COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR BAGHDAD REFUGEE COORDINATOR

UNCLAS DAMASCUS 000674

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

AMMAN FOR KANESHIRO, BAGHDAD FOR HILL

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC OTRA PREF SMIG SY IZ
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR BAGHDAD REFUGEE COORDINATOR
CAMILLE HILL

REF: BAGHDAD 411


1. (U) Embassy Damascus welcomes and grants country clearance
to Baghdad Refugee Coordinator Camille Hill for travel to
Damascus from February 28 through March 4, 2006. After
clearing customs, traveler will be met and assisted at the
airport by an Embassy driver who will display a sign with the
traveler's name.


2. (U) POC for this visit is Maria d.G. Olson, POL; Embassy
phone (963)(11) 333-1342, Ext. 272; home phone (963)(11)
612-3845; mobile phone 094-405-166.


3. (U) Action Request: Each visitor must bring a copy of
his/her travel orders or provide fiscal data for the costs of
the visit. Costs include American and FSN overtime,
transportation costs for official vehicles or commercial
transportation long distance telephone calls, and other costs
that are directly attributable to the visit.


4. (U) Visa Requirement: Each traveler must have a valid
Syrian visa prior to departure for Damascus. The Syrian
government will not/not normally grant airport or border
visas. Persons traveling on passports bearing an Israeli
visa or entry/exit stamp, or persons born in the Gaza region
or of Gazan descent, will be refused entry to Syria. Persons
arriving in Syria on a single entry visa and who will be
staying in Syria in excess of 10 days are required to obtain
a "verification stamp" in their passports after arrival.
American citizens are cautioned that the Syrian government
rigidly enforces restrictions on prior travel to Israel.
Travelers with Israeli stamps in their passports, Jordanian
entry cachets, or cachets from Egypt or other countries that
suggest prior travel to Israel will cause Syrian immigration
authorities to refuse the traveler admission into Syria.
Likewise, the absence of entry stamps from a country adjacent
to Israel, which the traveler has just visited, will cause
Syrian immigration officials to refuse admittance. American
citizen travelers suspected of having traveled to Israel have
been detained for questioning.


5. (U) Security Requirements: All visitors must receive a
briefing from the Regional Security office upon arrival.


6. (U) Lodging: Per an e-mail request from Amman-based
RefCoord Claire Kaneshiro, a single room has been reserved at
the Four Seasons Hotel Damascus (telephone 963-11-339-1010)
for the nights of Tuesday, February 28 - Thursday, March 2,
departing the morning of March 3. The room rate of USD 110
is within per diem but does not include breakfast, a 10
percent service charge or 11 percent tax. The Four Seasons
accepts major credit cards.


7. (U) Departure Tax and Flight Reconfirmation: Syria
charges a departure tax of SP200 (approximately $4),payable
in SP cash only. Those travelers on diplomatic passports are
exempt, but those with official passports are required to pay
the tax. Visitors also should confirm onward flight
reservations 72 hours prior to departure.


8. (U) Health: Health facilities in Damascus are not up to
U.S. or European standards and facilities outside Damascus
are extremely limited. Only personnel covered under the
State Department's medical program, and with a valid medical
clearance for Syria are eligible for medevac at USG cost.
All other visitors are recommended to have medical evacuation
insurance sufficient to cover evacuation by chartered air
ambulance or ensure their agency will voucher the cost.


9. (U) Communications: Long distance telephone calls (for
official business only) can be placed from the Embassy if the
traveler provides a fund cite or has authorization from the
appropriate agency/section head at post. IVG lines are
available at post. The Internet can be accessed through a
stand-alone PC in the Embassy on a first-come, first-serve
basis. There is no charge for this service. Alternatively,
the Internet may be accessed from hotels in Damascus using
either of two Syrian ISPs or through the Embassy's Internet
connection. (Check with the ISC for accounts and
configuration settings.) There are also several Internet
"cafes" available. Cell phone roaming is available in Syria
for GSM systems only. Please contact the Embassy in advance
to make arrangements for cell phone access if you do not have
a GSM system phone.


10. (U) Currency Exchange: The Embassy Class B cashier
provides accommodation exchange from dollars to Syrian pounds
at the current rate for institutions (SP 53 to $1) against

cash, travelers checks, or, with the authorization of the
financial management officer, personal checks. Reverse
accommodation exchange is not authorized in accordance with
Syrian government regulations. Alternatively, travelers can
purchase pounds at branches of the Commercial Bank of Syria.
(A branch office is located in the Sheraton Hotel.) It is
illegal to exchange money except at authorized exchange
points (i.e., the Embassy or branches of the Commercial
Bank). Post recommends against using any type of credit or
debit cards for purchases or currency exchange while in Syria.


11. (U) Photos: Photography of individuals in uniform
(including police),government buildings, and military
installations is strictly forbidden.


12. (U) Threat Assessment: Presently in Syria there are no
specific threats against official or unofficial American
travelers. Political developments in the Middle East are
fluid and can quickly affect the security environment in
Syria. Violent mob attacks against U.S. mission facilities
in Syria occurred in 1998 and 2000 in response to regional
events. In February 2005 the former Prime Minister of
Lebanon was assassinated in Beirut, precipitating the
withdrawal from Lebanon of Syrian military forces. The
entire political, economic, and security implications of this
change remain unknown. All Americans traveling to Syria
should try to be unpredictable in their activities. They
should avoid large crowds and gatherings and should report
suspicious incidents to the Regional Security Officer.
Further, they should avoid electronic financial transactions
and should not carry valuables or large amounts of cash in
crowded shopping districts. Visitors should read and follow
the guidance contained in the latest Public Announcements and
State Department Travel Advisory for Syria.
SECHE