Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BRIDGETOWN559
2007-05-09 17:35:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bridgetown
Cable title:  

SPECIAL AREA CLEARANCE GRANTED TO MAJ GEN SPEARS

Tags:  OTRA BB 
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VZCZCXYZ0017
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHWN #0559 1291735
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 091735Z MAY 07
FM AMEMBASSY BRIDGETOWN
TO RUMIAAA/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL PRIORITY
INFO RUEHWN/CHUSMLO BRIDGETOWN BB PRIORITY
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4664
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RUMIAAA/HQ USSOUTHCOM J3 MIAMI FL PRIORITY
RUMIAAA/HQ USSOUTHCOM J5 MIAMI FL PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L BRIDGETOWN 000559 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/08/2017
TAGS: OTRA BB
SUBJECT: SPECIAL AREA CLEARANCE GRANTED TO MAJ GEN SPEARS
FOR TRAVEL TO BARBADOS

Classified By: DCM Mary Ellen T. Gilroy for reasons 1.4(b)
and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRIDGETOWN 000559

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/08/2017
TAGS: OTRA BB
SUBJECT: SPECIAL AREA CLEARANCE GRANTED TO MAJ GEN SPEARS
FOR TRAVEL TO BARBADOS

Classified By: DCM Mary Ellen T. Gilroy for reasons 1.4(b)
and (d).


1. Embassy Bridgetown warmly welcomes and grants clearance
to the Deputy Commander, U.S. Southern Command, Major General
Glenn Spears, USAF, to travel to Barbados from May 17-19,
2007, for the purpose of attending the State Partnership
Program conference. Clearance is also granted for SFC
Marlena Neal from May 17-19, 2007.


2. Major General Spears will be met at the airport by
Commander Aboagye of the Military Liaison Office or his
designated representative. Embassy point of contact is Major
Rachelle Harris, MLO; tel: 246/227-4123, cell: 246/230-2725.


3. Entry/departure 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. Visitors
are granted up to 28 days upon entry, which can be extended
through the Barbados Immigration Department for up to six
months.


4. The exchange rate in Barbados is two Barbados dollars for
one U.S. dollar. U.S. currency, traveler's checks, and
credit cards are routinely and widely accepted.


5. 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