COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR INTER-AMERICAN FOUNDATION

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASUNCION 000530

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON OTRA PA
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR INTER-AMERICAN FOUNDATION
(IAF) REPRESENTATIVE

REF: STATE 69340


1. As requested in reftel, country clearance is granted for
IAF Representative Maria Gabriela Boyer, for travel to
Asuncion during the period of May 5 to May 8, 2005, for the
purpose of visiting potential IAF grantees. The contact
officer for the visit is Patrick R. O'Reilly, office tel.:
(595/21) 213-715, ext. 2015. Home tel.: (595/21) 612-758.


2. Per paragraph 3 of reftel, no Embassy assistance is
required.


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
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 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 April 19, 2005 the exchange rate is 6,235 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.


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