating in the DR. However, transnational
terrorism is a possibility due to a number of factors, some
of which include porous borders, a culture of corruption,
inept police, and the Dominican Republic,s support for the
war in Iraq. These factors, and others, make the DR a
potential target for transnational terrorism.
B) Crime: The Dominican Republic is considered a high
threat post for crime. Street robberies, pick pocketing,
credit card fraud, ATM fraud, burglaries, and theft from
vehicles are all common crimes in the Dominican Republic. If
you are the victim of a street robbery, do not resist.
Statistically, everyone who resists robbery is injured.
Those who cooperate with robbers, i.e., give them some money,
are always left unharmed. To avoid credit card fraud, avoid
excessive use of credit cards while in country. Contact your
card provider and advise them what charges you will be making
while visiting the DR. Keep a close watch over your credit
card charges even weeks after leaving the Dominican Republic.
Fraudulent charges may not appear until well after you have
returned to your place of origin. To avoid ATM fraud, use
only ATMs that are located in major hotels, or collocated
with banks. Avoid using carros publicos, the least expensive
type of taxi. Many travelers have reported being pick
pocketed in these vehicles. Use established taxi services,
or hotel taxis, which are considered safe.
KUBISKE