COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED TO WHALEY FOR TRAVEL TO

UNCLAS BRIDGETOWN 000993 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT PASS TO BUREAU OF LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS FOR DELORES PARKS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OREP AMGT ASEC AFIN OTRA SC XL SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED TO WHALEY FOR TRAVEL TO ST. KITTS AND NEVIS REF: A. STATE 94306 ¶B. BRIDGETOWN 937 ¶C. STATE 86634 ¶1. Embassy Bridgetown welcomes and grants clearance to David Whaley, Professional Staff Member, House Resources Committee (HRESO),for travel to St. Kitts and Nevis from June 15-21, ¶2006. Mr. Whaley will attend the International Whaling Commission's 58th Annual Meeting as part of the U.S. Delegation. ¶2. Per reftels A and C, Embassy understands assistance is requested for a control officer, administrative point of contact, accommodations, and transportation. Control Officer: Shannon E. Runyon, Political Officer, Embassy Bridgetown. Ms. Runyon's contact information is as follows: email, runyonse@state.gov; work telephone, 246/436-4950 x2224; fax, 246/431-0384; and cell phone, 246/823-1938. Note: When calling Barbados or St. Kitts and Nevis from the U.S. the caller only needs to place a "1" in front of the area code. Do not dial "01" as the call will not go through. Ms. Runyon will be at the St. Kitts Marriott from June 20 to June 22. Administrative Contact: Lauren M. Bradley, Office Management Specialist, Embassy Bridgetown. Ms. Bradley's contact information is as follows: email, bradleylm@state.gov; work telephone, 246/436-4950 x2228; fax, 246/431-0384; and cell phone, 246/823-3984. Accommodations: Because of demand generated by the International Whaling Commission meeting, the Marriott is fully booked for the entire period Mr. Whaley will be visiting. Mr. Whaley has a single room reservation at the Bird Rock Beach Resort located in Basseterre ten minutes from the Marriott. Please see below for all hotel information. The Bird Rock Beach Resort does not need a deposit and has marked in the confirmation that the guest will pay when he arrives. (Note: Mr. Wackowski and Mr. Bertoson will be moving to the Bird Rock Beach Resort on June 20. The difference in price from reftel B for the Bird Rock Beach Resort is because of a special offer that was running during the previous reservation request. End Note) Bird Rock Beach Resort June 15-21 Confirmation number: 7221 Telephone: 869/465-8914 Rate: 85.00 USD plus 19 percent tax per night Transportation: Embassy Bridgetown is a regional embassy located in Barbados. As such, the Embassy does not have any vehicles to provide transportation on St. Kitts and Nevis. Taxis are widely available on the island. The approximate taxi cost from the airport to the Bird Rock Beach Resort is 12.00 USD one way. ¶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. There is a departure tax of 45 xcd (Eastern Caribbean) dollars or 16.50 U.S. dollars. ¶5. The exchange rate in St. Kitts and Nevis 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