PORTUGAL: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR DHS/CSI

UNCLAS LISBON 001677

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

MADRID FOR DHS/ICE ATTACHE - T.D.'ALLESSIO
DEPT FOR PORTUGUESE DESK OFFICER - KEVIN OPSTRUP
CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL
AFFAIRS FOR EUROPEAN DESK OFFICER - LISA WAINWRIGHT

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EWWT OTRA PO
SUBJECT: PORTUGAL: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR DHS/CSI
AGENT ORLANDO BAEZ

REF: US CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION WASHINGTON DC

012237Z AUG 06


1. Embassy Lisbon warmly welcomes and grants country
clearance for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Special Agent
Orlando Baez, traveling to Lisbon, Portugal from August 22 -
November 24, 2006. Special Agent Baez will be assigned to the
Container Security Initiative Office in Lisbon on TDY status.


2. Point of contact in Lisbon is Political/Economic Officer
Tiffany McGriff.

CONTACT INFO
--------------
OFC : 351-21-770-2575
FAX : 351-21-726-6547
CELL: 351-91-959-4823
E-MAIL: McGriffTL@state.gov


3. The U.S. Embassy in Lisbon is located at Avenida das
Forcas Armadas, Apartado 43033, telephone: 351-21-727-3300.
Emergencies and calls after normal business hours may be
directed to Post One: 351-21-770-2222.


4. TRAVEL TIPS: Taxis are relatively inexpensive. Be sure
to ask for a receipt (factura). A "taxi voucher" service is
available at the Lisbon airport to arriving passengers.
Vouchers are on sale at the Turismo de Lisboa counter located
in the terminal. The cost of the voucher depends on the
distance of the trip and/or length of time, as well as the
type of service required. Fares should not be more than
Euros 15.00 from the airport to major hotels in the city.


5. It is possible to use most ATM cards in Multibanco teller
machines located throughout Portugal. Although Multibanco
does not assess a service charge for this transaction, normal
service charges assessed by your own bank will apply. USD
1.00 equals approximately Euro 0.78. The ATM machine will
automatically do the exchange.


6. THREAT ASSESSMENT: In light of the current worldwide
security situation, all Americans are reminded that it is
more important than ever to maintain a high level of
vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their
security awareness. Be sure to vary your times and routes
and avoid patterns in your activities. There are no known
specific and credible threats to include violent
demonstrations, terrorist or criminal acts that would affect
your visit. Personnel under the Chief of Mission's authority
will be notified of any security advisories issued during the
visit. While in Portugal, if you notice any suspicious
activity or have any security concerns, the Embassy's
Regional Security Officer (RSO) should be notified as soon as
possible. The RSO holds a weekly briefing every Thursday at
9:00. It is your responsibility to contact the Regional
Security Office to sign-up.


7. Portugal has a relatively low amount of street crime.
Violent criminal confrontations and the use of weapons are
rare. Burglars and pickpockets are active and visitors are
encouraged to safeguard valuables and not carry large amounts
of cash or unneeded credit cards. Visitors should also be
very careful on crowded streets, in entertainment areas,
department stores, restaurants or crowded public
transportation. Car crime, such as auto thefts and thefts
from vehicles is low. Travelers are warned not to leave
valuables in hotel rooms. Eastern European organized crime
groups are active in Portugal, but mainly target the
immigrant populations. The police and other emergency
services in Portugal are adequate. Threat information
through the Consular Information Program is available on the
Internet at http://travel.state.gov. In addition to
information on the Internet, U.S. travelers may hear recorded
information by calling the Department of State in Washington,
DC at (202) 647-5225 from their touchtone telephone, or
receive information by automated telefax by dialing (202)
647-3300 from their fax machine.
O'Neal