SPAIN COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR CODEL SHELBY

UNCLAS MADRID 001050 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OREP AMGT ASEC AFIN SP SUBJECT: SPAIN COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR CODEL SHELBY REF: A. STATE 42191 ¶B. STATE 44934 ¶1. Embassy warmly welcomes and grants country clearance to CODEL Shelby consisting of Senator Richard Shelby, Dr. Annette Shelby, Staff Director Kathleen Casey, Communications Director of SBANK Andrew Gray and LTC Doug Carney to travel to Madrid, Barcelona, Granada and Seville March 28-April 1, to meet with high-level officials focusing on economic issues, financial services, trade and financing of terrorism. ¶2. Control Officer at Embassy Madrid for Madrid and Seville portions of visit is Political Officer Robert J. Riley who can be reached at work (34-91-587-2392) on his mobile at (34-609-057-454) or via e-mail: rileyrj@state.gov. Control officer at Consulate General Barcelona for Barcelona, Andorra and Granada portions of visit is Consul General Juan Alsace, who can be reached at work (34-93-280-2227 ext. 203) on his mobile at (34-649-295-948) or via e-mail: alsaceja@state.gov. ¶3. Specific requests to be confirmed via e-mail. ¶4. Visitors are reminded that bearers of diplomatic and official passports coming to Spain on official business need to obtain a Spanish visa prior to arrival in Spain. ¶5. THREAT ASSESSMENT: In general, Spain is safe. However, Madrid and other large cities in Spain attract a number of criminals and pick-pockets and frequent incidents of crimes of opportunity against the unwary occur. Carry only essential items, including a photocopy of your passport. Visitors can protect themselves from crime by being street-smart, alert, and aware of their surroundings. In the even you are victimized by crime, or experience any other security-related incident, please contact the Embassy's Regional Security Office at 91-587-2550). Additional information regarding safety and security in Spain is available on the U.S. Department of State's website (http://www.state.gov). Travelers are encouraged to review the most recent Worldwide Caution issued by the Department of State. As the Department of State continues to develop information on any potential security threats to Americans overseas, it shares credible threat information through its Consular Information Program documents, available on the Internet at http://travel/state.gov. In addition to information on the Internet, U.S. travelers can hear recorded information by calling the Department of State in Washington, D.C. at 202-647-5225 from their touch-tone telephone, ore receive information by automated telefax by dialing 202-647-3000 from their fax machine. MANZANARES