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