COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR U.S. SPEAKER MARGUERITE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASUNCION 001065

SIPDIS

WHA/BSC-ESMURRAY, IO/UNESCO-JCOWLEY

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP OTRA PA AORC UNESCO
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR U.S. SPEAKER MARGUERITE
SULLIVAN

REF: STATE 149041


1. As requested in reference telegram, country clearance is
granted for Marguerite Sullivan, U.S. Speaker, to travel to
Asuncion during the period of 8/28/05 to 9/6/05 to share her
experience and abilities on "How to Run a Responsible Press
Office" . The contact officer for the visit is Bruce P.
Kleiner,PAO, office tel.: (595-21) 213-715, ext. 2120 Home
tel.: (595-21) 660-975; and cell tel.: 0971-338-822.


2. Hotel reservations have been confirmed at the Hotel Las
Margaritas, located at Estrella esq. 15 de Agosto, Asuncion;
telephone: (595-21) 448-765; fax (595-21) 448-785. This
hotel is located approximately four miles from the Embassy.
Cost of the single room is USD 66 per night with tax and
breakfast included.


3. Due to budget constraints, post will only provide
airport expediter for initial arrival and final departure of
employees assigned to post, as well as for senior officials.
Other travelers requiring special assistance should request
an expediter in advance and provide fiscal data. Taxis are
available from the airport. A taxi ride from the airport to
your hotel may cost you anywhere from 45,000 to 60,000
guaranies, approximately 8 to 10 USD.


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 not 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 residence 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 8/22/05 the exchange rate is 5,960 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, ABN-AMRO, traveler's
checks may only be cashed with one of the local exchange
houses.


9. 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.


10. Security Clearance: State Department policy requires
that all official visitors verify their security clearance,
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