COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR SECRETARY OF LABOR ELAINE L.

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 002305

SIPDIS

STATE PASS TO DEPT OF LABOR

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OVIP PGOV ELAB AR UY
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR SECRETARY OF LABOR ELAINE L.
CHAO, DECEMBER 9-10, 2007

REF: SECSTATE 162148

SECSTATE 163927


1. THE AMBASSADOR WARMLY WELCOMES SECRETARY OF LABOR ELAINE L. CHAO
AND THE DELEGATION SHE WILL LEAD TO REPRESENT THE PRESIDENT OF THE
UNITED STATES AT THE PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION OF CRISTINA KIRCHNER
AND MEET WITH GOA OFFICIALS. COUNTRY CLEARANCE IS GRANTED TO ALL
THE SUPPORT STAFF NAMED IN REFTELS.


2. CONTROL OFFICER FOR THIS VISIT WILL BE POLITICAL OFFICER HEIDI
GOMEZ. EMAIL: GOMEZHN@STATE.GOV; EMBASSY ADDRESS: AV. COLOMBIA

4300. EMBASSY PHONE 54-11-5777-4752 OR 4656; EMBASSY FAX
54-11-5777-4234. EMBASSY HOURS: 08:45 AM TO 05:45 PM.

ADMINISTRATIVE POINT OF CONTACT WILL BE DAN FOOTE: E-MAIL
FOOTEDL@STATE.GOV, PHONE 54-11-5777-4694 OR 4413.


3. POST HAS SECURED RESERVATIONS AT THE FOLLOWING HOTEL:

HOTEL EMPERADOR - BUENOS AIRES
LIBERTADOR 420(C1001ABR)
BUENOS AIRES - ARGENTINA
TEL.: (5411) 4131 - 4000
FAX: (5411) 4131 - 3910

2 STANDARD ROOMS, DECEMBER 3-11 (9 NIGHTS)
1 STANDARD ROOM , DECEMBER 6-10 (5 NIGHTS)
1 DELUXE ROOM, DECEMBER 6-10 (5 NIGHTS)
4 STANDARD ROOMS, DECEMBER 8-9 (2 NIGHTS)
1 JR. SUITE DECEMBER 9 (1 NIGHTS)
2 DELUXE ROOMS, DECEMBER 8-10 (3 NIGHTS)
1 JR. SUITE (DECEMBER 9-10 ; 2 NIGHTS)+ 3 ROOMS FOR STATE PROTOCOL
OFFICERS, DECEMBER 9 (1 NIGHTS)
1 JR. SUITE FOR CONTROL ROOM, DECEMBER 7-11 (5 NIGHTS)

HOTEL RATE FOR STANDARD ROOM: USD 135.00 + 21% TAX= USD 164.00
BREAKFAST IS INCLUDED
HOTEL RATE FOR JR. SUITE: USD 270 + 21% TAX= USD 327.00
BREAKFAST IS INCLUDED
HOTEL RATE FOR DELUXE ROOMS: USD 175 + 21% TAX= USD 212.00

CANCELLATIONS ARE PERMITTED AT NO CHARGE 48 HOURS PRIOR TO ARRIVAL,
AFTER THAT ONE NIGHT WILL BE CHARGED.


4. VISAS: VISITORS ARE REMINDED THAT ARGENTINA REQUIRES VISAS IN US
DIPLOMATIC AND OFFICIAL PASSPORTS FOR OFFICIAL TRAVEL. PERSONS
TRAVELING ON OFFICIAL BUSINESS AND CARRYING DIPLOMATIC OR OFFICIAL
PASSPORTS WHO ARRIVE WITHOUT A VALID VISA MAY BE DENIED ENTRY AND
SENT BACK TO POINT OF ORIGIN. THE EMBASSY IS UNABLE TO SECURE ENTRY
OF TRAVELERS WHO ARRIVE WITHOUT VISAS.


5. AIRPORT TAX: OFFICIAL VISITORS, HOLDING DIPLOMATIC OR REGULAR
PASSPORTS, ARE REQUIRED TO PAY THE AIRPORT TAX. FOR INTERNATIONAL
FLIGHTS, THE TAX IS US $18 PER PASSENGER (VAT-EXEMPT) OR PESO
EQUIVALENT, PAYABLE IN CASH, WITH TRAVELER'S CHECKS OR CREDIT CARDS.



