UNCLAS KUWAIT 003746

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KU QA OTRA COUNTRY CLEARANCE
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR OPIC OFFICIALS TAN
AND RIVERA

REF: STATE 154200


1. Embassy Kuwait welcomes and hereby grants country
clearance to Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC)
officials Geoffrey Tan and Nancy Rivera. We understand that
Tan and Rivera will visit Kuwait between September 19-28 for
meetings and a due diligence review of Kuwait Gulf Links
Ports International, the main strategic sponsor and developer
of the proposed Damietta Port project in Egypt.


2. Per reftel, travelers will arrange their own accomodation
at the JW Marriott and transportation to and from the
airport. Embassy point of contact is:
Willeah Cato, Economic Officer
Office - 965-259-1287
Direct ) 965-259-1287
Cell ) 965-786-1723
Fax ) 965-259-1051
Unclass E-Mail: catowe@state.gov

SIPDIS


3. 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 only 90 days after arrival; anyone staying
beyond this period must obtain an extension, which should be
requested 10 days prior to expiration. Anyone departing
Kuwait who has overstayed the visa will be charged a fine at
the airport 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.


4. 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.


5. Holy Month of Ramadan: Your visit takes place during the
Holy Month of Ramadan, which will be observed o/a September
23 through October 21/22, 2006. It is against the law in
Kuwait for anyone to eat, drink or smoke in public, including
inside vehicles, between the hours of sunrise and sunset.
Business slows down for this month and government offices, as
well as private businesses, work shorter hours. Muslims must
work a ful day without so much as a sip of water. The result
is that people may become tired, tense and easliy irritated
during the normal workday, especially during the later weeks
of Ramadan. One must be extra alert when driving,
particularly during the late afternoon when many will be
rushing home to break the fast.


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 are
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 120-140F 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.


10. 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.


11. Computer and Electronics usage: Sensitive military
information 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
lunges, 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 in 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.


12. 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.


13. The time difference with the East Coast of the United
States is EDT plus 7 hours (in summer) or EST plus 8 hours
(in winter).

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For more Embassy Kuwait reporting, see:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/index. cfm

Or Visit Embassy Kuwait's Classified Website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/
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LeBaron