COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR SCA PDAS STEVEN R. MANN

UNCLAS KATHMANDU 002638 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OTRA IN NP SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR SCA PDAS STEVEN R. MANN ¶1. Embassy Kathmandu warmly welcomes SCA PDAS Steven R. Mann to Nepal from October 3-6, 2006, for meetings with embassy and host government officials. Country clearance is hereby granted for travel to and within the Kathmandu Valley. For the traveler's safety, you should review the security information below, particularly regarding curfews and separate clearance procedures for any proposed travel outside the Kathmandu Valley. Revocation -------------- ¶2. The State Department or Embassy Kathmandu can revoke this country clearance at any time. Revocation means the traveler cannot commence travel, must turn around and return to the U.S. or duty station while en-route, or must depart Nepal before completion of the mission. Point of Contact -------------- ¶3. Point of Contact for this visit is Bill Martin, Political/Economic Chief, who may be reached by telephone at (977) 1-441-1179 ext. 4483 or by e-mail at MartinWS@state.gov. In the event of an emergency, call Post One at (977) 1-441-0531. (Note: 977 is the country code for Nepal and 1 is the city code for Kathmandu). Visas and Immigration -------------- ¶4. (A) 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 US Dollars 30 (thirty) payable in US currency. If a visa is required for longer than a 60-day stay, a fee of US Dollars 50 (fifty) for each additional month will be charged. 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. (B) All departing travelers are required to pay an airport embarkation service fee of Nepali Rupees 1356 if traveling to India, Pakistan, Bhutan, Maldives, Sri Lanka, or Bangladesh, or Nepali rupees 1695 for all other international destinations. Transportation -------------- ¶5. An Embassy driver and an expeditor will meet Mr. Mann at the airport. Accommodation -------------- ¶6. Reservations have been confirmed at the Radisson Hotel for Mr. Mann. The phone number for the Radisson is (977) 1-441-1818 and the fax number is (977) 1-441-1720. The daily rate is USD 85 and includes breakfast and all taxes. Kathmandu's USG per diem is USD 96 for lodging and USD 61 for meals and incidental expenses. Travel Funds -------------- ¶7. Post supports Department policy requiring travel advances to be obtained from the traveler's sponsoring office/post. Nepal is a cash-only post for travel purposes except for some hotels where credit cards are accepted. Health -------------- ¶8. In order to have access to the Embassy Health Unit, Mr. Mann must present State Department Medical Clearance and proof of health insurance coverage upon arrival. ¶9. 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 those with 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, with except for a few outpatient clinics in Kathmandu. Security -------------- ¶10. (A) 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. (B) 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 and 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. (C) Laptops and cameras are not allowed in the Embassy without prior RSO approval. Weather -------------- ¶11. (A) October is beautifully warm, clear and dry during the day, when temperatures range from 24 to 28 Celsius (75 to 83 degrees Fahrenheit). During the evening, the temperature drops to around 9 to 14 Celsius (48 to 58 degrees Fahrenheit). (B) November days are beautifully clear and dry; evenings are considerably cooler - temperatures range from 4 to 10 Celsius (39 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit during the night. Daytime temperatures range from 22 to 25 Celsius (66 to 73 degrees Fahrenheit). (C) December days are sunny, but chilly in the mornings and evenings. It is best to dress in layers, as the temperature in most buildings is often lower than that outside. Daytime temperatures range from 19 to 22 Celsius (66 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit). Nighttime temperatures range from 3 to 5 Celsius (38 to 41 degrees Fahrenheit). (D) January is crisp and sunny during the day and cold at night. The temperature inside most buildings is generally much lower than outside, so dressing in layers is recommended. Daytime temperatures range from 12 to 20 Celsius (62 to 67 degrees Fahrenheit); nighttime temperatures range from 1 to 3 Celsius (34 to 37 degrees Fahrenheit). Kathmandu has had no snow since 1939. Some years see rain for one or more days during January, which keeps the temperatures very low. (E) February is sunny, dry and increasingly warm. Dressing in layers is recommended, as inside most buildings the temperature is generally much lower than outside. Daytime temperatures range from 20 to 22 Celsius (68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit); nighttime temperatures are between 2 and 5 Celsius (35 to 41 degrees Fahrenheit). Some years see rain for one or more days during February, which keeps the temperatures very low. (F) March daytime temperatures range from 22 to 25 Celsius (66 to 73 degrees Fahrenheit) and at night from 4 to 10 Celsius (39 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit). Rain, and occasionally thunderstorms bringing high winds, can occur in March. Temperatures remain low during rainy days. MORIARTY MORIARTY