COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR ICE OFFICERS DE

UNCLAS BRIDGETOWN 000297 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR DS/CR/CIL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC OTRA BB SC SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR ICE OFFICERS DE LA CRUZ AND FUENTES TO ESCORT DEPORTEE VALENTINE GRAHAM A037189311 TO ST. KITTS REF: 130826Z FEB 06 ¶1. Embassy Bridgetown grants country clearance for ICE Officers Eduardo De La Cruz and Jose Fuentes to escort criminal Valentine Graham #A037189311 to St. Kitts on February 23, 2006. RSO understands that escorting officers will be return to U.S. on evening flight departing on February 23, 2006. ¶2. Embassy RSO has notified St. Kitts authorities of the details of the visit. Understand that further Embassy assistance is not required. If you have any questions, please contact Sean A. Nedd at Embassy Bridgetown Tel:(246) 436-4950, x2430 or Fax: 1 246/430- 3747, E-mail: Neddsa@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 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 St. Kitts. 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 St. Kitts in Washington, 3216 New Mexico Avenue, NW 20016 TEL 202-686-2636 FAX 202-686- ¶5740. ¶5. Departure tax for St. Kitts is $50.00 EC or $19.00 USD. Individuals traveling on Diplomatic Passports are exempt from this departure tax. ¶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. Sunscreen or sunblock 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