COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED TO USPS AND DOS

UNCLAS BRIDGETOWN 000997

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR WHA/CAR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OTRA AORC VC XL
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED TO USPS AND DOS
OFFICIALS FOR TRAVEL TO ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES

REF: STATE 91834


1. Embassy Bridgetown welcomes and grants clearance to Dennis
Delehanty, Director of Postal Affairs, Bureau of
International Organizations, U.S. Dept. of State; Michael
Regan, Director, International Postal Affairs, U.S. Postal
Service; Brian Hutchins, International Postal Affairs
Specialist, U.S. Postal Service; and Sandra Figueroa,
Caribbean Regional Support Center Manager, U.S. Postal
Service; for travel to St. Vincent and the Grenadines June
11-17, 2006. The travelers will attend the Caribbean Postal
Union Conference.


2. Per reftel, Embassy understands assistance is not
required. Mr. Regan, Mr. Hutchins, and Ms. Figueroa will
stay at Roys Inn, tel: 784/456-2100. Mr. Delehanty will stay
at the Cobblestone Inn, tel: 784/456-1937.


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.


5. Entry/departure requirements: Mission policy is that all
USG travelers to the region be in possession of a valid
passport. Visas are not required, length of stay is
determined by immigration official upon arrival, if
necessary. All visitors must have a return or ongoing
ticket. There is a departure tax of 30 xcd (Eastern
Caribbean dollars) or 12 U.S. dollars.


6. The exchange rate in St. Vincent and the Grenadines 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