BURMA COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR TERRENCE MARKIN

UNCLAS RANGOON 000257 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OTRA BM SUBJECT: BURMA COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR TERRENCE MARKIN REF: STATE 26531 ¶1. Embassy Rangoon grants country clearance and welcomes the visit of Mr. Terrence C. Markin, Political Officer, to Burma March 15-17, 2006 for consultations. ¶2. Control officer for this visit is Timothy Arnts, Regional Affairs Chief, phone: (95) (1) 379-880 ext. 4219. Additional point of contact is Lisa Larson, P/E OMS, phone (95) (1) 379-880 ext 4245 or email at LarsonLC@state.gov. ¶3. Hotel reservations have been made at Traders Hotel. Traders Hotel address and phone number are No. 223 Sule Pagoda Road, Rangoon, phone: (95) (1) 242-828. Hotel rate is 50 U.S. dollars. ¶4. All visitors, with no exceptions, traveling to Burma must have visas prior to entry into the country. Airport visas are not available. ¶5. Due to USG sanctions, credit cards and travelers checks are not widely accepted in Burma. Therefore post recommends USG travelers bring sufficient USD to cover their expenses. Official USG travelers, with a copy of travel orders, may cash personal checks or traveler checks at the embassy cashier for up to USD 500 per week. Most tourist-oriented shops and restaurants accept USD. Dollars can be exchanged for kyat at authorized exchange locations. The airport departure fee is USD 10. ¶6. Due to recent bombings in Burma, visitors should practice heightened security awareness and avoid crowded public places, including shopping malls and markets, demonstrations, large public gatherings, and any area cordoned off by security forces. USG travelers must assume their actions in Burma are being closely monitored by various means, particularly in hotel lobbies and rooms, when meeting Burmese citizens, and when using the telephone. USG visitors should not travel beyond Rangoon without Embassy Rangoon approval. Local traffic can be confusing and hazardous; post recommends using taxis or rental cars with drivers when possible. Visitors should protect their valuables at all times while in public. Available medical care does not meet U.S. standards. ¶7. In keeping with the July 2003 U.S. sanctions, USG officials traveling on diplomatic passports may import Burmese products into the United States for personal use only. Gifts for other persons or items for resale are prohibited. USG travelers on official or regular passports cannot import any Burmese product into the United States apart from a few specialized exempted items. ¶8. The vast majority of visitors to Burma complete their travel without complication. We hope your visit will be productive and enjoyable. VILLAROSA