Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06SANSALVADOR154
2006-01-20 21:32:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy San Salvador
Cable title:  

FAS COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR STEPHEN HUETE, KARLA TAY,

Tags:  OTRA EAGR AMGT ASEC ES COUNTRY CLEARANCE 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 SAN SALVADOR 000154 

SIPDIS

FOR USDA/FAS/AGRICULTURAL COUNSELOR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OTRA EAGR AMGT ASEC ES COUNTRY CLEARANCE
SUBJECT: FAS COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR STEPHEN HUETE, KARLA TAY,
EDITH VASQUEZ, MERCEDES CRUZ AND JOSE FOLGAR

REF: GUATEMALA 00101

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 SAN SALVADOR 000154

SIPDIS

FOR USDA/FAS/AGRICULTURAL COUNSELOR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OTRA EAGR AMGT ASEC ES COUNTRY CLEARANCE
SUBJECT: FAS COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR STEPHEN HUETE, KARLA TAY,
EDITH VASQUEZ, MERCEDES CRUZ AND JOSE FOLGAR

REF: GUATEMALA 00101


1. Post grants country clearance for Stephen Huete, Ag.
Counselor, Karla Tay, Ag Specialist, Edith Vasquez,
Marketing Assistant, Mercedes Cruz, Administrative Assistant
and Jose Folgar, Clerk/Driver, to travel to San Salvador
during the period of January 23-26, 2006 for the purpose of
attending the Central American Marketing Conference.
Travelers will be arriving by land in official vehicle,
Dodge Durango, plates CD-1296, color silver, and private
vehicle Honda CRV, plates CD-84BBD color silver. Control
Officer for this visit is Miguel Herrera, Agricultural
Specialist, Embassy phone number (503) 2278-4444, ext. 1412.


2. Clearances: Post acknowledges Mr. Stephen Huete has a
Top Secret Security Clearance. Karla Tay, Edith Vasquez,
Mercedes Cruz and Jose Folgar DO NOT have security
clearance.

TDY visitors under COM authority who will be in-country more
than ten working days are required to receive a security
briefing by the Regional Security Office. Your sponsor will
provide you with the date and time of your briefing.


3. Accommodations. Hotel reservations have been made at the
Decameron Salinitas Hotel (Jan 23-24) in Sonsonate, El
Salvador, phones (503) 2429-9004, (503) 2429-9000. Room rate
is $78.80 (without IVA). Per diem in San Salvador is
presently lodging Dollars 113.00, and M&IE Dollars 78.00 -
total Dollars 191. In-country Per diem is presently lodging
Dollars 59.00, and M&IE Dollars 32.00 - total Dollars $91.
The hotel accepts Visa, American Express and MasterCard for
payment. Legal currency in El Salvador is U.S. Dollar.



4. Administrative Support Services (ICASS) for TDY/Visitors:
Action Request:
(a) If administrative support services are necessary,
regardless of length of stay, then the visitor must be able
to present to the Financial Management Office their travel
authorization (or another fund cite) in order to pay for
direct costs of the visit. Each agency, organization, or
visiting delegation will be charged for the actual costs
attributed to their visit and will be advised of this
action. Direct charge costs include, but are not limited
to: American and LES staff overtime (e.g., expediter,

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 the visit.

(b) Also, for TDYers over thirty (30) days, there is a
charge for ICASS support services. If your sponsoring
agency is not signed up for ICASS services at post, please
be prepared to sign a MOU for ICASS support services upon
arrival. The agency should provide post with a written
communication generated by the traveler's headquarters that
confirms the agency will pay ICASS charges for the TDYers,
provide the agency ICASS billing code the TDY support
charges should be applied to, and authorizes the traveler to
sign the ICASS invoice generated by the TDY module. Where
travel is urgent, the TDYers should bring this documentation
with them to ensure there are no interruptions in the
provision of service. Post will not provide any service to
a TDYer staying in excess of thirty days without provision
of this documentation before day 31 of the TDY.


5. Airport transportation services. The Embassy will provide
airport/hotel transportation if requested. The Embassy
charges $35.00 per one-way trip with expediter. Personnel
who wish this service at their arrival must provide a fund
cite prior to their arrival. The airport transportation fees
for departures can be paid by fund cite or at the Embassy
cashier prior to departure. A receipt will be provided.

