COUNTRY CLEARANCE APPROVAL FOR G/TIP SENIOR

UNCLAS ABU DHABI 003490 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPARTMENT FOR G/TIP MARK TAYLOR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OTRA PHUM AE SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE APPROVAL FOR G/TIP SENIOR COORDINATOR MARK TAYLOR, SEPT 3-6 REF: STATE 143239 ¶1. (SBU) Embassy Abu Dhabi grants country clearance and welcomes the visit of G/TIP Senior Coordinator Mark Taylor on September 3-6. ¶2. (SBU) In addition to the September 4 steering committee meeting for the ECSSR-hosted international TIP conference, we have requested a meeting on September 5 with Sultan bin Saeed Al-Badi, Under Secretary, Ministry of Justice, and National Anti-Trafficking Coordinator. ¶3. (SBU) The conference organizers have made hotel reservations for the nights of September 3 and 4 at the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, phone number: (971-2) 690-9000. Conference organizers have also arranged transportation from the airport to the hotel upon arrival September 3. Hotel reservations for September 5 have been made at the Emirates Towers in Dubai, phone number: (971-4) 330-0000. Dubai hotel rate per night is AED 690 20% tax, and is within per diem. ¶4. (U) Abu Dhabi support will be coordinated between Political Chief Al Magleby and Political Officer Benjamin Thomson. Contact numbers are as follows: Embassy telephone: (971-2) 414-2200 Embassy after-hours: (971-2) 414-2500 Embassy duty officer: (971-50) 611-5936 Al Magleby ) work: (971-2) 414-2490 Al Magleby ) cell: (971-50) 443-2594 Ben Thomson - work: (971-2) 414-2621 Ben Thomson - cell: (971-50) 443-2159 POL ) fax: (971-2) 414-2639 Unclass email: ThomsonBA@state.gov and MaglebyAR@state.gov SIPDIS The Dubai Control Officer is Pol/Econ Officer Tim Brys. Contact numbers are as follows: Consulate General telephone (971-4) 311-6000 Consulate General duty officer:(971-50) 645-8773 Tim Brys ) work: (971-4) 311-6217 Tim Brys ) cell: (971-50) 458-7278 Pol/Econ ) fax: (971-4) 311-6166 Unclass email: BrysTM@state.gov SIPDIS ¶5. (U) U.S. citizens traveling to the UAE, regardless of whether they hold tourist, official, or diplomatic passports, are granted visas at the port of entry, free of charge, that are valid for a total of 59 days (visas are issued for 30 days with an automatic grace period of an additional 29 days). Travelers who intend to stay longer than 59 days must obtain a visa at the UAE Embassy wherever they reside prior to entry into the UAE. ¶6. (U) Currency exchange is available at the airport and at hotels. The present exchange rate equals 3.67 Dirhams to (1) USD. All major credit cards are accepted in the hotels, and in most restaurants and shops. The exchange rate on credit card purchase is good. Automatic teller machines (ATM's) are also available in certain locations and some are linked into the plus system. ¶7. (U) The workweek at the Embassy is Sunday through Thursday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. ¶8. (U) Because of increased tensions in the Gulf region, the Embassy advises all visitors to remain vigilant with regard to their personal security and to exercise caution. Avoid large crowds and gatherings, maintain a low profile, and vary routes and times of all required travel. ¶9. (U) The UAE,s crime rate is generally low. However, criminal activity is on the rise and post recommends travelers take common sense precautions while in the U.A.E. Sensitivity toward local customs is strongly encouraged: short and sleeveless or revealing garments should not be worn. Suggestive and pornographic materials (magazines, photos or videos) are prohibited. Photography is not allowed in certain areas, and one should not photograph the local women. Alcoholic beverages are available only in hotels, and the major hotels here have a wide variety of restaurants. Public intoxication and driving while intoxicated are serious offenses. SISON