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