SPAIN COUNTRY CLEARANCE REQUEST FOR

UNCLAS MADRID 000191

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OTRA PREL SP NATO
SUBJECT: SPAIN COUNTRY CLEARANCE REQUEST FOR
AFGHANISTAN/NATO INTERAGENCY TEAM

REF: SECSTATE 9853


1. Embassy warmly welcomes and grants country clearance to
Ambassador Marueen E. Quinn, Kurt E. Amend, USN Commander
Debra Maddrell and Worth S. Anderson to travel to Madrid,
January 25-26, to consult with the EU and key NATO allies
regarding the role of the international community in
Afghanistan.


2. Control Officer at Embassy Madrid is Political Officer
Ricardo Zuniga who can be reached at work (34-91-587-2386) on
his mobile at (34-650-625-413) or via e-mail
zunigarf@state.gov.


3. As requested hotel reservations in Madrid have been made
at the Intercontinental Castellana Hotel located at Paseo de
la Castellana, 49, Madrid, 28046. The hotel can be contacted
at (34-91-700-7300) or by fax at (34-91-319-5853).


4. Other specific requests to be confirmed via e-mail.


5. 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.


6. 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