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