COUNTRY CLEARANCE APPROVAL - GEORGETOWN - MCNEIR

UNCLAS GEORGETOWN 000048 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAIR ASEC OTRA GY SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE APPROVAL - GEORGETOWN - MCNEIR REF: TSA MIAMI FAX 11 JAN 2006 ¶1. Post welcomes Transportation Security Administration Representative Loretta McNeir from January 26 until January 31, 2006 to participate in an assessment of security conditions at Cheddi Jagan International Airport and grants country clearance. ¶2. Per the travelers' request, hotel reservations are confirmed at the Le Meridien Pegasus hotel, phone 592-225-7943. Rate is $130 per night plus a 10% tax. Confirmation number is 336. The hotel will accept a Master Card. Visitor will be met at the airport and transported to the hotel by an Embassy driver on arrival. Due to security considerations, Embassy personnel utilize official Embassy vehicles for travel to and from the international airport during the hours of 6:00p.m. - 6:00a.m. As the airport is a considerable distance from Georgetown, Post requests the traveler to reimburse the cost of transportation to the embassy at a rate of USD40 each way. ¶3. Control officer is Ed Luchessi, Economic/Commercial Officer, telephone 592-225-4900 ext. 220, IVG 747-0220, fax 592-225-8497. Control officer's home number is 592-220-3203, cell phone 592-640- 3835, e-mail address is LuchessiEP@state.gov. The Embassy's business hours are Monday-Friday from 7:30am to 4:00pm. The Embassy is closed on local and American holidays. ¶4. Travelers are advised to bring a sufficient amount of cash or travelers checks to cover expenses while here. The Embassy will cash personal checks only for a limited amount. The Pegasus Hotel will accept Visa, Master Card, and American Express credit cards. Some restaurants will also accept credit cards, although most businesses do not. ¶5. U. S. passport holders (including diplomatic, official, and service passports) do not require a visa to visit Guyana. ¶6. Threat assessment: Visitors are reminded that crime is a problem in Georgetown, especially after dark, in major business and shopping districts. Pick pocketing and robbery are common in Georgetown. Foreigners may be perceived as wealthy individuals, which may 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, maintain a low profile, and be prepared for the unexpected. The Consular information sheet for Guyana can be accessed at www.state.gov or http://georgetown.usembassy.gov. ¶7. If you are planning on bringing a personal computer to Post the following is taken from 03 STATE 286036: a. Official travelers on temporary duty, including non-state personnel, must coordinate the transport of official unclassified portable computers that will be used within USG controlled access facilities with the RSO and ISSO. b. Unclassified portable computers intended for use within the CAA on a long-term basis (over 30 days),must be shipped via professional or non-pro Diplomatic courier (classified pouch). c. An official traveler can personally transport a USG portable computer to post only under the following conditions: - The official traveler must have at least a secret level security clearance; - The official traveler will be on temporary duty at the Embassy or Consulate for a period not to exceed 30 days; - The portable computer must have been transported under the continuous personal control of the official traveler; - Under no circumstances may the computer have been left unattended outside of the CAA or in a public area, nor should it be checked in as luggage on public transport; and - All "wireless" and audio features on the portable computer must be disabled or de-installed, to include infrared ports and sound card, before entering the CAA, regardless of mode of transport. ¶8. Official visitors are required to receive a security briefing from the RSO shortly after arrival at post. BULLEN