COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR HOGAN TO TRAVEL TO BARBADOS,

UNCLAS BRIDGETOWN 001718

SIPDIS

TOPEC

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC OTRA BB ST GJ DO XL
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR HOGAN TO TRAVEL TO BARBADOS,
SAINT LUCIA, GRENADA AND DOMINICA

REF: STATE 159413


1. Embassy Bridgetown welcomes and grants country clearance to
Patrick Hogan, Peace Corps Associate Director for Safety and
Security, to travel to Barbados, St. Lucia, Grenada, and Dominica
a/o October 1, 2006 and to depart a/o October 12, 2006. The purpose
of this visit is to accompany Peace Corps Safety and Security
Officer Neil Shouba to St. Lucia, Grenada, Carriacou, and Dominica
to do a routine review of the safety and security programs.


2. Post understands that Peace Corps Eastern Caribbean based in St.
Lucia will arrange for Mr. Hogan's travel and logistical support.


3. Entry requirements: A valid U.S. passport is required to enter
Saint Lucia. 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 of Saint Lucia, 3216 New Mexico Avenue, N.W., Washington,
D.C. 20016, telephone (202) 364-6792.


4. Departure tax for St. Lucia is XCD$45.00 or USD$17.00.


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

Airports and Transportation
--------------
Eastern Caribbean nations are visitor-friendly and do not require
visas for U.S. citizens traveling on valid U.S. passports with
return tickets. Commercial taxis are readily available and
reasonably priced at airports throughout the region.

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