COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR JULIANA PIGEY,

UNCLAS ZAGREB 000068 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE PLEASE PASS TO USAID, EE/ECA FOR ANNE CONVERY E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AMGT OTRA ASEC HR SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR JULIANA PIGEY, FREDERICK VAN ANTWERP AND CAROLINE VAN ANTWERP, URBAN INSTITUTE REF: LETTERS ROGERS-BAGHDASARIAN, DATED JANUARY 10, 2006 ¶1. In response to letters dated January 10, Embassy Zagreb welcomes and grants country clearance to Ms. Juliana Pigey, Decentralization and Local Government Specialist, Mr. Frederick Van Antwerp, Urban Institute employee, and Ms. Caroline Van Antwerp, spouse, to travel to Zagreb, Croatia, on the following dates: - Ms. Pigey from January 22 till January 28, 2006 - Mr. and Ms. Van Antwerp from January 13, 2006 till September 30, 2007. The purpose of Ms. Pigey's visit is to participate in a joint USAID/EU/World Bank program on decentralization. She will be a panelist for the program and make a presentation on joint service delivery for local governments. The purpose of Mr. Van Antwerp's visit is to begin his tenure as the new Resident Advisor for the Urban Institute on USAID's local government project. He will be accompanied by his spouse. No visa is required for holders of American diplomatic, official, or tourist passports for short-term visits. However for stays over 90 days, visa status must be "regularized". ¶2. Mission understands that no transportation or lodging arrangements are required. ¶3. The cost of a taxi from the airport to central Zagreb is approximately 200 kunas (USD 33). 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. Tom Rogers, USAID Project Officer, who can be reached at telephone 385-1-6612-101 or mobile 385-91-6612-101. In addition, the Marine Guard at Post One can be reached 24 hours/day at 385-1-661-2200. More information on the Embassy can be found on our website: www.usembassy.hr. ¶5. MONEY: Credit cards, particularly American Express, are widely accepted in Zagreb. ATM machines dispensing local currency are ubiquitous and accept most US-bank ATM cards (PLUS and CIRRUS). The Croatian kuna is currently trading at 6.06 to the dollar. Ms. Pigey, Mr. and Ms. Van Antwerp may wish to exchange a small amount of money upon arrival at the airport or the hotel. ¶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: 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. ¶9. 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. ¶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