UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ULAANBAATAR 000829

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE FOR JIM HALLMARK
STATE FOR EAP/EX/CM ROBERTO G. BRADY

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OTRA EAID KMCA ECON MG
SUBJECT: Country Clearance for MCA's Roche International
Consultants

REF: (A) CHEN-GOLDBECK EMAIL: 11/08/06, (B)
CHALLENGE 00000295, (C) ULAANBAATAR 793

1. We welcome and grant country clearance to Roche International
consultants Christian Berube, David Burns, Asil Gezen, Dennis
Lindberg, Lawrence Phipps, and Deana Silverston for their travels to
Mongolia during the month of November. The purpose of the visit is
to work with MCC's Burak Inanc and Marycel Tuazon (refs) on the
continuation of due diligence of the rail project.

2. POC: Your point of contact is Oyuna Boldbaatar, MCC Staff
Assistant. Contact numbers are as follows:

--Office Telephone Number: N/A
--Cellular Number: (976) 9919-3959;
--Fax Number is N/A;
--Home Number: (976-11) 361-751;
--Email Address: oyuka80@yahoo.com
--Duty Officer Number: (976) 9911-4168.


3. VOUCHERS: Post has limited staff and resources. TDY travelers
visiting post for less than 30 days should pay all travel bills and
then voucher the expense when they return to their duty station.


4. HOTEL: Hotel bookings for the consultants are made at Ulaanbaatar
hotel. The hotel's telephone number is (976-11) 320-237, and its fax
number is (976-11) 324-485. Please provide the hotel administration
with your credit card information upon arrival to allow them enough
time to process the charges.


5. VISA: A visa is not required for Mongolia. If you will travel
via Beijing, you must have a valid Chinese visa for each time you
land in China. This means a double-entry visa if your itinerary is
Beijing-Ulaanbaatar-Beijing. The Chinese require a visa even to
transit between two international flights. If you don't have a
valid (unused) visa, the airline will not let you on board, and your
travel will be delayed.


6. DOMESTIC AIR TRAVEL RESTRICTION: "The U.S. Embassy prohibits U.S.
government personnel use of MIAT domestic service for official
travel because of uncertainties regarding MIAT's service schedule,
aircraft certification and insurance status. This prohibition does
not extend to MIAT's international flights. "

7. EXPORT LIMITS: Mongolia limits the export of art, antiques, and
icons. Reputable art and antique dealers can give you documents
that will let you export what you buy. Customs duties, however, may
apply, and you must be ready to pay in cash (not credit card). We
can give you more information.


8. SECURITY SITUATION: Mongolia and Ulaanbaatar are generally safe
places to visit. Mongolians accept foreigners readily and are
congenial hosts. There is no known specific threat to Americans.
However, the poor economic situation and obviousness of foreigners
makes us easy targets for petty crime. We strongly recommend that
you carry only the money you expect to need and leave your passport,
wallet, and other valuables in the hotel's safekeeping. We
recommend that you be especially cautious at night and in crowded
public places, such as the "black market," within and in front of
the State Department shopping store, and anywhere foreigners
frequent. Pick pocketing is an increasing problem.


9. HEALTH CARE: Health care for Embassy personnel and visitors is
provided by the Embassy's Health Unit and the SOS International
Clinic in Ulaanbaatar.

The Embassy's Health Unit's telephone number is (976-11) 313-133.
The hours of operation are Monday through Friday 1:00pm - 5:00pm.
For appointments outside of scheduled office hours please call Eric
Wood at 9911-4730.

The SOS International Clinic's telephone/fax number is (976-11)
342-550. The clinic is expensive and requires payment upon receipt
of services. It is important that your health insurance is up to
date. Filling an insurance claim is the responsibility of the
visitor. SOS International takes MasterCard, Visa, or cash as
payment.


10. GENERAL MEDICAL INFORMATION: We suggest that you talk with your
medical office about recommended inoculations. Over-the-counter
drugs such as cold, fever, and painkiller medications are not
readily available. Plan to bring enough over-the-counter and
prescription medicines to last your entire time in Mongolia. You
should take health precautions in Mongolia: drink only bottled or
boiled drinks, and eat only hot, freshly prepared food. Also, we
recommend that you wear sturdy shoes with good traction.


11. WEATHER: Ulaanbaatar has an extreme continental climate. The
weather is unpredictable. It can be cold anytime September through
May, and is extremely cold November through February. Summertime
temperatures can approach 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Spring is an

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uncertain time of year, with occasional high winds and snow. We
recommend you be prepared with layers of clothing and warm, sturdy
footwear. Several internet sites, including Yahoo! Weather, give
forecasts for Ulaanbaatar.


12. DOLLARS AND TUGRUGS: Mongolia's financial infrastructure is
still limited. Traveler's checks are rarely accepted. Mongolia is a
predominantly cash based economy. Western-oriented businesses and
hotels accept credit cards - Visa, MasterCard, and American Express.
Hotels provide official currency exchange.


13. WEBSITE: Please visit our Embassy website at
http://ulaanbaatar.usembassy.gov. It provides interesting and useful
information. Mongolia is a beautiful and fascinating country; we
hope you will have a chance to see a bit of it after work hours.


14. We look forward to your arrival. Regards.

MINTON