SPECIAL AREA CLEARANCE GRANTED TO ADMIRAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRIDGETOWN 000558 SIPDIS SIPDIS C O R R E C T E D C O P Y (PARA MARKINGS ADDED) STATE FOR WHA/CAR E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/08/2017 TAGS: OTRA AC SUBJECT: SPECIAL AREA CLEARANCE GRANTED TO ADMIRAL STAVRIDIS FOR TRAVEL TO ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA REF: MLO 031745Z Classified By: DCM Mary Ellen T. Gilroy for reasons 1.4(b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Embassy Bridgetown warmly welcomes and grants clearance to Commander, U.S. Southern Command, Admiral James Stavridis, USN, to travel to Antigua and Barbuda from May 22-24, 2007, for the purpose of attending the Caribbean Nations Security (CANSEC) conference. Country clearance is also granted for the following members of Admiral Stavridis' party: Mr. Amselem, CDR Wilkenson, ENS Prewett, MAJ Fick, SA Rivera, and SFC Cruceta, from May 22-24, 2007. ¶2. (C) Embassy Bridgetown also grants special area clearance to the following advance personnel: SA Lopez, SA Morales-Ramos, SA Black, CW3 Codds, SFC Hamilton, SSG Mattocks, and SGT Pallares, from May 17-24, 2007. ¶3. (C) Admiral Stavridis will be met by Commander Aboagye of the Military Liaison Office. Further assistance will be provided by CANSEC conference coordinators and members of the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force. Embassy point of contact is Major Rachelle Harris, MLO; tel: 246/227-4123, cell: 246/230-2725. ¶4. (U) Entry requirements: Mission policy is that all USG travelers to the region be in possession of a valid passport. Visas are not required for short visits. There is a departure tax of 50 xcd (Eastern Caribbean) dollars or 19 U.S. dollars. ¶5. (U) The exchange rate in Antigua and Barbuda is 2.70 xcd (Eastern Caribbean) dollars for one U.S. dollar. U.S. currency, traveler's checks, and credit cards are routinely and widely accepted. ¶6. (U) 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 -------------- 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 and the Grenadines 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 repellent. There is 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