COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR EUR /CARC CONFLICTS ADVISOR JOHN

UNCLAS BAKU 001425

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT PLEASE PASS TO EUR/CARC JOHN CROSBY

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OTRA AJ
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR EUR /CARC CONFLICTS ADVISOR JOHN
CROSBY

REF: STATE 163482


1. Embassy Baku warmly welcomes and grants country clearance to
EUR/CARC John Crosby to travel to Baku 1-2 October 2006, to support
the OSCE Minsk Group's U.S. Co-Chair negotiations on
Nagorno-Karabakh. Control officer will be Political Officer Jeff
Bennett. Mr. Bennett can be reached at the Embassy at:

Email: BennettJA@State.Gov
Mobile: (994) (50) 224-8475
International Line: (994) (12) 498-03-35, 36, OR 37
Tie Line: 841-0000 OR 0+4980
International Fax: (994) (12) 465-66-71
Tie Line Fax: 841-4289.


2. Accommodations: Reservations have made for EUR/CARC Crosby at
the Park Hyatt, confirmation number 50376880. The Hyatt's address
is 1 Bakikhanov St, Baku; telephone number is (994)(12) 498-1234 or
490-1234; fax number is (994)(12) 498-0817. The reservation covers
the period of an arrival on 10 September through a departure on 14
September. The hotel's daily rate is $218.00 USD. Please note that
cancellation or amendment of a confirmed reservation must be done 48
hours prior to arrival. Failure to do so will result in a one-night
cancellation fee.


3. Visas: All travelers are advised to obtain visas for all/all
stops on their itinerary prior to their departure. We recommend
that travelers obtain Azerbaijan visas from the Embassy of
Azerbaijan at the point of origin, and that they allow 10 days for
processing of the visa request. If visas cannot be obtained at the
traveler's point of origin, an airport visa can be issued upon
arrival. Please proof read your visa carefully. An occasional
Embassy guest has received a visa with an error in it. If traveling
on a Diplomatic Passport there is no fee. If traveling on tourist
or official passports, there is a dollars 40 fee for a single entry
visa. Default validity is 7 days, but 30 day validity is available
on request. Passport assistance is available at the passport
counter in room 1258 of the State Department. The Embassy of
Azerbaijan requires a minimum of two working days to process visa
requests. Should the projected itinerary include transit through
Turkey, visitors must obtain Turkish visas in advance. Bearers of
Diplomatic or Official Passports are not permitted to purchase
airport visas in Turkey and will be denied exit from the Istanbul
airport. If transit through Russia is necessary, travelers must
obtain transit visas in advance.


4. Travel advisory: Travelers are advised also that the alternate
landing site for BA flight London-Baku is Tbilisi, Georgia. The
alternate landing site would be used only in situations which
prohibit landing at Baku Heydar Aliyev International Airport.


5. Web site: Useful information for all travelers is available on
the internet at http://baku.usembassy.gov. Follow links for
consular services: traveling to Azerbaijan.


6. General reminders:

--bring sufficient cash to pay for all expenses except lodging.
Credit cards are still accepted only by businesses that cater to
foreigners, such as hotels, travel agencies, international airlines
and a few restaurants.

--the Embassy has a CIRRUS/Plus network ATM machine, which accepts
most U.S. bank cards. It dispenses both the local currency
(Azerbaijani manat) and U.S. dollars.

--bring supplies of all hard-to-find foods, toiletries and
medicines. Western commodities are sold in Baku but are expensive
and not always available.

--drink only bottled water; tap water is not potable.


7. Security: Crime in Baku is comparable with that of major U.S.
cities. Visitors should exercise caution, avoid walking alone after
dark, and be aware of their surroundings at all times. Street crime
includes pickpockets, jewelry snatching and armed robbery. If
confronted, no resistance should be given and valuables should be
surrendered. Medical facilities are limited in dealing with major
trauma care. Visitors should keep their passports or a copy with
them at all times. Counterfeit U.S. dollars are often passed in
Baku. Visitors should exchange money only at the major banks and
hotels, or at the Embassy cashier.


8. Security clearance level: All visitors who require access to
cleared areas and "no escort" ID badges must provide proof of their
security clearance by front channel cable.


9. Meet and Assist: Embassy Baku will meet DAS Bryza at the airport
per reftel, provide transportation during the visit, and provide

transportation to the airport for his departure.

DERSE