CORRECTED COPY- Country Clearance for Commercial Officer

UNCLAS KUWAIT 003236

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

COMMERCE FOR 3131/ITA/USFCS/ANESA/OIO/RD

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: BEXPASECBMGTOTRASFIZKU COUNTRY CLEARANCE

SUBJECT: CORRECTED COPY- Country Clearance for Commercial Officer
Mitch Larsen

REF: USDOC 4365


1. Embassy Kuwait welcomes and hereby grants country clearance for
Commercial Officer Mitch Larsen to travel to Kuwait from August 17
to August 19, 2006.


2. CORRECTION: Embassy point of contact is:

Irma La Pore
Office- 965/259-1001 x 1468
Direct - 965/259-1468
Cell - 965/936-9905
Fax - 965/259-1271
Unclassified E-Mail: irma.lapore@mail.doc.gov

SIPDIS


3. CORRECTION: Traveler has booked billeting and milair to Baghdad
via the Federal Deployment Center (FDC) at the Hilton. Upon arrival,
traveler should go the FDC/KBR office at the commercial airport,
located outside the side door of the arrivals hall (adjacent to the
grocery store). He can then catch the shuttle to the FDC at the
Hilton.


4. Following is post's standard guidance for visitors to
Kuwait: Kuwait now issues single-entry visas to American citizens
on arrival, upon presentation of a passport. There is a processing
fee of 2 KD for each visa issued. The fee may be paid either in KD
or USD (approximately 7 USD). Post strongly advises travelers to
carry some documentation on the purpose of their visit. Passengers
arriving on other than commercial flights should anticipate extra

delays, because immigration services are not available on the
military side of the airfield and passports have to be carried to a
different site at the airport for processing. Airport visas are
valid for 90 days after arrival; anyone staying beyond this period
must obtain an extension, which should be requested 2 weeks prior to
expiration. Anyone departing Kuwait who has overstayed the visa
will be charged a fine of KD 10 (US$33.50) per day at the airport.
All travelers planning to visit Iraq should make sure that they
obtain exit/entry stamps for each transit through Kuwait, and be
aware that they will need to obtain a new Kuwaiti visa upon return,
even after a daytrip to Baghdad. Failure to do so can result in
heavy fines. If possible, travelers should try to obtain a
multiple-entry visa before arriving in Kuwait.


5. Visitors are reminded that the importation of alcohol, pork
products, personal firearms, and any suggestive/pornographic
materials (videotapes, magazines or books) is strictly prohibited by
Kuwaiti law. Kuwait is still clearing mines and munitions. Visitors
must remain on major paved roads when traveling in Kuwait. Travel
North of Jahra toward the Iraqi-Kuwaiti border is not authorized
without approval from the embassy and an appropriate escort.


6. Threat Assessment: Kuwait is a high-threat post and the military
threatcon is currently Charlie. We have increased security
precautions at official U.S. installations in Kuwait and recommend
that all Americans in Kuwait remain alert to their surroundings and
review their personal security practices.


7. Fiscal Data (action request): Each visitor to Embassy Kuwait must
bring or forward fiscal data to cover costs incurred during the
visit. Each agency, organization, delegation or visiting individual
will be charged for all costs attributed to their visit. These costs
include, but not limited to: LES and American staff overtime,
vehicle and equipment rental, office and medical supplies, telephone
calls, expeditor services, airport transportation and other mileage
driven, and representational events. If fiscal data on visitor's
travel authorization is to be used for this purpose, it must be
clearly spelled out and sufficient funding must be provided.


8. Health Unit: All TDY or PCS personnel that would like to be
vaccinated against smallpox should get the vaccine in M/MED in
Washington before coming to post. The smallpox vaccine for
pre-exposure vaccination is not available at post. There are
prepositioned doses of smallpox vaccine at post to be used only if
an actual exposure occurs. The smallpox vaccine is being offered to
personnel that are coming to work at Embassy Kuwait as a strictly
voluntary protection in case of a possible biological attack.


9. Health Advisory for Kuwait: April through October is the hot
season in Kuwait. Temperatures reach 120?-140?F in summer. Caution
should be taken to prevent dehydration and heat exhaustion by 1)
drinking plenty of fluids and 2) staying indoors, especially during
peak temperature hours of 12:00-15:00. Low humidity coupled with
high temperatures creates excessive moisture loss from evaporation.
It is necessary to drink 2-4 quarts of water daily to prevent
dehydration.

Visitors in November through March can expect cold winds and at
times heavy rains. Light winter clothing is suitable for Kuwait. At

this time allergies and colds are more common. Persons traveling to
the area are advised to have over-the-counter medications, such as
Tylenol, Ibuprofen, cold and cough medications with them for
self-treatment.


10. Health Advisory for Iraq: Remember to bring adequate
medications and to be current on vaccines as getting medical
supplies in Iraq has been difficult. Consistent with US military
policy since January 2005, and having no cases of malaria reported
to date in US Embassy personnel, malaria prophylaxis is not
routinely recommended for Iraq. Vivax malaria historically exists in
the northern provinces of Duhok, Erbil, Ninawa, Sulaimaniya, Tamim
(May-October),and in the south around Basrah (April-November).
There is no risk in Baghdad. Individuals that travel to those areas
need to continue to check current embassy recommendations. Malaria
must be a consideration in anyone with a fever who has traveled to
those areas. To protect against insect bites, use insect
repellants, long clothing and other measures to prevent insect
bites.


11. CAA Access: Visitors who need unescorted access into secure
areas of the mission must slug cables to the attention of the RSO,
and include the level of their clearance. The cable should include
Social Security Number, and the name of the agency granting the
clearance. Cables should include the ASEC tag to ensure
distribution to the RSO office and the Marine Security guard at post
one.


12. Computer and Electronics usage: Sensitive military has been
located recently on business center computers at local hotels in
Kuwait City. All U.S. Government personnel and contractors must
remember that it is their responsibility to observe good computer
and information security practices. Information processed on
computers in hotel business centers, through email correspondence or
document creation, is highly exploitable. Public computers located
in hotel business centers, Internet cafes, airport lounges, etc.
should never be used to process, store or disseminate sensitive
information. Compromise of sensitive government or military
information can result in serious damage to national security.
Compromises of sensitive personal data can result in significant
personal and financial hardship. Random checks are conducted by
Embassy personnel on public PC's. Breaches on COMPUSEC will result
in the violator receiving security infractions and/or security
violations. Inter-agency security standards prohibit the
introduction or use of non-USG owned computer hardware and software
at all USG diplomatic facilities. Cell phones, palm pilots, radios
and other convenience electronics are prohibited in all secure areas
of the mission.


13. Embassy Kuwait's normal workweek is Saturday through Wednesday.
Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. switchboard number is (965)
259-1001, IVG: 4950000. The after hours number which rings at Marine
Guard post one is (965) 538-2098.


14. The time difference with the East Coast of the United States is
EDT plus 7 hours.

TUELLER