Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05PANAMA337
2005-02-15 20:04:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Panama
Cable title:  

PANAMA COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR USDOL/ILAB

Tags:  ELAB EAID OTRA PM 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PANAMA 000337 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ELAB EAID OTRA PM
SUBJECT: PANAMA COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR USDOL/ILAB
GARY RUSSELL AND RODOLFO PIZA

REF: STATE 26841

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PANAMA 000337

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ELAB EAID OTRA PM
SUBJECT: PANAMA COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR USDOL/ILAB
GARY RUSSELL AND RODOLFO PIZA

REF: STATE 26841


1. Embassy grants country clearance and welcomes USDOL/ILAB
Gary Russell, Acting Director, Office of Foreign Relations
(OFR),and contractor Rodolfo Piza, Project Director, USDOL
funded Cumple y Gana Project, who will visit Panama during
February 16-17, 2005 to participate in the project kickoff.


2. Embassy Point of Contact for this visit is Political
Officer Debra Steigerwalt, telephones: office (507) 207-
7183, residence (507) 321-0742, cell (507) 616-5271; email:
SteigerwaltDA@state.gov.


3. Per separate email correspondence from USDOL/ILAB,
Embassy understands that hotel and transportation assistance
is not required for Mr. Piza.


4. A reservation for February 16 has been made for Mr.
Russell at the Caesar Park Hotel, telephone (507) 270-0477,
and fax (507) 226-0116, at a rate of 110 USD per night, plus
10 percent tax. Confirmation number is 539797. Embassy
travel office has arranged for Peasantez Tours to provide
transportation to and from Tocumen International Airport on
February 16 and 17 for Mr. Russell. The fare is 24 USD each
way, payable in cash to the driver.


5. Use taxis for transportation between the Embassy and the
hotel unless other arrangements are made. Taxis in Panama
do not use meters and fares should be agreed upon in
advance. Taxis are generally reliable within Panama City
and cost less than 2 USD for most locations.


6. The American embassy in Panama has two principal
locations, the Chancery on Avenida Balboa at Calle 37 and
the Clayton Building on Demetrio Basilio Lakas Street
(former Building 520, Clayton. Note: when taking a taxi to
the Embassy, please be sure to specify the exact address
where you intend to go. If your business is in the
Chancery, you should ask to be taken to the Balboa Avenue
location. The Consular Section, FCS, MGT, PD, and CIS
(former INS) are located on Demetrio B. Lakas Street,
Clayton. Taxi drivers have sometimes taken our visitors to
the Clayton Building when in fact they want to go to the
Chancery. The Embassy telephone number is: (country code-
507) 207-7000, during duty hours. After duty hours the
telephone number is (507) 207-7200.


7. U.S. currency is accepted in Panama and major credit
cards are widely accepted. However, visitors are warned
that large denomination bills (50 USD and larger) are often
scrutinized carefully or refused due to counterfeiting
fears.


8. During the May to December rainy season, Panama City
experiences heavy rain most days, often with brief flooding
of streets or walkways. During the rest of the year rains
are less frequent. Temperatures are always warm. Travelers
are advised to pack accordingly.


9. All official USG travelers to Panama should enter on
passports with appropriate diplomatic or official visas.


10. Normally all travelers departing from Tocumen
International must pay a $20 user fee. However, officials
accredited to the Embassy are exempt.


11. Security assessment: there is no specific information
to indicate official or private American travelers to Panama
are targeted by criminals or terrorists. Criminal
statistics indicate a steady increase in drug use and
related criminal activity to include robbery, assault, auto
theft, larceny, and sexual assault. The emergence and
establishment of youth gangs in specific areas of Panama
City and Colon, is consistent with the proliferation of
illegal weapons and related activity. Armed violence in the
metropolitan areas is not uncommon and a curfew enacted for
juveniles remains in place. Police checkpoints have become
commonplace on weekends in Panama City and Colon. Based
upon reported incidents, the high crime areas around Panama
City are: Chorillo, Ancon, Curundu, Rio Abajo, Veracruz
Beach, Panama Viejo and the Madden Dam overlook. In
addition, U.S. citizens should exercise caution when
visiting the campus of the University of Panama. Despite
improved policing and more police officer visibility on the
streets during business hours, urban and organized crime
continue to be a major problem. The border region of Panama
and Colombia, the Darien, has become increasingly unstable
and violent due to narcotics trafficking and spillover from
the Colombian civil conflict. All travel for official
Americans to the area is restricted. Advice to American
travelers: exercise good personal security practices and
always be aware of your surrounding environment. Minimize
the amount of cash, credit cards, jewelry and other personal
valuables you carry with you and avoid going out alone,
particularly after dark. Choose restaurants and
establishments that have adequate security. Radio taxis are
safe and recommended. Contact the RSO to report any
security-related incident. For updated security
information, contact the U.S. Embassy's Consular Section.

WATT