COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR EPA OFFICIAL ROGER

UNCLAS KINGSTON 001044 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR WHA/CAR (BENT) DEPT PLEASE PASS EPA/OIA (CHILL-MACON) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OTRA SENV KSCA TPHY EPA JM SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR EPA OFFICIAL ROGER GORKE REF: STATE 74990 ¶1. Embassy Kingston grants country clearance to EPA Office of International Affairs official Roger Gorke to travel to Kingston May 30 to June 2, 2006, to attend a water safety plan exercise in Spanish Town, Jamaica. Embassy point of contact is Economic Officer John Morgan who can be reached at (w) 876-935-6028. ¶2. Embassy understands that no further assistance is requested; however, post strongly recommends that Gorke receive a threat-specific briefing on Spanish Town from the Regional Security Office on arrival in Jamaica. Spanish Town is plagued by drug and gang-related violence, which has been on the increase in recent weeks. ¶3. Visitors traveling to Jamaica for periods less than two weeks do not require a visa. ¶4. There has been no specific threat directed against official American visitors or American tourists who visit Jamaica. However, Jamaica has been designated a high threat country because of street crime. It is recommended that caution be exercised while traveling in Kingston. Walking after dark is not advised. Care should be taken if driving at night. Overall, the same level of awareness should be exercised as in a similar sized city in the United States. ¶5. Travelers' checks can be exchanged for Jamaican dollars at a local bank located near the Embassy. ATM machines are also available. VALDEZ