Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BRIDGETOWN202
2006-01-31 10:55:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Bridgetown
Cable title:  

COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR AVSED TO TRAVEL

Tags:  ASEC OTRA AC BB XL 
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VZCZCXYZ0004
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHWN #0202 0311055
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 311055Z JAN 06
FM AMEMBASSY BRIDGETOWN
TO RULSJGA/COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//G-MP/G-CI/G-86//
RUEHSJ/CHODC SAN JOSE CS
RUCOCGR/COMLANTAREA COGARD PORTSMOUTH VA//AM//
RULSJGI/COGARD INTELCOORDCEN WASHINGTON DC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC//DHO-5//
RULSJGA/COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//G-CI//
RUDGABP/DET 1 45RANS ANTIGUA AC
RUDGAAA/45 CES PATRICK AFB FL
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1780
UNCLAS BRIDGETOWN 000202 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC OTRA AC BB XL
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR AVSED TO TRAVEL
TO BARBADOS AND ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA

REF: 271256Z JAN 06

UNCLAS BRIDGETOWN 000202

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC OTRA AC BB XL
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR AVSED TO TRAVEL
TO BARBADOS AND ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA

REF: 271256Z JAN 06


1. Embassy Bridgetown grants country clearance to Lt
CDR Kimberley J. Avsec, U.S Coast Guard, for travel to
Barbados February 22 - 26, 2006 and to Antigua and
Barbuda February 26 - 02 March, 2006. The purpose of
these missions is to have bi-lateral port security
discussions with port officials of Barbados and Antigua
and Barbuda.


2. Understand Embassy assistance is not required. Point
of contact is CDR Peter Kilfoyle, Chief, Military
Liaison Office, (246) 436-4950, ext 2300.


3. Unfortunately, post's resources do not allow us the
flexibility to meet and assist visitors at the airport.
However, Barbadian Customs and Immigration are visitor-
friendly. The taxi rate from the airport to the hotel
is approximately BDS$30.00 (USD$15.00). The exchange
rate is a constant 2 Barbados dollars to 1 U.S. Dollar.
You should bring enough U.S. Dollar bills to pay the
taxi. The embassy is co-located with a bank that can
accommodate currency exchange. However, U.S. currency,
travelers' checks, and credit cards are routinely and
widely accepted here.


4. Entry requirements: A valid U.S passport is required
to enter Barbados and Antigua and Barbuda. No Visa is
required if your stay is under six months, including
those travelers arriving with diplomatic or official
passports.


5. Departure tax for Barbados is $25.00 BDS or $15.00
USD. Departure tax for Antigua & Barbuda is $50.00 ECC
(Eastern Caribbean Currency) 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 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, Saint Lucia
and Saint Vincent, the major health threat is dengue
fever, transmitted by the aedes aegypti mosquito.
Dengue cases are most often seen in the summer months.
Persons should therefore protect themselves with insect
repellent. 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, pertussis 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