GUYANA COUNTRY CLEARANCE APPROVAL FOR KEVIN W.

UNCLAS GEORGETOWN 000269 SIPDIS STATE FOR DS/IP/WHA PORT OF SPAIN FOR LEGATT PARIS FOR LEGATT FBI HEADQUARTERS, WDC, FOR OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS, A/UC SCHULTZ. CARACAS FOR LEGATT E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC SUBJECT: GUYANA COUNTRY CLEARANCE APPROVAL FOR KEVIN W. CURRIER, LEGAL ATTACHE, CARACAS, VENEZUELA TO TRAVEL TO GEORGETOWN GUYANA TO MEET WITH EMBASSY AND HOST COUNTRY OFFICIALS ON 03/23/06 - 03/25/06. REF: CARACAS 725. ¶1. Post welcomes Kevin W. Currier, Legal Attache from Caracas, Venezuela and grants Country Clearance for routine visits to territories covered by Legat from Caracas to meet with Embassy and Host Country Officials on 03/23/06 - 03/25/06. ¶2. Hotel reservations will are confirmed at the Le Meridien Pegasus Hotel within walking distance of the U.S. Embassy) as requested, confirmation number is #199. The going rate is $130.00 + taxes per night. Kevin Currier will be met at the airport and transported to the hotel by Embassy vehicle and driver. ¶3. Due to security considerations, Embassy personnel utilize official Embassy transportation when traveling to and from the international airport between the hours of 6:00 pm - 6:00 am. ¶4. The control officer is Brandon Lee, Regional Security Officer. The RSO can be contacted on 592-225-4900 ext. 245 (Embassy),or 592-623-9779 (cell). Outside of normal business hours, the Embassy Duty Officer can be reached on 592-226-2614, 226-8298 or 227-7869. The Embassy's business hours are Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Embassy is closed on local and American holidays. ¶5. Travelers are advised to bring a sufficient amount of cash or travelers checks to cover expenses while here. The Embassy will cash personal checks for a limited amount. The hotel will accept VISA, Diners and American Express credit cards. Some restaurants will also accept credit cards, but most businesses do not. ¶6. U.S. Passport holders (including Diplomatic, Official and Service passports) no longer require a Guyanese Visa to visit Guyana. ¶7. Threat assessment: Visitors are reminded that crime is a problem in Georgetown, especially at night in major business and shopping districts. Pick pocketing and robbery are common in Georgetown. Foreigners may be perceived as wealthy individuals, which make them targets for robbery, theft and kidnapping for ransom. In addition, Guyana has suffered from occasional political and labor unrest. Although such demonstrations are not directed at U.S. citizens, we advise visitors to be vigilant to changes in the security situation and to maintain a low profile. ¶8. Official visitors are required to receive a security briefing from the RSO shortly after arrival at post if their stay is longer than 24 hours. Please note that official travelers on temporary duty, including non-state personnel, must coordinate the transport of official unclassified portable computers that will be used within SIPDIS USG controlled access facilities with the RSO and ISSO. Travel advisories for Guyana can be found at www.state.gov. THOMAS