COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED TO LAGUNA AND OLESON FOR

UNCLAS BRIDGETOWN 001259

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAIR OTRA ST XL
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED TO LAGUNA AND OLESON FOR
TRAVEL TO ST. LUCIA

REF: FAA ARTCC MIAMI 070023Z


1. Embassy Bridgetown warmly welcomes and grants clearance to
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Aviation
Security Inspectors Diana M. Laguna and Jay D. Oleson to
travel to St. Lucia, July 24-28, for the purpose of assessing
security conditions, conducting U.S. air carrier station
inspections, and observing the other air carriers with direct
flights to the United States.


2. Per reftel, Embassy understands assistance for
notification to host national officials, airport manager, and
security officer is requested. No other assistance is
required. Visitors will stay at the Royal by Rex Resort,
tel: 758-452-9999.


3. Embassy Bridgetown requests an outbrief be provided to the
Political/Economic Section relating to activities while in
the region within 10 working days of completion of travel.
Please provide the outbrief by telephone, 246-436-4950,x2230,
or by fax at 246-431-0384.


4. Entry requirements: Mission policy is that all USG
travelers to the region be in possession of a valid passport.
St. Lucia does not require a visa for stays of up to three
months; however, you must have tickets or documentation for
return or onward travel. For stays of longer than three
months you may apply for an extension at the Immigration
Department. There is a departure tax of 45 xcd (Eastern
Caribbean) dollars or 16.50 U.S. dollars.


5. The exchange rate in St. Lucia is 2.70 xcd (Eastern
Caribbean) dollars for one U.S. dollar. U.S. currency,
traveler's checks, and credit cards are routinely and widely
accepted.


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 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.
KRAMER