COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR RICHARD

UNCLAS BRIDGETOWN 000177 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ABLD AMGT ASEC BB XL SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR RICHARD COLQUHOUN, SECURITY MANAGEMENT DEPUTY DIRECTOR TO TRAVEL TO BARBADOS REF: STATE 011591 ¶1. Embassy Bridgetown grants country clearance for Security Management Deputy Director Richard Colquhoun to visit Barbados on February 21-23, 2006. The purpose of this trip is to evaluate and review SSM's performance. 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 10284. ¶3. The visitor will be met at the airport and transported to his lodging by Ms. Angela Arrliga (Stone). ¶4. Entry requirements: All American citizens must have a valid passport to travel to Barbados. No visa is required for stays of less than six months. 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 is Angela Arrliga, SSM, tel.1-246-427-6819, Fax.1-246-427-6826 and cell. 1-246-243-3321. ¶6. Traveler's requested equipment is approved for use in the OBO Office space and request for use on-site will be approved as appropriate upon arrival. ¶7. Departure tax for Barbados is BDS$25.00 or US$15.00. ¶8. 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