Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06SANTODOMINGO1911
2006-06-07 15:17:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Santo Domingo
Cable title:
COUNTRY CLEARANCE APPROVAL - TREASURY
how-toVZCZCXYZ0023 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHDG #1911/01 1581517 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 071517Z JUN 06 FM AMEMBASSY SANTO DOMINGO TO RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC PRIORITY INFO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5062
UNCLAS SANTO DOMINGO 001911
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EFIN OTRA DR
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE APPROVAL - TREASURY
REPRESENTATIVES RAMOS & WARFIELD
REF: SECSTATE 8240
UNCLAS SANTO DOMINGO 001911
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EFIN OTRA DR
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE APPROVAL - TREASURY
REPRESENTATIVES RAMOS & WARFIELD
REF: SECSTATE 8240
1. US Embassy Santo Domingo welcomes and grants country
clearance to US Treasury Representatives John Ramos and
Robert Warfield for travel to Santo Domingo, Dominican
Republic, from June 19 to June 30, 2006. The purpose of this
trip is to conduct an annual assessment of the current Tax
Technical Assistance project in the Dominican Republic.
--------------
2. Embassy Assistance
--------------
Per reftel hotel reservations have been made at the Jaragua
Hotel. Confirmation numbers are as follows: John Ramos
390812; Robert Warfield 388887.
--------------
3. Contact with US Embassy
--------------
In case of an emergency during visit, including medical,
please contact the US Embassy Marine Guard Post One at (809)
221-2171, extension 4398.
--------------
4. Travel Documents
--------------
All official visitors are encouraged to enter the Dominican
Republic on valid passports, with valid visas. If a visa
cannot be obtained before entry into the Dominican Republic,
a 30-day visa can be purchased for USD 10.00 in the airport
terminal upon arrival. A USD 20.00 airport departure tax is
charged to all non-residents leaving the country. Many US
carriers include this tax in the ticket price, so please
consult your ticket.
--------------
5. Monetary Exchange
--------------
Embassy does not recommend use of local ATM machines,
accordingly visitors are encouraged to bring sufficient cash,
traveler's checks or credit cards for their needs. Although
many merchants in the Dominican Republic generally do not
accept US currency as payment for goods and services, most
commercial banks and hotels provide exchange services. Please
note that most hotels will calculate the room charges in
pesos at their own exchange rate. To be certain that you pay
only your advertised dollar rate, travelers should pay their
bill in US currency to avoid currency fluctuations that could
result in higher charges. Banco de Reservas, a Dominican
commercial bank, offers check cashing and accommodation
exchange services in the Embassy from 0900-1100 and 1200-1545
during official workdays. Official visitors may cash personal
checks and can elect to either receive US Dollars or
Dominican Pesos. US credit cards, especially Visa and
Mastercard, are widely accepted in Major cities and tourist
areas.
--------------
6. Medical Attention
--------------
In the event medical services from Embassy Health
professionals are needed, visitors will be expected to
provide a copy of their orders upon receipt of care.
--------------
7. Country Threat Assessment
--------------
A) Terrorism: The Dominican Republic is considered to be a
low threat post for terrorism. Embassy is unaware of any
indigenous terrorist groups operating in the Dominican
Republic or of support for terrorist groups. However,
transnational terrorism remains a possibility due to a number
of factors, some of which include porous borders and a
culture of corruption that impacts police and other security
agencies.
B) Crime: The Dominican Republic is considered a high threat
post for crime. Street robberies, pick pocketing, credit card
fraud, ATM fraud, burglaries, and theft from vehicles are all
common crimes in the Dominican Republic. If you are the
victim of a street robbery, do not resist. Statistically,
most who resist robbery are injured. Those who obey robbers'
demands are generally left unharmed. To avoid credit card
fraud, avoid excessive use of credit cards while in country.
