COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR DAVID LINDWALL, WHA A/DAS

UNCLAS SAN JOSE 000092 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OTRA CS SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR DAVID LINDWALL, WHA A/DAS REF: SECSTATE 6138 ¶1. Embassy San Jose warmly welcomes and is pleased to grant country clearance for David Lindwall, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs, who will be in SIPDIS Costa Rica from January 16-18, 2006. The purpose of this trip is to consult with Embassy and host government officials. ¶2. Control Officer: POC is Robert Copley, Political Officer, who can be reached at the office (506)519-2253 or fax (506)519-2364. The Embassy after-hours emergency phone number is (506)220-3127. ¶3. Upon arrival in country all TDY visitors are to make contact with their Embassy Control Officer for information regarding a security briefing. ¶4. Accommodations: Mr. Lindwall has accepted the invitation to stay at Ambassador Langdale's residence. The per diem rate for San Jose is $104.00 for lodging, and $67.00 M&IE. ¶5. Transportation: Mr. Lindwall will be met at the airport by Robert Copley, Control Officer. Embassy vehicle will be provided. ¶6. Public Affairs: Please note that the Public Affairs Office is the Embassy's designated point of contact with the press. If visitors have been scheduled for press events by local partner organizations or others, please inform the Embassy's Public Affairs Office. Should visitors be approached by the press with questions or a request for an interview, they should refer the press to the Embassy Public Affairs Office. In short, post requests that visitors not speak with the press before consulting with the Public Affairs office (506)519-2441. ¶7. Travel documents/Threat assessment/Local conditions: All official visitors must travel with passports, preferably official or diplomatic. Without these documents, travelers lack official status in the eyes of the Costa Rican Government. However, no repeat no visa is necessary. During this time of heightened security alerts, all travelers should consult the Department's website for the latest public announcement or other safety notices at www.usembassy.or.cr or www.usembassy.or.cr/osac.html. Costa Rica is currently rated as a "high" crime threat post. The increasing use of violence during the commission of a street crime is a threat to all visitors. Travelers are urged to exercise caution, as in any large city. Local law enforcement agencies are not up to U.S. standards and have limited capabilities. Jewelry should not be worn on the streets. Large amounts of cash should not be displayed. The downtown area of San Jose should be avoided at night because of the increase of criminal activity that occurs in this area. Credit card fraud and credit card "number skimming" is a rapidly growing crime. Visitors should avoid using debit cards for point-of-sale purchases, as a skimmed number can be used to clean out an account. Visitors should check their credit card accounts frequently. Visitors are advised to avoid unofficial moneychangers who may offer better rates but who often trade in counterfeit currency. The present rate of exchange is approximately 496 Costa Rican colones to one dollar. Accommodation exchange is available at a comparable rate at the airport. Visitors should exercise caution if they will be driving in Costa Rica. The combination of poor road conditions, erratic driving, and pedestrian and animal traffic on the roads make driving very treacherous. Costa Rica has one of the highest accident rates per automobile in the world. The Embassy strongly recommends against driving outside of the San Jose area at night. Vehicles should not be left unattended or packages left visible inside them. Costa Rica is an earthquake zone and periodically experiences significant tremors. Visitors should be careful not to eat peanuts or products made from peanuts grown in Costa Rica because they may harbor aflatoxin, which is suspected in the causation of liver cancer. ¶8. Laptops: Please be advised that State Department regulations prohibit installation or use of privately-owned computers in any State Department building. Visitors must notify the Regional Security Office in advance if they intend to use U.S. Government-owned portable computers in the Chancery. LANGDALE