ASUNCION - COUNTRY CLEARANCE REQUEST FOR IMAP

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASUNCION 000954

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ABLD ACOA AMGT ASEC KLBO KRIM
SUBJECT: ASUNCION - COUNTRY CLEARANCE REQUEST FOR IMAP
PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE VISIT

REF: STATE 137111


1. Per reftel, country clearance is granted for ROLAND C.
JENKINS (GSAI),WALTER L. WHITEHURST (GSAI),PATRICK
PLUNKETT (GSAI),HOWARD M. JEFFRIES (GSAI) for travel to
Asuncion during the period of 8 AUGUST to 20 AUGUST for
the purpose of IMAP PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE VISIT. The
contact officer for the visit is MR. LAWRENCE LEMICK
(A/GSO),office tel.: 595-21-213-715, ext. 2077. Home
tel.: 595-21-524-270. Cel. phone# 595-971-176-648


2. Hotel reservations have been confirmed at the SHERATON
hotel, telephone: 617-7000. This hotel is located at 2066
Aviadores del Chaco Avenue n/ Santa Teresa Avet.,
approximately 11 (eleven) 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 Guaranes, 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 July 28, 2005 the exchange rate is 5950
Guaranes 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 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