COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR ICE OFFICERS

UNCLAS BRIDGETOWN 000192 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR DS/CR/CIL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC OTRA BB XL SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR ICE OFFICERS TORRES AND VALCARCEL TO ESCORT RICHARD ELLIOTT TO ANTIGUA REF: ICE cable #271413Z JAN 06 ¶1. Embassy Bridgetown grants country clearance for ICE Officers Carlos Torres and Datza Valcarcel to escort Richard Elliott to Antigua, February 7-8, 2006 ¶2. Embassy RSO has notified Antigua authorities of the details of the visit. Understand that further Embassy assistance is not required. If you have any questions, please contact Nancy Nelson at Embassy Bridgetown Tel:(246) 436-4950, x2430 or Fax: 1 246/430-3747, Email: NelsonNE@state.gov. For 24-hour contact please access the embassy number and extension 2210. ¶3. Unfortunately, post's resources do not allow us the flexibility to meet and assist visitors at the airport. However, Customs and Immigration are visitor-friendly. The exchange rate is approximately $2.70 EC 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 Antigua. 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 Antigua in Washington, 3216 New Mexico Avenue, NW 20016 TEL 202-362-5122 FAX 202-362-5225. ¶5. Departure tax for Antigua is $50.00 EC or $19.00 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