COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR COL. M. TIA JOHNSON

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASUNCION 000472

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OTRA OVIP PA
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR COL. M. TIA JOHNSON

REF: SECSTATE 61199


1. As requested in reftel, country clearance is granted for
Col. Musetta Tia Johnson with Top Secret / SCI Security
Clearance, for travel to Asuncion during the period of April
14, 2005 to April 15, 2005 for the purpose of Legal
Consultations. The control officer for the visit is Mark
Stamilio, office tel.: 011-595-21-213-715, ext. 2046, Home:
011-595-21-663-505, Cell: 011-595-971-202-448.


2. Hotel reservations have been confirmed at the Sheraton
Hotel Asuncion, (address: Avenida Aviadores del Chaco 2066;
telephone: 011-595-21-617-7000). This hotel is located
approximately 3 miles from the Embassy. Cost of the
single/double room is USD 110.00 per night with tax and
breakfast included.


3. As requested in reftel, embassy personnel will meet Col.
Johnson at the airport, provide assistance and transportation
to hotel.


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.
As of April 5, 2005 the exchange rate is 6,280 guaranies to
one US dollar.


9. Laptops/Palm Pilots, cellular telephones and other
electronic devices: Laptops/Palm Pilots may not be brought
into the Embassy without the prior approval of the Regional
Security Office. Personally owned laptops/palm pilots 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 palm pilots 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 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