COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR MS. KATHLEEN ANN

UNCLAS ZAGREB 000067 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE PLEASE PASS TO USAID, EE/ECA FOR ANNE CONVERY AND TO AID/EGAT/AG E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AMGT OTRA ASEC HR SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR MS. KATHLEEN ANN DRUSCHEL, CONTRACTOR WITH UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND IRIS REF: EMAIL WALLACH - MOBLEY, DATED JANUARY 10, 2006 ¶1. In response to the referenced email, Embassy Zagreb welcomes and grants country clearance to Ms. Kathleen Ann Druschel to travel to Zagreb, Croatia, from January 29 through February 1, 2006. The purpose of her trip is to develop poverty assessment tools to determine the composition of program outreach. EGAT PR is testing the cost effectiveness of these tools through a grant with DEMOS. The traveler will assess progress under these grants, provide training to grantee staff unable to attend the original trainings in Washington and debrief them on their use of the tools to date. No visa is required for holders of American diplomatic, official, or tourist passports. ¶2. Mission understand no logistics assistance is required. ¶3. The cost of a taxi from the airport to central Zagreb is approximately 200 kunas (USD 36). Money can be changed in the main terminal of the airport after exiting passport/customs control, where there is also an ATM machine. ¶4. The Control Officer for this visit is Mr. Bradley Wallach, Director of the Office for Economic Reforms, who can be reached at telephone 385-1-6612-156 or mobile 385-91-6612-156. 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 6.09 to the dollar. Ms. Druschel may wish to exchange a small amount of money upon arrival at the airport or the hotel until 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. 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. ¶9. ELECTRONIC DEVICES: Travelers are required to notify their Embassy control officer in advance if they plan to bring laptop or palmtop computers for use inside the Embassy. In accordance with STATE Department regulations all such devices must be approved in advance by post ISSO and RSO. Travelers must also receive a briefing about restrictions and usage of the equipment. The Embassy control officer must request approval for the equipment from the ISSO and RSO and, if approved, arrange the required briefing upon traveler's arrival before the devices will be permitted inside the building. ¶10. HEALTH AND MEDICAL CARE: The small 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. ¶11. 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