KUWAIT COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR ROBERT KOEPCKE

UNCLAS KUWAIT 004218 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: APER OTRA KU COUNTRY CLEARANCE SUBJECT: KUWAIT COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR ROBERT KOEPCKE REF: BAGHDAD 003974 ¶1. Embassy Kuwait welcomes and hereby grants country clearance for Robert Koepcke to travel to post o/a October 29-November 2, 2006. ¶2. This clearance is not/not valid for entry into Iraq; you must apply for Iraq clearance through Embassy Baghdad. ¶3. Per reftel, Post has arranged accommodation and local transportation. A hotel reservation has been at the Sheraton hotel at a rate of approximately USD 267 (single room/breakfast included). The per diem rate for Kuwait is USD 260 plus M&IE of USD 96 for a total of USD 356. The Sheraton telephone number is (965) 835-555 (there is no final digit in this phone number, it is correct as typed); fax number (965) 244-8035 Embassy point of contact is: Chris Green, Economic Officer Office- 965-259-1373 Cell ) 965-902-5940 Fax ) 965-259-1051 Unclass E-Mail: greencr@state.gov SIPDIS ¶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 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. ¶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 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. 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 repellents, 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 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. ¶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 (in summer) or EST plus 8 hours (in winter). Tueller