EMBASSY PANAMA WELCOMES CODEL TAYLOR

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PANAMA 000371

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OREP AMGT ASEC AFIN HO CS PM
SUBJECT: EMBASSY PANAMA WELCOMES CODEL TAYLOR

REF: STATE 27343


1. Embassy warmly welcomes Rep. Gene Taylor (D-MS),member
of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC),who will visit
Panama during February 20-22, 2005. Embassy also welcomes
HASC Cousel Henry J. Schweiter, and DOD escorts Col. Chris
Perkins and Ltc. Mike Legg, U.S. Special Operations Command,
U.S. Army.


2. Embassy Control Officer for the visit is Political
Counselor Richard Sacks, telephones: office (507) 207-7140,
residence (507) 271-5623, cell (507) 673-9753; fax (507) 207-
7418; email: SacksRS@state.gov.


3. The following hotel reservations have been made for
Codel Taylor:

Sunday, February 20
The Bristol Hotel
Address: Calle Aquilino De La Guardia, Panama
Telephone: 265-7844
Fax: 265-8620
Daily Rate: 100 USDOL, plus 10 percent tax (breakfast
included)
Confirmation numbers: Gene Taylor (53262),Chris Perkins
(53264),Mike Legg (53265),Jim Schweiter (53268)
Latest cancellation without penalty: 48 hours

The eighth floor lounge of the Bristol Hotel has also been
reserved for the evening of Sunday, February 20, at the rate
of 150 USDOL, plus 10 percent tax. Embassy must provide the
hotel with 48 hours of advance notice in case of
cancellation in order to avoid a penalty.

Monday, February 21
Punta Patino Lodge
Punta Patino, Darien
Telephone (507) 299-6659
Daily rate: 60 USDOL (includes tax, breakfast and dinner)
Latest cancellation without penalty: Thursday, February 17
Cash payment expected.


4. 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.


5. 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.


6. 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.


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


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


9. 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