COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED TO SANTIAGO RICH III

UNCLAS DUBLIN 000043 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ABLD AMGT ASEC EI SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED TO SANTIAGO RICH III REF: STATE 05538 ¶1. (SBU) Post welcomes and grants country clearance to OBO/OM/FAC Maintenance Support Branch Chief Santiago Rich III to travel to Dublin, Ireland, from January 28 to February 01, ¶2006. Purpose of visit is to consult with post management and the FM regarding the establishment and integration of the new FM position into post operations. ¶2. (U) Embassy control officer for this visit is FM Gill Serrao, office telephone 353-1-630-6243, home telephone 353-1-205-3635, cell phone 353-87-127-1901, email: SerraoGW@state.gov. Embassy telephone number while in country is (01) 668-8777 during business hours; (01) 668-9612 after hours. ¶3. (U) Reservations have been made at the Berkeley Court Hotel, Landsdowne Road, Dublin 4, telephone number 353-1-660-1711, fax 353-1-661-7238. Room rate is Euro 177. Please provide post with fiscal data or credit card information to confirm the reservations. ¶4. (U) Please send a cable to post with traveler's security clearance information, if not already done, to facilitate unescorted access within the Embassy, as required by 12 FAM ¶443. GENERAL TRAVEL INFORMATION ¶5. (U) There are no visa requirements for visitors traveling to Ireland on diplomatic or official passports. ¶6. (U) Please note that as of March 29, 2004, Ireland has instituted a smoking ban in the work place, including all pubs, restaurants, and hotel common areas. Violation of this law may result in a fine of up to Euro 3,000. Check with hotel staff upon arrival to determine if smoking is permitted in hotel room. ¶7. (U) Post policy is to provide airport pickup for employees at the rank of Deputy Assistant Secretary or above. Other travelers should take the Dublin Aircoach (7 Euro one way, departure every 15 minutes) or a taxi (approximately 25 Euro one way). Travelers arriving with excess equipment or having special transportation needs should communicate those requirements to their Embassy control officer prior to arrival. ¶8. (U) Accommodation Exchange: Post does not have check cashing or money changing facilities. Major credit cards are widely accepted; ATM machines accept most major U.S. bankcards, and offer the best exchange rates. SECURITY INFORMATION FOR IRELAND ¶9. (U) Post is unaware of direct threats against Americans or U.S. interests in Ireland, and Ireland remains a relatively safe country where anti-American sentiment is rare. For additional threat assessment information regarding Ireland, you may contact DS/DSS/ITA (Diplomatic Security's Office of Intelligence and Threat Assessment) in the State Department at 202-663-0787. TDY visitors staying longer than 30 days should schedule a briefing with the Regional Security Officer. ¶10. (U) Street Crime: Like any large urban center, Dublin has its share of street crime, especially pick-pocketing and purse-snatching. Valuables should not be left unattended in cars and should be kept in hotel safe deposit boxes. Do not carry large amounts of cash. Violent confrontations and use of firearms are rare, however, and with reasonable precautions and common sense visitors should be able to enjoy a safe visit. Police services are excellent; the number for emergency services in Ireland is 999 or 112. ¶11. (U) Terrorism: Ireland, like the rest of the world, shares an increased threat of terrorist incidents of international origin. Travelers should remain aware of their surroundings and report suspicious people or activities to the police or RSO. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Visit Dublin's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/dublin/index. cfm KENNY