COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR ROBERT DIGGS TO

UNCLAS BRIDGETOWN 000141 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ABLD AMGT ASEC BB SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR ROBERT DIGGS TO TRAVEL TO BARBADOS REF: STATE 004864 ¶1. Embassy Bridgetown grants country clearance for OBO Fire Protection Specialist Robert Diggs to travel to Barbados on 9-15 February 2006. The purpose of this trip is to evaluate construction of the fire protection systems of the new embassy compound. Please be informed that safety shoes are required to gain access to the site. ¶2. Reservations have been confirmed for the traveler at the Coral Sands Beach Resort 1-246-435-6617. The hotel rate is US$253.13.00 per night, which includes all taxes and service charges. Confirmation number for the traveler is 10295. ¶3. The visitor will travel from the airport to his lodging via taxi. ¶4. Entry requirements: All American citizens must have a valid passport to travel to Barbados. No visa is required. For further information, travelers may contact the Embassy of Barbados, 2144 Wyoming Avenue N.W., Washington D.C. 20008, telephone 1-202-939-9200. 5.POC are Jorge Vazquez Project Director, tel.1-246-427- 6819,cell 1-246-243-3335, Fax.1-246-427-6826 and Angela Arroliga, SSM, cell. 1-246-243-3321. ¶6. Departure tax for Barbados is BDS$25.00 or US$15.00. ¶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 Information -------------- 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 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 repellant. There is also 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