Country Clearance Cable

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASUNCION 000812

SIPDIS

STATE FOR L/LEI- H.COLLUMS AND G. HARRIS
DOJ FOR DOJ/OIA- J. LEHTMAN
BUENOS AIRES FOR LEGATT, A. RODRIGUEZ
DEA FOR SPECIALOPSDIV VA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CJAN CVIS KCRM SNAR PA
SUBJECT: Country Clearance Cable

Ref: Whiteman/Dodd 6-24 e-mail


1. As requested in refcon, country clearance is granted
for Brian Dodd, Robert F. Zachariasiewicz, Steven Orr
and Edward Dailey for travel to Asuncion from June 25
through June 27 to extradite Carlos Ivan Mendes
Mesquita. The contact officer for the visit is Chad
Whiteman, office tel.: 595-(0)21-213-715, ext. 2055.
Cellular phone: 595-(0)971-377-270.


2. Hotel reservations have been confirmed at the
Sheraton Hotel, (address: Aviadores del Chaco 2066;
telephone: 595-21-617-7000). This hotel is located
approximately 4 miles from the Embassy. Cost of the
single/double room is USD 110 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. We are arranging a visa waiver for travelers in
this instance, due to the short notice of the trip.


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 June 24, 2005, the exchange rate is
6080 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, 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.


11. Security Clearance: State Department policy
requires that all official visitors verify their
security clearances, in writing, with the RSO in border
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.