WELCOME MESSAGE FOR CODEL KOLBE

UNCLAS KATHMANDU 002088 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT. FOR SCA/INS, H (SMARCHESE AND CAUSTIN) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OREP AMGT ASEC AFIN NP SUBJECT: WELCOME MESSAGE FOR CODEL KOLBE REF: A. SECSTATE 116910 ¶B. SECSTATE 122034 Welcome to Kathmandu -------------- ¶1. (SBU) Embassy Kathmandu warmly welcomes the August 25-28 visit of Representative Jim Kolbe, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, Export Financing and Related Programs of the House Appropriations Committee (HACFO),along with Representatives Fred Upton, Brian Baird, Ander Crenshaw, and Wayne Gilchrist and their staff to Kathmandu. ¶2. (SBU) Overall control officer for this delegation will be Political/Economic Section Chief Bill Martin. He can be reached 24/7 via the Embassy switchboard at 977-1-441-1179, via mobile phone at 977-98510-27951, at his home at 977-1-472-0759, or via email at MartinWS@state.gov. The Control officer and expediter will meet the delegation upon arrival and provide transportation. ¶3. (SBU) Post has made reservations at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Kathmandu, with a room rate of 80 USD/night for a single and 85 USD/night for a double (within per diem), inclusive of breakfast. There is an additional 13 percent VAT on the room. The phone number at the Hyatt Regency is 977-1-449-1234 and the fax number is 977-1-449-0033. Reservations may be cancelled up to three days prior to occupancy without penalty. ¶4. (SBU) Post has purchased tickets for the delegation from Kathmandu, Nepal to Paro, Bhutan on August 28 and will be prepared to support the delegation's communications, transportation and other administrative needs. ¶5. (SBU) Post is sending updated schedule septel. Visas and Immigration -------------- ¶6. (U) A visa is necessary for all U.S. travelers to Nepal and should be obtained in advance if possible. If traveler is unable to obtain a visa before departure, an airport visa may be obtained upon arrival. A single-entry visa valid for a 60-day stay may be obtained by diplomatic, official, and tourist passport holders at the airport for 30 USD (payable in US currency). To facilitate the issue of an airport visa, traveler will need one passport-size photograph and will be required to complete an application form upon arrival. ¶7. (U) All departing travelers are required to pay an airport embarkation service fee of Nepali Rupees 1,356 (approx. 18 USD) if traveling to India, Pakistan, Bhutan, Maldives, Sri Lanka, or Bangladesh, or Nepali Rupees 1,695 (approx. 23 USD) for all other international destinations. Health -------------- ¶8. (U) Respiratory and intestinal problems are common in Nepal. Visitors must exercise great care in what they eat and drink; food and water-borne diseases are common. All tap water in Kathmandu and most other areas of Nepal is contaminated. Travelers are advised to drink only water that has been filtered and boiled, and to exercise caution with bottled water (it can also be contaminated). Bottled drinks (soft drinks and beer) are generally safe; ice is not. Travelers are advised to use only treated water when brushing their teeth and rinsing out their toothbrush, and to keep their mouths closed when showering. Travelers should avoid eating/drinking off of wet plates, utensils, and cups. It is advised to eat freshly prepared food, i.e., well-cooked and served hot. Cold food, especially dairy products, should be kept refrigerated and served cold. Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs should be well-cooked and served hot. Only fruits and vegetables that have been cooked or peeled should be eaten. Street food should be avoided due to poor sanitation. The following vaccinations are strongly recommended: Hepatitis A; Hepatitis B; Tetanus; Typhoid; Rabies; Japanese B Encephalitis. Malaria prophylaxis is needed only if there will be travel to the Terai, the lowland areas bordering India. Local medical facilities are sub-standard, except for a few outpatient clinics in Kathmandu. Security -------------- ¶9. (SBU) The State Department has classified the crime threat in Kathmandu as high. Pick pocketing, purse snatching and other forms of street crime occur frequently, especially in areas frequented by tourists. Visitors should avoid walking alone after dark, carrying large sums of money, or wearing expensive jewelry. Valuables should be stored in safety-deposit boxes and should not be left unattended in hotel rooms. The Embassy's 24-hour emergency number (441-0531) should be kept handy, particularly when going out into the street. ¶10. (SBU) Since February 1996, Nepal has suffered a Maoist insurgency. While the Maoists have targeted primarily Nepalese Government and business facilities, there have been a number of attacks against organizations and companies associated with foreign interests. Large demonstrations in Kathmandu and elsewhere in Nepal often occur without notice. Relatively high levels of security exist inside the Kathmandu Valley, political agitation by students and party activists notwithstanding. There currently is a cease-fire between the government and the Maoists, but violence and clashes between Maoist and security forces are still possible. All U.S. Government personnel and contractors wishing to travel outside the Kathmandu Valley for official or personal reasons must submit a travel request through their sponsoring office to the RSO at least two working days before said travel; travel will be approved on a case-by-case basis, depending on the most recent security information available. For certain districts, travel will be during daylight hours and for official business only. It is required that travelers contact the RSO again for updated travel information the day before undertaking any travel outside the Kathmandu Valley. Weather -------------- ¶11. (U) During the months of June through mid-September, the Kathmandu Valley is wet with monsoon rains; temperatures rarely exceed 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Rain showers occur almost daily and tend to fall in the afternoon. The temperature during the day ranges from 26 to 30 Celsius (78-86 degrees Fahrenheit). At night, the temperature cools down to about 18 to 21 Celsius (64 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit). ¶12. (U) We look forward to seeing you in Kathmandu. MORIARTY