COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR PHAM, STRAWTER,

UNCLAS BRIDGETOWN 000173 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC KSEO SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR PHAM, STRAWTER, ELLIS, KRAMER AND LEAGUE TO VISIT BARBADOS REF: FRC FT LAUDERDALE 00085 ¶1. Embassy Bridgetown grants country clearance for OIC Peter Pham, STS James Ellis, SEO Richard Strawter, STS William Kramer and SW1 Steven League to travel to Bridgetown on February 6-10, 2006 to provide technical security support. ¶2. Reservations have been arranged at the Hilton Barbados, Needham Point, St. Michael within current per diem rate of $264 plus 17 percent tax. OIC Peter Pham - Confirmation #35949 STS James Ellis - Confirmation #35950 SEO Richard Strawter - Confirmation #35951 STS William Kramer - Confirmation #35952 SW1 Steven League - Confirmation #35953 In order to secure the hotel rooms, each traveler must contact the hotel with their credit card information. Hilton POC for reservations is Janique (246) 434-5700. Rooms will be held until 1600 Feb 6, 2006. Post will attempt to meet and assist your arrivals. If unable, local transportation from the airport to the Hilton is readily available. 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 $1.00 USD. 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