Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05ASUNCION1122
2005-09-04 03:50:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Asuncion
Cable title:  

COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR NEIL SHOUBA - PC/SSO

Tags:  NOTAG PA 
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASUNCION 001122 

SIPDIS

LIMA FOR MICHAEL HIRSH - PC COUNTRY DIRECTOR PERU
WASHDC FOR SSCHWARTZ, KCARMICHAEL AND SFIROOZI -
IAP/CDU/SOU

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS:
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR NEIL SHOUBA - PC/SSO

REF: LIMA 03762

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASUNCION 001122

SIPDIS

LIMA FOR MICHAEL HIRSH - PC COUNTRY DIRECTOR PERU
WASHDC FOR SSCHWARTZ, KCARMICHAEL AND SFIROOZI -
IAP/CDU/SOU

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS:
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR NEIL SHOUBA - PC/SSO

REF: LIMA 03762


1. Per reftel, country clearance is granted for
Neil Shouba for travel to Asuncion during the
period of September 5 to September 10, 2005 for
the purpose of revising the Peace Corps Safety
and Security Manual and to perform some Volunteer
visits in the field. The contact officer for the
visit is the James Geenen, Peace Corps Country
Director, office phone: (595-21) 600-155, home
phone: (595-21) 611-516. Cellular phone: (595-
971) 900-677.


2. Hotel reservations have been confirmed at the
Villa Morra Suites Hotel, Avda. Mcal. Lopez 3001 and
Saravi streets. Telephone: (595-21) 612-715. This
hotel is located approximately one mile from Peace
Corps Office. Cost of the single room is USD 88.00
per night with tax and breakfast included.

3. Peace Corps will provide airport assistance.


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 closes 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 09/02/05 the exchange rate is 6,070.00
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
Officer. 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 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