COUNTRY CLEARANCE REQUEST FOR MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 RABAT 001676 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KMCA KPAO AFIN EAID ECON OTRA SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE REQUEST FOR MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORPORATION (MCC) VISIT TO MOROCCO (LEVY, ISMAIL, CLARKE, PICHA, HOBBS, PLUSQUELLEC) REF: A. CORP 485 ¶B. EMAIL FROM KATE RISTOPH ¶1. Embassy Rabat warmly welcomes and grants country clearance to Brian Levy, Magda Ismail, Steven Clarke, David Picha, Herve Plusquellec and Samuel Hobbs, of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) to travel to Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech, Ourzazate, and Fes, Morocco September 13 - October 8, 2006 for the purpose of conducting due diligence work on arboriculture projects. ¶2. Embassy point of contact for the visit is Economic Counselor Stuart Smith Tel: 037-668-132 Cell: 061-14-19-52 email: SmithSM2@state.gov ¶3. Hotel accommodations have been made for the following travelers at the Tour Hassan in Rabat within per diem as requested in reftel A: Brain Levy, September 13-18 Steven Clarke, September 13-18 David Picha, September 16-18 Magda Ismail, September 17-18 Samuel Hobbs, September 27 - October 5 ¶4. All other Hotel requests (reftel B) have been requested but not confirmed. Post will confirm reservations and hotel names via email soonest. ¶5. Conference room at the Tour Hassan in Rabat from October 2-4, 2006 has been requested (reftel B) but not confirmed. Post will advise soonest via email. ¶6. Transportation from Casablanca airport to the Tour Hassan in Rabat have been procured per reftel A, all subsequent requests for transportation in reftel B have been requested but not confirmed. Post will confirm reftel B requests via email. ¶7. Interpreters have been procured for October 2-3, 2006 as requested in reftel. ¶8. ICASS Policy: ¶A. Due to ICASS funding reductions, we regret that Post has had to curtail services and pass the cost of select services through direct charging of non-ICASS contributors visiting Post through direct charging. Therefore we request that each visitor, regardless of length of stay, bring/forward fiscal data to pay for direct costs of the visit and share copies with their control officer and FMO. Each agency, organization, or visiting delegation will be charged for the actual costs attributed to their visit. Direct charge costs include, but are not limited to: American and LES staff overtime (e.g., expediter, airport pick-up and drop-off, 
accommodation exchange, representational event support), field travel-lodging and M&IE by Embassy employees, vehicle rentals, long distance telephone calls, equipment rentals, office supplies and all other costs that are directly attributable to visitor needs. Please note that all visitors should be prepared to be charged approximately ninety-five dollars (subject to periodic adjustment) for airport pick-ups and drop-offs that occur after normal business hours. ¶B. In accordance with worldwide ICASS policy, TDYers over thirty (30) days, are subject to a charge for ICASS support services. If your sponsoring agency is not signed up for ICASS services at post, please be prepared to sign an MOU for ICASS support services upon arrival. The agency should provide post with written communication, generated by the traveler's headquarters, that confirms the agency will pay ICASS charges for the TDYer and provides the agency ICASS billing code to which TDY support charges should be applied. ¶C. Where travel is urgent, the TDYers should bring this documentation with them to ensure there are no interruptions in the provision of service. We regret that due to budget restraints, Post will not provide service to a TDYer staying in excess of thirty days without provision of this documentation. We thank you in advance for your understanding. ¶9. Security Concerns ¶A. Mandatory personal security training (ref: 04 state 066580, state 93760 and FSI 1421): Effective January 1, 2005, American personnel requesting country clearance to perform extended temporary duty (TDY RABAT 00001676 002 OF 003 defined as more than 30 days) at overseas locations must complete appropriate overseas personal security training ("safe" course). This safe course requirement does not apply to career state department Foreign Service employees. It does apply to state department civil service employees, employees of other USG agencies and contractors. ¶B. Terrorism: A series of terrorist bombings took place in Casablanca on May 16, 2003. Additional attacks have been thwarted by the vigorous efforts of Moroccan law enforcement since then. Although U.S. government facilities were not the target of the Casablanca attacks (and no Americans were killed or injured),the potential for violence against American interests and citizens remains high in Morocco. Establishments which are readily identifiable with the United States are potential targets for attacks. these may include facilities where us citizens and other foreigners congregate, including clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools, hotels, movie theaters and public areas. Such targets may also include establishments