COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR STAFFDEL KNOWLES

UNCLAS MADRID 000066

SIPDIS

STATE FOR H/BUREAU OF LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS/EMILY HUNT

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OREP AMGT ASEC AFIN IT SP
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR STAFFDEL KNOWLES

REF: STATE 03227


1. Embassy welcomes and grants country clearance to Sean
Knowles, Staff Member, and delegation to travel to Spain from
January 12-13, 2005 to review programs and activities under
the jurisdiction of the Military Construction Subcommittee.


2. Embassy administrative Point of Contact for this visit is
POLECON Officer Michael Sestak, tel: (34) 91-587-2388
(office),(34) 618-529-364 (cell). Overnight accommodation
has been arranged for Staffdel and other group members in the
BOQ at Rota Naval Base.


3. 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.


4. THREAT ASSESSMENT:

In general, Spain is safe. However, Madrid and other large
cities in Spain -- including resort/convention areas such as
Benidorm -- attract a large number of criminals and
pick-pockets and frequent incidents of crimes of opportunity
against the unwary do occur. Carry only essential items,
including a photocopy of your passport's photo page.
Visitors can protect themselves from crime by being
street-smart, alert, and aware of their surroundings. In the
event you are victimized by crime, or experience any other
security-related incident, please contact the Embassy's
Regional Security Office at 91-587-2550, or after hours at
91-587-2355. Official visitors to the Embassy in Madrid or
the Consulate General in Barcelona are encouraged to receive
a security briefing from the RSO office at their earliest
convenience. Additional information regarding safety and
security in Spain is available on the U.S. Department of
State's website (http://www.state.gov),and the U.S.
Embassy's website (www.embusa.es).

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, or receive
information by automated telefax by dialing 202-647-3000 from
their fax machine.
MANZANARES