COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED TO WARD FOR TRAVEL TO

UNCLAS BRIDGETOWN 001389

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DOE FOR DOE/PI/TLMCLAURIN
STATE FOR WHA/CAR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ENRG EPET OTRA BB XL
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED TO WARD FOR TRAVEL TO
BARBADOS

REF: STATE 127466


1. Embassy Bridgetown warmly welcomes and grants clearance to
DOE Director of Policy and International Affairs Gary K.
Ward, to travel to Bridgetown, Barbados, from August 10-11 to
meet with Government of Barbados energy officials and private
sector representatives to discuss the upcoming energy
roundtable in September. Embassy reminds originating office
to include all posts to be visited on future country
clearance requests.


2. Control Officer is Economic Officer Anthony Eterno,
contact information: telephone (246) 436-4950 x2230; fax
(246) 431-0384; e-mail: EternoAR@state.gov; cell phone (246)
436-4950. Control Officer will meet Mr. Ward at the airport
and accompany him on his appointments. Mr. Ward has
reservations (confirmation #1893) to overnight at the Grand
Barbados Hotel, telephone (246) 426-4000.


3. Entry/departure requirements: Mission policy is that all
USG travelers to the region be in possession of a valid
passport. Visas are not required for short visits. Barbados
has a departure tax of 25 Barbados dollars or 13.00 U.S.
dollars.


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


5. 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