COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR MULLER TO

UNCLAS BRIDGETOWN 001357

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

SECSTATE PASS TO EGAT/ESP/GCC DUANE MULLER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC EAID OTRA AC XL
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR MULLER TO
TRAVEL TO ANTIGUA

REF: SECSTATE 144123


1. Embassy Bridgetown grants country clearance to
Duane Muller, Senior Program Specialist, EGAT/ESP/GCC,
to travel to Antigua and Barbuda O/A November 5-7,
2007 to participate in a UNFCCC Expert Workshop on
Monitoring and Evaluating Capacity-Building in
Developing Countries on behalf of the USG.


2. Understand Embassy assistance is not required and
hotel reservations are confirmed at the Heritage Hotel
(246-462-1247) in Antigua. If you have any questions,
please contact James L. Goggin at Tel:(246)227-4118 or
Fax:(246) 228-8589 or Cell: 246-243-1499.


3. The exchange rate for Antigua is approximately
2.70 xcd (Eastern Caribbean) dollars for 1.00 U.S.
dollar. U.S. currency, traveler?s checks, and credit
cards are routinely and widely accepted here.


4. Entry requirements: A valid U.S. passport is
required to enter Antigua. For further information,
travelers may contact the Embassy of Antigua and
Barbuda, 3216 New Mexico Avenue, N.W., Washington,
D.C. 20016, telephone (202) 362-5122.


5. Departure tax for Antigua is $50.00 xcd (Eastern
Caribbean) dollars or $19.00 U.S. dollars.


6. The following is general information pertaining to
security and health considerations throughout the
Eastern Caribbean:

Security
--------------
In the Eastern Caribbean, foot travel outside of well-
established tourist areas is not generally
recommended, especially at night. Be vigilant when
using public telephones or ATM machines near roadsides
or quiet areas. As in many U.S. metropolitan areas,
wearing expensive jewelry, carrying expensive objects,
or carrying large amounts of cash should be avoided.
Visitors should also safeguard valuables while at the
beach. While hotels are generally safe, many visitors
have experienced loss of unattended items. Hotel
burglaries are not uncommon and all valuables should
be locked in room safes if possible.

Health Information
--------------
Throughout the Eastern Caribbean, the most likely
threat to a visitor?s health is sunburn. It takes
several weeks to become accustomed to the heat and
humidity. Prolonged exposure to the sun, without
protection, causes sunburn and may ultimately result
in sun-damaged skin or even skin cancer. Sunscreens
should be used for protection. In Barbados, St.
Lucia, and St. Vincent the major health threat is
dengue fever, transmitted by mosquito. Dengue cases
are most often seen in the summer months. Persons
should therefore protect themselves with insect
repellant. There is also a growing number of HIV/AIDS
cases reported. The Eastern Caribbean enjoys clean
and safe drinking water. Only routine boosters for
immunizations (i.e. tetanus, diphtheria, and oral
polio vaccine) are required when traveling to this
region. Barbados has the best medical facilities of
all the islands in the region and most of the medical
specialties have practitioners here.

OURISMAN