COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR GEORGE BICEGO

UNCLAS MASERU 000170 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OTRA AMGT LT SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR GEORGE BICEGO REF: PRETORIA 1314 ¶1. Post welcomes and grants country clearance for M&E Specialist, George Bicego to travel to Lesotho for the period a/o April 6 to a/o April 7, 2006. ¶2. The purpose of the travel is to attend HIV/AIDS USG Task Force meeting. ¶3. Control Officer for your visit is U.S. Embassy HIV/AIDS Coordinator Joan Atkinson, Tel: 266-22-312666, Fax: 266-22-310116; e-mail: atkinsonj@state.gov ¶4. There is no visa requirement to enter Lesotho for American passport holders, including diplomatic, official or tourist. ¶5. Maseru is a critical crime threat post. Armed banditry and petty crimes are common problems and visitors should exercise caution, particularly after dark. The Post Security Officer can provide more detailed information on current conditions and should be consulted upon arrival. ¶6. Post advises that travelers bring U.S. traveler's checks, though credit cards are acceptable at some restaurants and the two main hotels in town, the Lesotho Sun and the Maseru Sun. South African Rand may be used in Lesotho; local currency is the Maloti, which is at one-to-one equivalency with the South African Rand. ¶7. The Embassy Health Unit is staffed by a Registered Nurse and can offer guidance, first aid and evaluation of minor illnesses. The Health Unit stocks a very small supply of medications for acute illnesses. Local pharmacies generally are well-stocked but visitors are advised to bring sufficient supplies of their prescription medicines to cover the length of their stay. ¶8. A small local hospital is available in Maseru for treatment of minor injuries and other illnesses. However, in general, health services in all of Lesotho are considered inadequate. Health care facilities in the larger cities in nearby South Africa are of a level comparable to the U.S. If necessary, patients would be medically evacuated to either Bloemfontein (90 miles away) in the Republic of South Africa or to Pretoria (350 miles). The Regional Medical Office located in Pretoria provides support and assistance for all evacuations. All visitors should ensure that they have medical insurance that covers overseas hospitalizations and that they have private medical evacuation insurance if not covered by their sponsoring agency. ¶9. Lesotho has no malaria. Visitors should have their immunizations up to date and carry their cards with them. Yellow Fever is a standard requirement. Typhoid, Cholera, Rabies, Hepatitis A and B are recommended. If you're planning to travel into the mountains, a Meningococal vaccine is recommended as a precaution against meningitis. ¶10. Each visitor must bring/forward fiscal data to cover costs of the visit. Each agency, organization, or visiting delegation will be charged for the actual costs attributed to their visit. These costs include, but are not limited to: American and LES staff overtime, field travel by Embassy employees, vehicle rentals, long distance telephone calls, equipment rentals, office supplies, representational events and all other costs that are directly attributable to the visit. ¶11. We look forward to your arrival. PERRY