UNCLAS BRIDGETOWN 000890

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

TREASURY FOR IET/SHILPA S KUKJIAN
STATE FOR WHA/CAR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EFIN OTRA AC XL
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED TO HALLDORSON, BACHMAN,
AND HECTOR FOR TRAVEL TO ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA

REF: DEPT OF TREASURY 041956Z MAY 06


1. Embassy Bridgetown welcomes and grants clearance to U.S.
Treasury Advisors Marvin Halldorson, Shirley Bachman, and
Rickey Hector for travel to Antigua and Barbuda June 4-30.
Mr. Halldorson departs June 24. The Treasury Advisors will
conduct a Gaming Course Phase I and Internet Gaming workshop
with country representatives.


2. Per reftel, Embassy understands assistance is not needed.
The travelers will stay at the Jolly Beach Resort, telephone,
268/462-0061.


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 X2230,
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