COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR WILCOX TO

UNCLAS BRIDGETOWN 000292

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC OTRA BB XL
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR WILCOX TO
TRAVEL TO BARBADOS

REF: 101454Z FEB 06


1. AmEmbassy Bridgetown grants country clearance to
Ms. Cynthia M. Wilcox, Supply Analyst for travel to
Barbados March 12 - 18, 2006. The purpose of this
mission is to attend the RSS Security Cooperation
Conference.


2. Embassy assistance is requested. Hotel and
transportation arrangements are being coordinated by Lt
Yasmeen Neal, TCA Coordinator, Military Liaison Office,
(246) 436-4950, ext 2421. Hotel reservations will be
arranged at the Amaryllis Beach Resort, (246) 438-8888.
Point of contact is Major Curtis Schmucker, Deputy
Chief, Military Liaison Office, (246) 436-4950, ext

2284.


3. 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.


4. Departure tax for Barbados $25.00 BDS or $12.50 USD.

5. 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