COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED TO LINDA BROWN FOR

UNCLAS BRIDGETOWN 000118

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR G/TIP FOR LINDA BROWN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OTRA PHUM SMIG KCRM KWMN BB XL
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED TO LINDA BROWN FOR
TRAVEL TO BARBADOS

REF: STATE 3392


1. Embassy Bridgetown welcomes and grants clearance to Linda
Brown, Reports Officer for South America and Central America
and the smaller Caribbean island states, Office to Monitor
and Combat Trafficking in Persons (G/TIP),to Barbados
February 10 - 15, 2006. Ms. Brown will be assessing recent
government efforts to address trafficking in persons in
meetings with appropriate Mission Officers, host government
officials, local NGOs, and international organization
representatives engaged in activities to combat human
trafficking.


2. Per reftel, the Embassy has made reservations for Ms.
Brown at the Coral Sands Beach Resort, 246-435-6617, February
10 - 15, 2006. The cost is U.S. $235.13 per night inclusive
of all taxes. The confirmation number is 10294.


3. The Embassy is unable to provide meet and assist at the
airport. However, taxis are safe, reliable, and readily
available at the airport. Estimated cost from the airport to
Coral Sands Beach Resort is 15 to 20 U.S. dollars.


4. Post acknowledges the information provided regarding Ms.
Brown's passport number and security clearance.


5. The control officer for Ms. Brown is Shannon E. Runyon.
She may be reached by email at runyonse@state.gov, work
phone: 246-436-4950 ext. 2229, home phone: 246-427-1453, and
cell phone: 246-823-1938.


6. Entry/departure requirements: Mission policy is that all
USG travelers to the region be in possession of a valid
passport. Visas are not required. Visitors are granted up
to 28 days upon entry, which can be extended through the
Barbados Immigration Department for up to six months.
Barbados has a departure tax of 25 Barbados dollars or 12.50
U.S. dollars. Visitors traveling on a diplomatic passport do
not have to pay the departure tax.


7. The exchange rate in Barbados is two Barbados dollars for
one U.S. dollar. U.S. currency, travelers' checks, and
credit cards are routinely and widely accepted.


8. The following is general information pertaining to
security and health considerations throughout the Eastern
Caribbean:

Security
--------------

In the Eastern Caribbean, foot travel outside of
well-established tourist areas is not generally recommended,
especially at night. Be vigilant when using public
telephones or ATM machines near roadsides or quiet areas. As
in many U.S. metropolitan areas, wearing expensive jewelry,
carrying expensive objects, or carrying large amounts of cash
should be avoided. Visitors should also safeguard valuables
while at the beach. While hotels are generally safe, many
visitors have experienced loss of unattended items. Hotel
burglaries are not uncommon and all valuables should be
locked in room safes if possible.


Health
--------------

Throughout the Eastern Caribbean, the most likely threat to a
visitor's health is sunburn. It takes several weeks to
become accustomed to the heat and humidity. Prolonged
exposure to the sun, without protection, causes sunburn and
may ultimately result in sun-damaged skin or even skin
cancer. Sunscreens should be used for protection. In
Barbados, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines the
major health threat is dengue fever, transmitted by mosquito.
Dengue cases are most often seen in the summer months.
Persons should therefore protect themselves with insect
repellent. There is a growing number of HIV/AIDS cases
reported. The Eastern Caribbean enjoys clean and safe
drinking water. Only routine boosters for immunizations
(i.e., tetanus, diphtheria, and oral polio vaccine) are
required when traveling to this region. Barbados has the
best medical facilities of all the islands in the region and
most of the medical specialties have practitioners here.
GILROY