COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR ZAGREB ICASS TRAINING TEAM

UNCLAS ZAGREB 000064 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AFIN AMGT OTRA ASEC KICA HR SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR ZAGREB ICASS TRAINING TEAM REF: STATE 6963 ¶1. In response to reftel, Embassy Zagreb welcomes and grants country clearance to the following Zagreb ICASS training team members to visit Zagreb between January 28 - February 4, 2006, to provide post-wide ICASS training: - Samuel Durrett - Vandoster Tabb - William Tusaie No visa is required for carriers of American diplomatic, official, or tourist passports. ¶2. Reservations have been made at the Regent Esplanade Hotel, Mihanoviceva 1, tel. no. [385] (1) 456-6666, fax no. [385] (1) 456-6050. The nightly rate is USD 133 (city tax included, breakfast not included). ¶3. Reliable taxis are readily available at the airport. The fare from the airport to the hotel will be approximately 200 Kunas (USD 35). Money can be changed in the main terminal of the airport after exiting passport/customs control, where there is also an ATM machine. Post will provide transportation from hotel to Embassy and back every day for the duration of the training. ¶4. The Control Officer for this visit is FMO/HRO Michelle Wollam, who can be reached at [385] (1) 661-2279 or the cell phone [385] (91) 661-2279. In addition, the Marine Guard at Post One can be reached 24 hours/day at (385-1) 661-2400. More information on the Embassy can be found on our website: www.usembassy.hr. ¶5. MONEY: Credit cards are widely accepted in Zagreb. The embassy cashier is open mornings, Monday through Friday, for accommodation exchange (personal and/or traveler's checks are accepted) for USG personnel only. ATM machines dispensing local currency are ubiquitous and accept most US-bank ATM cards (PLUS and CIRRUS). There is also an ATM machine available in the Embassy building. The Croatian kuna is currently trading at 6.06 to the dollar. Visitors may wish to exchange a small amount of money upon arrival at the airport or the hotel until [he, she] can go to the Embassy and cash a check. ¶6. THREAT ASSESSMENT AND SECURITY GUIDANCE: Croatia has a relatively low crime rate. Travelers should, however, take normal precautions and exercise common sense, as they are sometimes the targets of pickpockets, especially on public transportation and in crowded markets. All personnel should notify the RSO of any threats, security incidents, or questions. ¶7. SECURITY CLEARANCE AND BUILDING ACCESS: Bring a photo ID (e.g., passport) with you for entry into the Embassy. Visitors who have State Department building passes may bring those for entrance to mission facilities. Visitors desiring unescorted access into Embassy buildings must ensure that their headquarters provide the following information via front-channel cable: name, date of birth, security clearance level (if any) and arrival and departure dates. ¶8. ELECTRONIC DEVICES: RSO approves laptops to be used for training purposes inside the Embassy. ¶9. HEALTH AND MEDICAL CARE: The Embassy health unit is staffed full-time and can assist in emergency situations. Travelers should bring with them a supply of any required medications adequate for the duration of their stay. Many newer medications are not available in Croatia. Recommended immunizations for Croatia include typhoid and hepatitis A and ¶B. Travelers should be aware that the standard of health care in Croatia decreases markedly outside of Zagreb. ¶10. TRAVEL WARNINGS: All travelers should be aware of the Department of State's latest travel warnings and public announcements, available on the Consular Affairs internet website at http://travel.state.gov FRANK