COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR DOJ SPECIAL COUNSEL RUSCH

UNCLAS ABUJA 002136 SIPDIS SIPDIS DOJ/OPDAT FOR JOHN MCKINLEY E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EFIN KCRM KJUS SNAR NI SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR DOJ SPECIAL COUNSEL RUSCH REF: DEPTOFJUST 08081726 1.SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: Because of the security situation in Abuja, Nigeria, Motor Pool vehicles are not authorized to leave the city between the hours of 2300 and 0600. Flights arriving/departing during these hours will not be supported by motor pool. Travelers using the British Air flight for arrival will need to wait at the airport until 0630 for Motor Pool pick up. Travelers wishing to leave the airport on their own during these hours need to request a waiver via cable to the Chief of Mission. ¶2. U.S. Mission Nigeria warmly welcomes and grants country clearance to Special Counsel Jonathan Rusch from August 22-24, 2006 to speak at the Fifth National Seminar on Economic Crimes in Abuja, Nigeria. ¶3. Control Officer for this visit in Abuja is Gregory Moore, Economic Officer who can be reached on the following numbers: 234-9-461-4378 (OFFICE) 234-803-665-1100 (CELL) 234-9-461-4273 (FAX) 234-9-413-0090 (HOME) MooreGA@state.gov (UNCLASSIFIED EMAIL) ¶4. AmEmbassy Abuja will facilitate local transportation to and from the airport and hotel for Mr. Jonathan Rusch. Posts notes that no assistance with reservations for hotel accommodation is been requested. Travelers are responsible for paying the hotel directly for the cost of their hotel bill and the hotel account must be settled prior to traveler's departure from post. It is required that USG employees who will have accommodation exchange privileges bring sufficient U.S. dollars to pay hotel deposit for at least 2-4 nights lodging until they are able to get to the Embassy/Consulate cashier (closed nights and weekends) for accommodation exchange. Non-US Government employees/contractors are not extended accommodation exchange privileges and must bring sufficient dollars (no travelers checks please) to cover their expenses while at post. It is the policy and practice in Nigeria to pay a deposit when checking into a hotel. ¶A. The following procedures for TDY support are in effect in Mission Nigeria (ref: STATE 209562, dated 18 Jul, 03). Costs associated with visiting VIPs will be funded with fiscal data from a visiting delegation prior to a visit. ICASS services are not charged to TDYers who are (a) temporarily filling vacant positions or staffing gaps, (b) providing support for ICASS services, or (c) providing post-to-post assistance (TDYers sent from one overseas post to another to provide temporary support/assistance). ¶B. Each visitor, regardless of length of stay, must provide fiscal data to pay for direct costs of the visit. Each agency, organization, or visiting delegation will be charged for the actual costs attributed to their visit. Direct charge costs include, but are not limited to: American and LES staff overtime (e.g., expediter, accommodation exchange, representational event support), field travel, lodging and M&IE by Embassy employees, vehicle rentals, long distance telephone calls, equipment rentals, office supplies and all other costs that are directly attributable to the visit. ¶C. For TDYers over thirty (30) days, there is a charge for ICASS support services (basic package, CLO, and health services). A TDY invoice will be prepared where the ICASS services provided to that agency cannot be direct charged and the cumulative amount billed to the agency billing code exceeds $2,500. If your sponsoring agency is not signed up for ICASS services at post, please be prepared to sign a MOU for ICASS support services upon arrival. The agency should provide post with a written communication, generated by the traveler's headquarters that confirms the agency agreement to pay ICASS charges for the TDYer, provides the agency ICASS billing code the TDY support charges should be applied to, and authorizes the traveler to sign the ICASS invoice generated by the TDY module. ¶5. The Mission strongly discourages the use of credit cards anywhere in Nigeria. Visitors should carry cash (U.S. dollars). Visitors should verify the identification of anyone presenting him or herself as a Consulate or Embassy employee, by checking identification badges. ¶6. Visas are required for entry into Nigeria and must be obtained prior to traveling. Airport visas are not/not an available option. ¶7. Photography: Permission is required to take photos of buildings, airports, bridges or official-looking areas. These sites are not always clearly marked. Permission must be obtained from local security personnel. Penalties range from confiscation of equipment to arrest. Some Nigerians object to their photos being taken; always ask permission before taking pictures of individuals. ¶8. Checked baggage is frequently lost or delayed from 24-72 hours en route to Nigeria. Travelers are therefore advised to pack clothing and essentials in their carry on luggage. -------------- MEDICAL -------------- ¶9. Malaria prophylaxis should be started at least one week before arrival, continued through the length of stay and at least four weeks after departure. Post also suggests that visitors ensure that their immunizations are up-to-date and carry their entire yellow shot record with them. Documentation of yellow Fever vaccination is required for entry into this country. ¶10. Persons coming to post TDY without requirement for a medical clearance (TDY for less than 60 days) with chronic medical conditions (diabetes, heart and lung conditions) are advised that CRITICAL/EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE (US Standards) does not exist in this country. People with chronic medical conditions are STRONGLY ADVISED to contact the staff at the Mission Health Unit (either Abuja or Lagos) for further information and advice about available medical support to manage chronic health conditions. Please refer to Post Medical Capabilities Report located on the Office of Medical Services web site for specifics regarding available medical facilities/specialty