(a) Taxis. GSO and the Princess Hotel recommend ACACYA
taxis. This company provides 24/7 services throughout San
Salvador. They provide a/c sedans and/or vans upon request.
This company operates a Kiosk at the airport (located at the
meet/greet lobby of the terminal, outside of the passenger's
exit),tel. numbers (503) 2339-9282 or (503)2339-9271 and
from Hotel Princess (503) 2298-4545 (EXT. 2540). The
company will accept reservations via their e-mail address -
acacya_es@yahoo.es. The following charges are levied from
the following areas: Urban areas within San Salvador to the
international airport $20.00. Embassy area (Santa Elena)/
International Airport $21.00

(b) Hotels airport shuttle service. The following hotels
have airport shuttle service either free or charging fees
ranging between $7.00 and $10.00 per one-way trip
exclusively for their guests with confirmed reservations:
- Radisson
- Princess Hotel
- Holiday Inn Hotel
- Presidente San Salvador Hotel
- Real Intercontinental

(c) Transporte Express. This company provides services
throughout San Salvador. They provide minivans or 15 person
vans upon request. Telephone numbers are (503)2252-9400 or
(503) 2252-9401. The company offers transfers to the airport
for $30.00 each way for minivans and $35.00 for the larger
vans. They will also "meet and greet" at the airport upon
arrival. Additionally, they offer hourly rates (3 hour
minimum) for shopping or sightseeing excursions. Their web
site is: www.transporte-express.com


6. Laptop Policy. TDY employees requiring connectivity for
their properly configured State Department equipment should
include the request in their Country Clearance Request
cable. The traveler will be instructed to hand carry the
equipment, never allow it to leave his or her possession,
and to bring it directly to the Embassy upon arrival in the
country. Alternatively, the equipment may be sent via
secure Classified Pouch prior to the visit. No device is
permitted to be connected to a State Department computer or
network without the prior approval from the Information
Management Officer (IMO). Approval will be based on the
type of device and associated security risks, and whether
the equipment and configuration have been approved by the
State Department Information Technology Change Control Board
(ITCCB),including up-to-date virus protection for PCs.
Laptops will not be allowed onto the compound without prior
written permission from the RSO office.


7. Following pertinent information addresses the most
frequently asked questions concerning travel to El Salvador.
Country clearance is required for all personnel entering El
Salvador. USG personnel entering with diplomatic or official
passports must have a valid Salvadoran visa or purchase a
tourist card. Tourist cards valid for 90 days are available
for a fee of USD 10.00 and may be purchased upon arrival at
El Salvador airport or any land border crossing. The
departure fee via commercial airlines is USD 27.00. Bearers
of diplomatic passports are exempt.


8. Security information: the threat against Americans from
political activity is considered low. The threat from
criminal elements is critical. Random, violent crime is
endemic throughout the country. Armed street robberies,
carjacking, kidnapping for ransom, sexual assaults and
residential burglaries threaten every person in the country.
US Citizen or official travelers have not been singled out,
but are subject to the same threat as all other persons in
El Salvador. If travelers are not being met by Embassy
personnel or taking the airport shuttle, then they should
schedule their flights to arrive during daylight hours in
order to get into San Salvador before nightfall. Traveling
on the roads after dusk is dangerous for security and
traffic safety reasons.


9. Precautions: though all areas of the country are on
limits, travelers need to be aware that the downtown area of
San Salvador, along with other urban areas in the country,
are significantly less safe than the west side of the
capital. Travel to rural areas should be undertaken with
caution and scheduled so as to arrive in San Salvador or
another major city by dark. Mountain roads and poorly
maintained vehicles are a danger to travelers. Highway
robberies and other violence are real threats. Public
transportation, especially buses, both within and outside
the capital is risky and is not recommended. Use radio
dispatched taxis or those stationed in front of your hotel.


10. Contact with local media: the Ambassador has charged the
Office of Public Affairs with reviewing and managing public
diplomacy activities on behalf of the entire Embassy. All
official visitors must coordinate participation in any
public event with the Public Affairs Officer or Information
Officer in advance. This requirement applies to interviews
with radio, television and print media as well as to public
speeches.


11. Health issues:
--Food: Visitors to El Salvador are at risk for
gastrointestinal illnesses. Pay careful attention to the
choice of food and beverages. Most well known restaurants
are considered safe.
--Drink: Bottled drinks are considered safe. Tap water is
not considered potable.
--Infectious diseases: All persons traveling in El Salvador,
even for a brief visit, are at risk of contracting dengue.
Reduce contact with mosquitoes to reduce risk of dengue.
--Immunizations: No additional immunizations are required.
Immunizations for hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and typhoid
reduce the risk of contracting these diseases. Short-term
visitors who adhere to good hygiene measures and follow
recommendations concerning food and water consumption have a
minimal chance of exposure. Tetanus immunization should be
updated. Because rabies is endemic in El Salvador, visitors
should avoid contact with animals whose immunization status
is unknown.
--Automobile safety: Automobile accidents are among the most
common causes of serious injury. Avoid driving at night. Use
seat belts.
--Emergency medical services: Emergency medical care is
limited in El Salvador. The health unit keeps an up-to-date
list of available health facilities in San Salvador.
Travelers should arrange for medical evacuation insurance
either personally or through their sponsoring agency prior
to their arrival.


12. All U.S. Government funded travelers are reminded to
utilize U.S. airlines whenever possible.


13. If any questions or concerns regarding security matters,
please contact the U.S. Embassy telephone number (503) 2278-
4444, RSO: ext. 2262.

BARCLAY