COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR ICE ATTACHE

UNCLAS BRIDGETOWN 000121 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC OTRA BB SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR ICE ATTACHE LOONEY TO TRAVEL TO BARBADOS REF: 181802Z JAN 06 ¶1. Embassy Bridgetown grants country clearance for ICE Attach Michael P. Looney to travel to Bridgetown on January 19-21, 2006. The purpose of his visit is to meet with the Ambassador to discuss budget and MPP projections. ¶2. Post notes that ICE Attach Looney requires no further assistance by the Embassy. If you have any questions, please contact Nancy Nelson at Embassy Bridgetown Tel:(246) 436-4950, x2430 or Fax: 1 246/430- 3747, E-mail: NelsonNE@state.gov. For 24-hour contact please access the embassy number and extension 2210. ¶3. The exchange rate is approximately 2.00 BD$ for 1 U.S. Dollar. U.S. currency, traveler's checks, and credit cards are routinely and widely accepted here. ¶4. Entry requirements: A valid U.S. passport is required to enter Barbados. No visa is required if your stay is under six months, including those travelers arriving with diplomatic or official passports. For further information, travelers may contact the Embassy Bridgetown, telephone 436-4950. ¶5. Departure tax for Barbados is $25.00 BD or $13.00 USD. ¶6. 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 facilities 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. HEALTH INFORMATION -------------- In Barbados, Saint Lucia and St. Vincent, the major health threat is dengue fever, transmitted by the Aedes Aegypti mosquito. Persons should therefore protect themselves with insect repellent. There is also a growing incidence of HIV/AIDS. The Eastern Caribbean enjoys clean and safe drinking water. Only routine boosters for immunizations, i.e., Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis and oral polio vaccine are required when traveling to this region. 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 or sunblocks should be used for protection. Barbados has the best medical facilities of all the islands of the Eastern Caribbean, and most of the medical specialties have practitioners here. KRAMER