COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR ROBERT K. COLE

UNCLAS BRIDGETOWN 000363

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AMLB AMGT ASEC OTRA BB
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR ROBERT K. COLE
TO TRAVEL TO BARBADOS

REF: STATE 030891


1. Embassy Bridgetown grants country clearance for OBO
Construction Analyst Robert K. Cole. The purpose of
this visit is to assist the Project Director during the
period February 28th - March 10th 2006. Please be
informed that safety shoes are required to gain access
to the site.


2. Reservations have been confirmed for the traveller
at the Coral Sands Beach Resort Tel- 1-246-435-6617.
The hotel rate is US$253.13 per night, which includes
all taxes and service charges. The current per diem in
Barbados is US$264 for lodging and US$130 for MI&E.
Confirmation number for the traveller is 10524. The
local address for Coral Sands Beach Resort is Worthing,
Christ Church.


3. The visitor will be met and transported to his
lodging by PD Jorge Vazquez.


4. 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 travellers
arriving with diplomatic or official passports. For
further information, travellers may contact the Embassy
of Barbados, 2144 Wyoming Avenue N.W., Washington D.C.
20008, telephone 1-202-939-9200.


5. P O C is OBO Project Director, Jorge Vazquez
Tel. 1-246-427-6819, Cel. 1-246-243-3335, Fax. 1-246-
427-6826.


6. Departure tax for Barbados is $25.00 BDS or
$15.00USD.


7. 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 jewellery, 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, St. Lucia,
and St. Vincent 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 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, and oral polio
vaccine) are required when travelling 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