Contact your card provider and advise them what charges you
will be making while visiting the Dominican Republic. Keep a
close watch over your credit card charges even weeks after
leaving the Dominican Republic. Fraudulent charges may not
appear until well after you have returned to your place of
origin. To avoid ATM fraud, use only ATMs that are located in
major hotels, or collocated with banks. Avoid using carros
publicos, the least expensive type of taxi. Many travelers
have reported being pick pocketed in these vehicles. Use
established taxi services, or hotel taxis, which are
considered safe.
HERTELL
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EFIN OTRA DR
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE APPROVAL - TREASURY
REPRESENTATIVES RAMOS & WARFIELD
REF: SECSTATE 8240
1. US Embassy Santo Domingo welcomes and grants country
clearance to US Treasury Representatives John Ramos and
Robert Warfield for travel to Santo Domingo, Dominican
Republic, from June 19 to June 30, 2006. The purpose of this
trip is to conduct an annual assessment of the current Tax
Technical Assistance project in the Dominican Republic.
--------------
2. Embassy Assistance
--------------
Per reftel hotel reservations have been made at the Jaragua
Hotel. Confirmation numbers are as follows: John Ramos
390812; Robert Warfield 388887.
--------------
3. Contact with US Embassy
--------------
In case of an emergency during visit, including medical,
please contact the US Embassy Marine Guard Post One at (809)
221-2171, extension 4398.
--------------
4. Travel Documents
--------------
All official visitors are encouraged to enter the Dominican
Republic on valid passports, with valid visas. If a visa
cannot be obtained before entry into the Dominican Republic,
a 30-day visa can be purchased for USD 10.00 in the airport
terminal upon arrival. A USD 20.00 airport departure tax is
charged to all non-residents leaving the country. Many US
carriers include this tax in the ticket price, so please
consult your ticket.
--------------
5. Monetary Exchange
--------------
Embassy does not recommend use of local ATM machines,
accordingly visitors are encouraged to bring sufficient cash,
traveler's checks or credit cards for their needs. Although
many merchants in the Dominican Republic generally do not
accept US currency as payment for goods and services, most
commercial banks and hotels provide exchange services. Please
note that most hotels will calculate the room charges in
pesos at their own exchange rate. To be certain that you pay
only your advertised dollar rate, travelers should pay their
bill in US currency to avoid currency fluctuations that could
result in higher charges. Banco de Reservas, a Dominican
commercial bank, offers check cashing and accommodation
exchange services in the Embassy from 0900-1100 and 1200-1545
during official workdays. Official visitors may cash personal
checks and can elect to either receive US Dollars or
Dominican Pesos. US credit cards, especially Visa and
Mastercard, are widely accepted in Major cities and tourist
areas.
--------------
6. Medical Attention
--------------
In the event medical services from Embassy Health
professionals are needed, visitors will be expected to
provide a copy of their orders upon receipt of care.
--------------
7. Country Threat Assessment
--------------
A) Terrorism: The Dominican Republic is considered to be a
low threat post for terrorism. Embassy is unaware of any
indigenous terrorist groups operating in the Dominican
Republic or of support for terrorist groups. However,
transnational terrorism remains a possibility due to a number
of factors, some of which include porous borders and a
culture of corruption that impacts police and other security
agencies.
B) Crime: The Dominican Republic is considered a high threat
post for crime. Street robberies, pick pocketing, credit card
fraud, ATM fraud, burglaries, and theft from vehicles are all
common crimes in the Dominican Republic. If you are the
victim of a street robbery, do not resist. Statistically,
most who resist robbery are injured. Those who obey robbers'
demands are generally left unharmed. To avoid credit card
fraud, avoid excessive use of credit cards while in country.
Contact your card provider and advise them what charges you
will be making while visiting the Dominican Republic. Keep a
close watch over your credit card charges even weeks after
leaving the Dominican Republic. Fraudulent charges may not
appear until well after you have returned to your place of
origin. To avoid ATM fraud, use only ATMs that are located in
major hotels, or collocated with banks. Avoid using carros
publicos, the least expensive type of taxi. Many travelers
have reported being pick pocketed in these vehicles. Use
established taxi services, or hotel taxis, which are
considered safe.
HERTELL