Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06SANJOSE92
2006-01-13 15:56:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy San Jose
Cable title:
COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR DAVID LINDWALL, WHA A/DAS
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHSJ #0092/01 0131556 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 131556Z JAN 06 FM AMEMBASSY SAN JOSE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4014 INFO RUEHBE/AMEMBASSY BELIZE 0766 RUEHGT/AMEMBASSY GUATEMALA 3051
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
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
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