COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR AZERBAIJANI DESK OFFICER

UNCLAS BAKU 001470 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OTRA AJ SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR AZERBAIJANI DESK OFFICER LANE BAHL REF: STATE 168664 ¶1. Embassy Baku warmly welcomes and grants country clearance to EUR/CARC Azerbaijani Desk Officer Lane Bahl to travel to Baku 10-15 October, 2006, for consultations and area familiarization. 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 4209 International Fax: (994) (12) 465-66-71 Tie Line Fax: 841-4289. ¶2. Accommodations: Reservations have made for EUR/CARC Azerbaijani Desk Officer Lane Bahl at the Park Inn, confirmation number 87529. The Park Inn's address is 1 Azadliq Avenue, Baku; telephone number is (994)(12) 490-6000. The reservation covers the period of an arrival on 10 October through a departure on 15 October. The hotel's daily rate is $140.00 USD, which includes breakfast. Plese note that cancellation or amendment of a confrmed reservation must be done 48 hours prior to rrival. ¶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 assport 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 Assit: Embassy Baku will meet DAS Bryza at the airprt per reftel, provide transportation during the viit, and provide transportation to the airport for his departure. DERSE