UNCLAS BRIDGETOWN 000337

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR WHA/CAR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAIR AC XL
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED TO OMAR GONZALEZ FOR
TRAVEL TO ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA

REF: USDA FAS 676372


1. Embassy Bridgetown welcomes and grants clearance to Omar
Gonzalez, Deputy Director in the Caribbean Basin Agricultural
Trade Office (CBATO), to travel to Antigua and Barbuda
February 27 - March 1, 2006. Mr. Gonzalez will be conducting
trade servicing with importers and retailers of food products
and recruiting buyers to attend select food shows in the U.S.
Mr. Gonzalez will be accompanied by Mrs. Pamela Wells
Russell, a private contractor, and Caribbean Representative
for the following state regional trade groups, Mid-America
International Agri-Trade Council and Food Export USA
Northeast.


2. Per reftel, Embassy understands assistance is not
requested.


3. Embassy Bridgetown requests an outbrief be provided to the
Political-Economic Section relating to activities while in
the region within 10 working days of completion of travel.
Please provide the outbrief by telephone, 246/436-4950 X2228,
or by fax at 246/431-0384.


4. Entry requirements: Mission policy is that all USG
travelers to the region be in possession of a valid passport.
Visas are not required for short visits. There is a
departure tax of 50 xcd (Eastern Caribbean) dollars or 19
U.S. dollars.


5. The exchange rate in Antigua and Barbuda is 2.70 xcd
(Eastern Caribbean) dollars for one U.S. dollar. U.S.
currency, travelers' checks, and credit cards are routinely
and widely accepted.


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 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
--------------

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 and the Grenadines 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
repellent. There is 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