COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR AMBASSADOR PETER ALLGEIER,

UNCLAS BAKU 001481 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AMGT OVIP OTRA ETRD ASEC AJ SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR AMBASSADOR PETER ALLGEIER, USTR/GENEVA REF: GENEVA 2568 ¶1. Embassy Baku warmly welcomes and grants country clearance to Ambassador Peter Allgeier to travel to Baku 15-18 October 2006 on a PD-sponsored Speaker program to conduct public outreach, in addition to meetings with the GOAJ on WTO accession. Control officer will be Public Diplomacy Officer Liz Murphy. Ms. Murphy can be reached at the Embassy at: Email: MurphyEA2@state.gov Mobile: (994) (50) 206-0751 International Line: (994) (12) 498-03-35, 36, OR 37 Tie Line: 841-0000 OR 0+4265 International Fax: (994) (12) 498-93-12 Tie Line Fax: 841-4289. ¶2. Accommodations: Reservations have made for Ambassador Allgeier at the Park Hyatt, confirmation number 50371773. 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 15 October through departure on 18 October 2006. 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: VIP arrival has been arranged for arrival at the Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Baku, and an Embassy expediter will assist with visa procedures. ¶4. Travel advisory: Travelers are advised also that the alternate landing site for Austrian flight Vienna-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 Ambassador Allgeier at the airport, provide transportation during the visit, and provide transportation to the airport for his departure. DERSE