COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR DOJ/ICITAP INSTRUCTORS KYLE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASUNCION 000507

SIPDIS

DEPT OF JUSTICE FOR FAYE EHRENSTAMN, DEPUTY DIRECTOR/OPDAT

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KJUS KCRM ABUD AFIN PA POL
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR DOJ/ICITAP INSTRUCTORS KYLE
GRIMES III AND OSWALDO POSADA LOPEZ
(C O R R E C T E D C O P Y - TEXT FORMAT CORRECTED)

REF: 1391321


1. As requested in reftel, country clearance is
granted for DOJ/ICITAP instructors Kyle H. Grimes III
and Oswaldo Posada Lopez, to travel to Asuncion,
Paraguay from Apr 17-30, 2005 for the purpose of
presenting a training program on how to teach for
Paraguayan prosecutors and judges. The contact
officer for the visit is the Regional Resident Legal
Advisor Scott Thorley, office tel.: 595/21 213-715,
ext. 384. Home tel.: 595/21 612-711, Cellular tel.
Number: (0971) 320-550.


2. Hotel reservation have been confirmed at the Villa
Morra Suites, (address Avda. Mcal Lopez 3001, Phone
595-21-612-715). This hotel is located approximately 2
miles from the Embassy. Cost of the single room is USD
87 per night with tax, breakfast included, any other
meal not included.


3. Due to the high volume of TDY personnel the Embassy
receives, we are able to meet and assist only
personnel who are traveling with large amounts of
technical equipment. Taxis are available from the
airport. A taxi ride from the airport to your hotel
may cost you anywhere from 45,000 to 70,000 guaranies,
approximately 8 to 12 USD.



4. All U.S. citizens traveling to Paraguay are now
required to have visas. And they must have free
yellow fever certificate. 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 une
and September ctober 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 May 19, 2004 the exchange rate is 5,700 guaranies
to one US dollar.


9. As of April 11, 2005 the exchange rate is 6,280
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/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.


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#