where activities occur that may offend religious sensitivities, such as casinos or places where alcoholic beverages are sold or consumed. While in Morocco it is important to be vigilant to one's surroundings, and to maintain a low profile. Travelers should stay abreast of recent developments within country and read the latest state department consular information sheet covering travel to Morocco and any current worldwide caution messages about travel to the Middle East and North Africa before arrival in country. The mission takes all information concerning terrorist incidents and terrorism very seriously. The mission investigates all incidents fully in conjunction with Moroccan authorities. All travelers are expected to report any suspicious incidents or information to the RSO immediately, 24 hours a day, at tel. 037-76-96-39. ¶C. Crime: The threat level for crime in Rabat has been designated "medium." Crimes ranging from aggressive panhandling, pick pocketing, purse snatching, theft from vehicles, and harassment of women occur periodically. Attempted break-ins of mission residences by burglars have occurred, but in general crime in Morocco tends to be non-violent. Most criminals look for opportunities to steal by stealth rather than confrontation but there are exceptions. Women walking alone in certain areas of cities and rural areas are particularly vulnerable to verbal harassment from young men. Women are advised to travel with a companion or in a group when possible and to ignore any harassment. Some women who have responded to verbal harassment have come under physical attack. If physical provocation occurs, visitors are urged not to resist in order to avoid injury and to report the incident to the regional security officer immediately (see telephone number above). Travelers should be alert for pickpockets and purse-snatchers, especially in outdoor shopping areas, tourist attractions, and in transportation centers. Taxis and trains in Morocco are relatively safe, city buses are not considered safe. Avoid carrying large sums of cash, and credit cards should be secured in the safe deposit box at your hotel. In the event you are victimized by crime, or an attempted crime, or experience any security-related incident during your stay in Morocco, please report the incident to the RSO as soon as possible. ¶D. Demonstrations/Harassment: When regional tensions increase many diplomatic missions, including ours, from time to time receive threatening phone calls, e-mails and harassing letters/faxes. Should you receive any of these while at post, contact marine post one and/or the RSO immediately. Further, the mission has received several white powder letters through the local mail. Please note: mission policy strictly prohibits any unopened mail, packages or boxes from being brought into any facility prior to screening by the embassy and consulate mailroom staff. There are no exceptions to this policy and all personnel are expected to abide by it rigidly for the protection of the mission and its personnel. Finally, demonstrations do occur with some frequency in Morocco during periods of heightened tension. Occasionally, a few of these demonstrations have been anti-American/western with a small number of these resulting in some minor destruction of personal and public property. Travelers should be cognizant of the current levels of tension in the region, always be alert to their surroundings and avoid large RABAT 00001676 003 OF 003 crowds. Demonstrations and suspicious incidents should be immediately reported to the marine security guard (post 1) and the RSO. ¶E. Electronic Devices: Privately owned laptops, PSC, cellular telephones, cameras and similar devices are strictly prohibited in controlled access areas (CAA's) of the chancery and consulate. Travelers with USG unclassified and classified laptop/notebook computers must notify the information management officer (IMO) through marine post one or the RSO before bringing these machines into the embassy or consulate. Questions concerning other types of electronic devices must be directed to either the IMO or the RSO. ¶F. Cultural Awareness: Travelers need to be cognizant of the fact that Morocco is an Islamic country despite the appearance of some aspects of western culture. Generally, women should not travel alone and should dress conservatively for all occasions to avoid harassment from young men in public or offending Moroccan interlocutors during social occasions. Men should not wear ostentatious apparel that draws attention. The purchase and consumption of alcohol is permitted in Morocco but Islamic conservatives in Moroccan society are fundamentally against its sale or use. Travelers should let common sense prevail and only buy or consume alcohol in shops, restaurants and hotels where it is readily available and permitted. ¶G. Post Specific Security Briefings: Travelers planning to stay in Morocco 14 days or longer should request that their sponsoring office schedule a security briefing for them with the RSO. ****************************************** Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website; http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat ****************************************** RILEY