COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED TO KRUSE AND HILLARY FOR

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