COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR RMO LAWRENCE GERNON

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASUNCION 001035

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AMED
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR RMO LAWRENCE GERNON

REF: LA PAZ 002479


1. Per reftel, country clearance is granted for RMO Dr.
Lawrence Gernon, for travel to Asuncion during the period of
August 21-24, 2005 for the purpose of providing support to
Post. The contact officer for the visit is Maria Fernandez,
Office tel.: (595)(21) 213-715, Ext 2025. Home tel.:
(595)(21) 296-212. Cellular tel. Number: (595) 0971-204-

333.


2. Hotel reservations have been confirmed at the Sheraton
Hotel, Avda. Aviadores del Chaco #2066; telephone: (595)(21)
617-7000, Fax: (595)(21) 617-7001. This hotel is located
approximately eight miles from the Embassy. Cost of the
single/double room is USD 100.00 per night with breakfast
included.


3. Maria Fernandez will meet Dr. Gernon at airport.


4. All U.S. citizens traveling to Paraguay are now required
to have visas. Airport and border visas are not available
at this time. Please contact the Paraguayan Embassy or
closest Consulate for more information, especially if you
require a multiple entry visa.


5. If travel plans involve visiting neighboring
countries in the region, please arrive with appropriate
visas and obtain country clearances from the
appropriate U.S. Embassies. Brazil and Argentina
requires visas for official travelers on diplomatic,
official, and/or personal passports. Official visitors
contemplating travel to Iguazu Falls should advise the
Embassy before doing so as well as Embassy Brasilia
and/or Embassy Buenos Aires if they plan to cross into
Brazil and Argentina. Travelers are reminded that
Iguazu Falls is located on the border of Brazil and
Argentina, about ten miles east of Ciudad del Este,
Paraguay, and that travelers from Paraguay cross into
Brazil.


6. Post recommends that even though you will be only
transiting Brazil, you also obtain a Brazilian visa.
If the airline cancels or delays its flight to
Asuncion, then you may have to stay in Sao Paulo for
one day while waiting for the next available flight to
Asuncion. Brazilian authorities will not permit you to
leave the airport to go to a hotel without a valid
Brazilian visa. U.S. citizens may be fingerprinted and
photographed upon entry into Brazil. This applies to
holders of diplomatic and official passports, as well
as tourist passports.


7. Threat Assessment:


A. Political Violence-Terrorism: There are no
indigenous terrorist organizations in Paraguay. There
are no political groups or parties that are currently
active in this country that are specifically targeting
U.S. interests. However, given the presence of members
of and support for extremist terrorist groups in the
tri-border region (Alto Parana and Itapua Departments),
visitors here cannot discount the possibility of
terrorist activity, to include random acts of anti-
American violence.


B. Crime: Paraguay is a high-threat post for crime.
Petty street crime in the city of Asuncion and the
immediate suburbs continues to be a problem for
residents and visitors alike. Visitors to the city of
Asuncion should be aware of problems with pickpockets
or purse snatchers on the street or on public
transportation. Until recently, most crime affecting
visitors has been non-violent; aggravated robberies,
shootings, etc., while not completely unheard of in
Asuncion, were nonetheless uncommon. However,
incidents of armed robberies of businesses and
residences by criminal groups are occurring with
greater frequency, and as a result, it is recommended
that due caution be exercised when traveling about the
city.


8. The seasons in Paraguay are the opposite of those
in the United States. Asuncion's climate is extremely
hot from November through April and cool or mild in
July and August. The transitional seasons, May - June
and September - October are unpredictable: they can be
pleasant or hot. Health conditions generally are good.
The water in Asuncion is potable, and there are few
reports of intestinal or stomach problems. There is no
endemic hepatitis or malaria in Asuncion although
outbreaks of dengue fever are recurrent.


9. As of 08/16/05 the exchange rate is 5,970 guaranies
to one US dollar. Personal Finances: Official
travelers may cash personal checks at the embassy for
amounts up to US$ 750.00 per week; and use their ATM
cards at one of the many terminals located throughout
the city. Because of restrictions with the embassy
bank, Citibank, traveler's checks may only be cashed
with one of the local exchange houses.


10. Laptops, Personal Digital assistants (PDA) Pilots,
cellular telephones and other electronic devices:
Laptops and PDAs may not be brought into the Embassy
without the prior approval of the Regional Security
Office. Personally owned laptops,PDAs may not/not be
used in the Embassy. USG-owned laptops may only be used
in Controlled Access Areas (CAA) if the user certifies
that the computer has been continuously under the
personal control of a cleared American throughout
transit. If this requirement is not met, the laptop
can only be utilized outside of the CAA. USG-owned
PDAs are under the same restrictions as cellular phones
and other electronic devices, and may not be utilized
within the CAA.


11. Security Clearance: State Department policy
requires that all official visitors verify their
security clearances, in writing, with the RSO in order
to have unescorted access to the Embassy. Visitors
whose clearances are not verified must be escorted at
all times. TDY'ers must schedule a security in
briefing with the security office as soon as possible
after arriving at post. Access badges will not be
issued until the employee has acknowledged receipt of
the required security briefing.
KEANE