Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KATHMANDU2638
2006-09-30 09:56:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Kathmandu
Cable title:  

COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR SCA PDAS STEVEN R. MANN

Tags:  OTRA IN NP 
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VZCZCXYZ0001
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHKT #2638/01 2730956
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 300956Z SEP 06
FM AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU
TO RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI IMMEDIATE 0301
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3331
INFO RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 4462
UNCLAS KATHMANDU 002638 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OTRA IN NP
SUBJECT: 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.

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MORIARTY