SPAIN COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR CODEL HASTINGS

UNCLAS MADRID 000933 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OTRA AMGT OREP AFIN OSCE SP SUBJECT: SPAIN COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR CODEL HASTINGS REF: STATE 58946 ¶1. Embassy warmly welcomes and grants country clearance to Rep. Alcee Hastings, President, Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA) and Ms. Vanessa Griddine, Administrative Assistant from April 18 to 20, 2006. The purpose of the visit is to attend meetings in conjunction with Rep. Hastings' capacity as President of the OSCE PA. ¶2. Hotel reservations have been made at the Westin Palace. Timothy Dougherty is the control officer and he will meet and greet Rep. Hastings at the airport. Mr. Dougherty's contact information is: (34)91-587-2294 office; (34)628-718-747 mobile; and e-mail is DoughertyTP@state.gov. ¶3. Visitors are reminded that bearers of diplomatic and official passports coming to Spain on official business need to obtain a Spanish visa prior to arrival to Spain. ¶4. THREAT ASSESSMENT: In general, Spain is safe. However, Madrid, Barcelona and other large cities in Spain -- including resort/convention areas such as Benidorm -- attract a large number of criminals and pickpockets andfrequent incidents of crime of opportunity against the unwary do occur. Carry only essential items including a photocopy of your passport's photo page. Visitors can protect themselves against crime by being street-smart, alert and aware of their surroundings. In the event you are victimized by crime, or experience any security-related incident, please contact the Embassy's Regional Security Office at 91-587-2550 or after hours at 91-587-2355. Official visitors to the Embassy in Madrid or the Consulate General in Barcelona are encouraged to receive a security briefing from the RSO office at their earliest convenience. Additional information regarding safety and security in Spain is available on the U.S. Department of State's website (www.embusa.es). Travelers are encouraged to review the most recent Worldwide Caution issued by the Department of State. As the Department of State continues to develop information on any potential security threats to Americans overseas, it shares credible threat information through its Consular Information Program documents, available on the Internet at http://travel/state.gov. In addition to information on the Internet, U.S. travelers can hear recorded information by calling the Department of State in Washington, D.C. at 202-647-5225 from their touch-tone telephone, or receive information by automated telefax by dialing 202-647-3000 from their fax machine. AGUIRRE