Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BRIDGETOWN924
2006-05-30 18:22:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Bridgetown
Cable title:  

COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED TO KRUSE AND HILLARY FOR

Tags:  OTRA AC ST XL 
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VZCZCXYZ0012
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHWN #0924 1501822
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 301822Z MAY 06
FM AMEMBASSY BRIDGETOWN
TO RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC
INFO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2588
UNCLAS BRIDGETOWN 000924 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DOC PASS TO NOAA/NOS INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM OFFICE FOR SSMITH
STATE FOR WHA/CAR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OTRA AC ST XL
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED TO KRUSE AND HILLARY FOR
TRAVEL TO ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA AND ST. LUCIA

REF: DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 2331

UNCLAS BRIDGETOWN 000924

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DOC PASS TO NOAA/NOS INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM OFFICE FOR SSMITH
STATE FOR WHA/CAR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OTRA AC ST XL
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED TO KRUSE AND HILLARY FOR
TRAVEL TO ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA AND ST. LUCIA

REF: DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 2331


1. Embassy Bridgetown welcomes and grants clearance to
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National
Ocean Service employees Edward Kruse and Anne Hillary. Mr.
Kruse will visit Antigua and Barbuda June 5-9, to meet with
the Caribbean Health Institute and government representatives
on the National Plan of Action Initiatives and participate in
the Third Caribbean Environmental Forum and Exhibit. Mr.
Kruse and Ms. Hillary will visit St. Lucia June 9-13, to meet
with the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS)
regarding the development of National Programs of Action.
(Note: Ms. Hillary will not arrive on St. Lucia until June
10.)


2. Per reftel, Embassy understands assistance is not
required. Mr. Kruse will stay at the Grand Royal Antiguan
Beach Resort in Antigua, telephone 268/462-3733. Mr. Kruse
and Ms. Hillary will stay at the Bay Gardens Hotel in St.
Lucia, telephone 758/452-8060.


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 for Antigua and Barbuda: 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. Entry requirements for St. Lucia: Mission policy is that
all USG travelers to the region be in possession of a valid
passport. St. Lucia does not require a visa for stays of up
to three months, however, you must have tickets or
documentation for return or onward travel. For stays of
longer than three months you may apply for an extension at
the Immigration Department. There is a departure tax of 45
xcd (Eastern Caribbean) dollars or 16.50 U.S. dollars.


6. The exchange rate in Antigua and Barbuda and St. Lucia 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.


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 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