care. ¶11. Medevac insurance coverage is REQUIRED for persons NOT COVERED under a medical care program with the State Department. -------------- SECURITY -------------- ¶12. Security regulations govern access to U.S. Government facilities and to classified information and classified information processing equipment. Implementation of these regulations requires that the Regional Security Officer be notified of the full name and type of security clearance, if any, held by the visitor. Without this notification, visitors will require escort in facilities where classified information is stored, produced or discussed. Visitor may use their diplomatic or official passports or State Department building passes, along with a copy of this cable, to obtain a temporary Mission identification card, which is required to access and remain on any USG office compound in Nigeria. ¶13. U.S. Mission of Nigeria has not seen the security clearance held by Mr. Jonathan Rusch. ¶14. There is no specific terrorist threat against American citizens or American interests in Nigeria. Rather, the main threat to U.S. citizens and U.S. interests is mostly criminal based upon prevailing economic conditions. Violent crime is endemic throughout the country. Armed street robberies, carjackings, sexual assaults, residential burglaries and credit card fraud threaten every person in the country, foreigners and Nigerians alike. U.S. citizens and official travelers have not been singled out, but they are generally perceived to be affluent and are subject to the same threat as all other persons in Nigeria. There have also been incidents of violent communal unrest outside Abuja and Lagos during the past several months, and innocent bystanders have suffered. RSO has determined that most violent crimes around Abuja take place between the hours of 2400-0500. Post, in consultation with the RSO, has placed a temporary travel restriction on embassy Abuja motor pool vehicles. Embassy vehicles are not permitted to travel outside of Abuja between the hours of 2400-0500. Since the airport is outside of Abuja, travelers should arrange their arrival/departure flights accordingly. ¶15. The security environment in Nigeria mandates that the Regional Security Officer be notified of all travel outside Abuja at least TWO WORKING DAYS prior to the proposed travel. Travelers need to be aware that many areas in the country are significantly less safe than the capital city of Abuja. Travel outside Abuja should be undertaken with caution and scheduled to insure return to Abuja, or another major city, before darkness. ¶16. Poorly maintained roads and vehicles are a danger to travelers. Highway robberies and other violence are real threats. Public transportation, especially buses, is extremely risky and is not recommended. Vehicular accidents are common and frequently draw large, confrontational crowds. Roadside assistance is sometimes non-existent. Always use Embassy/CG Motor pool or a reliable car hire service. TDY visitors under Chief of Mission authority who will be in country more than ten working days are required to receive a mandatory security briefing by the Regional Security Office. Your sponsor will provide you with the date and time of your briefing. ¶17. FOR VISITORS TO LAGOS: Due to the critical crime threat, all official Americans, be they permanent or temporary duty, under the authority of the Chief of Mission are to follow latest mission-wide travel policies which may require the use of lightly armored vehicles (LAVs) and/or armed escort. Nighttime travel outside of Lagos is restricted. ¶18. Scams: Nigeria-based scams are infamous for their cleverness and their ingenuity. These so called "419" scams target foreigners worldwide posing both a financial loss and personal danger to participants. Scams are frequently initiated by credit card use, telephone calls, and unsolicited faxes or letters. No one should provide personal or financial information to unknown parties. ¶19. Hotel security: Hotels used for TDY employees and visitors are relatively safe. Guests should not venture off of the hotel grounds to shopping areas on the street without being accompanied by a seasoned visitor or hotel representative. Also, use of taxis or other vehicles or drivers not specifically arranged by the hotel is strongly discouraged. Visitors must always be cognizant of the presence of commercial sex workers who frequent the casinos, lobbies, pools bars and, at times, brazenly knock on individual hotel room doors, offering their services. If confronted, be firm and the solicitation will usually end. Persistent solicitors should be brought to the attention of hotel security. -------------- PUBLIC AFFAIRS -------------- ¶20. If your office has issued a press release on your visit, please fax a copy to the Embassy's Public Affairs Section (PAS) at 234-9-523-5228, so that we can accurately answer any questions from the local media. PAS frequently arranges press releases, background briefings, press conferences, or one-on-one interviews with Nigerian and resident international press correspondents to help promote USG objectives. U.S. Mission Nigeria can work with you to place op-eds before, during, or after the visit that can advance understanding of the issues. Visitors who will be keynoting or making remarks at the conferences should provide PAS with copies of remarks and handouts, which can reach additional audiences through magazines, newspapers or niche publications. Please advise whether you anticipate or want any media events during your visit. To communicate directly with PAS, please contact in Abuja, Rudolph E. Stewart, CPAO (Country Public Affairs Officer) at 234-9-461-4202 (office phone), 234-9-461-4011 (fax),StewartRE@state.gov (e-mail) or in Lagos, Atim George, PAO, atim_eneida_george@hotmail.com , 234-803-408-0352 (mobile),234-1-261-5753 (office),and 234-1-263-5397 (fax). -------------- COMMUNICATIONS -------------- ¶21. Email accounts: As a policy, post does not create email accounts for TDY personnel. If you wish to check your email while in Nigeria please bring the IP address or name of your home email server. 22 The U.S. Mission wishes you a safe journey and a pleasant stay with us. CAMPBELL