6. THREAT ASSESSMENT:


A. POLITICAL VIOLENCE/TERRORISM: LIAISON WITH HOST GOVERNMENT
POLICE AND SECURITY FORCES INDICATE THERE IS LITTLE THREAT TO U.S.
CITIZENS (OFFICIAL VISITORS, BUSINESS VISITORS, TOURISTS) FROM
INDIGENOUS TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS IN ARGENTINA. THERE ARE NO
VIOLENT DOMESTIC GROUPS CURRENTLY ACTIVE IN THIS COUNTRY THAT ARE
SPECIFICALLY TARGETING U.S. INTERESTS. HOWEVER, GIVEN THE PRESENCE
OF MEMBERS OF AND SUPPORT FOR EXTREMIST INTERNATIONAL TERRORIST
GROUPS SUCH AS HIZBOLLAH IN THE TRI-BORDER REGION OF ARGENTINA
(MISIONES PROVINCE),VISITORS HERE CANNOT DISCOUNT THE POSSIBILITY
OF TERRORIST ACTIVITY, TO INCLUDE RANDOM ACTS OF ANTI-AMERICAN
VIOLENCE.


B. CRIME: PETTY STREET CRIME IN THE CITY OF BUENOS AIRES AND THE
IMMEDIATE SUBURBS CONTINUES TO BE A PROBLEM FOR RESIDENTS AND
VISITORS ALIKE. BURGLARIES IN THE MORE FASHIONABLE SUBURBS HAVE BEEN
A PARTICULAR PROBLEM. VISITORS TO THE CITY OF BUENOS AIRES SHOULD BE
AWARE OF PROBLEMS WITH HOTEL SECURITY (I.E. THEFTS FROM ROOM) AND
PICKPOCKETS OR PURSE SNATCHING ON THE STREETS AND PUBLIC
TRANSPORTATION (BUSES AND TRAINS). PICKPOCKETS OFTEN WORK IN PAIRS
AND EMPLOY A VARIETY OF RUSES TO VICTIMIZE THE UNSUSPECTING VISITOR.
IN RECENT YEARS, MOST CRIME AFFECTING VISITORS HAS BEEN
NON-VIOLENT; AGGRAVATED ROBBERIES, SHOOTINGS, ETC., WHILE NOT
COMPLETELY UNHEARD OF IN BUENOS AIRES WERE NONETHELESS UNCOMMON.
RECENTLY, HOWEVER, INCIDENTS OF ARMED INVASIONS OF RESTAURANTS,
SHOPS AND RESIDENCES BY CRIMINAL GROUPS ARE BEING OBSERVED WITH
GREATER FREQUENCY, AND AS A RESULT, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT DUE
CAUTION BE EXERCISED WHEN TRAVELING ABOUT THE CITY. HOWEVER, IN
GENERAL, THE CRIME LEVEL IN BUENOS AIRES IS LESS SEVERE THAN LARGE
U.S. CITIES.
PICKPOCKETS OFTEN WORK IN PAIRS AND EMPLOY A VARIETY OF RUSES TO
VICTIMIZE THE UNSUSPECTING VISITOR. IN RECENT YEARS, MOST CRIME
AFFECTING VISITORS HAS BEEN NON-VIOLENT; AGGRAVATED ROBBERIES,
SHOOTINGS, ETC., WHILE NOT COMPLETELY UNHEARD OF IN BUENOS AIRES
WERE NONETHELESS UNCOMMON. RECENTLY, HOWEVER, INCIDENTS OF ARMED
INVASIONS OF RESTAURANTS, SHOPS AND RESIDENCES BY CRIMINAL GROUPS
ARE BEING OBSERVED WITH GREATER FREQUENCY, AND AS A RESULT, IT IS
RECOMMENDED THAT DUE CAUTION BE EXERCISED WHEN TRAVELING ABOUT THE
CITY. HOWEVER, IN GENERAL, THE CRIME LEVEL IN BUENOS AIRES IS LESS
SEVERE THAN LARGE U.S. CITIES.


7. ACCOMMODATION EXCHANGE WILL BE PROVIDED IN THE CONTROL ROOM AT
THE HOTEL DURING SET HOURS ON SATURDAY, SUNDAY, AND MONDAY.


8. EMBASSY ACCESS: STATE DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES SHOULD BRING THEIR
STATE ID CARDS/BUILDING PASSES TO BUENOS AIRES TO FACILITATE ACCESS
TO THE CHANCERY.


9. DIRECT DIAL TELEPHONE ACCESS WITH INTERNATIONAL DIALING
CAPABILITY WILL BE AVAILABLE IN THE HOTEL CONTROL ROOM, AND CELL
PHONES WILL BE DISTRIBUTED PER DEPARTMENT OF LABOR INSTRUCTIONS.
TELEPHONE NUMBERS WILL BE AS FOLLOWS: (54-11)
4326-3062,(54-11)4393-3404 AND FAX(54-11) 4393-1282.


10. TWO COMPUTERS EQUIPPED WITH THE FOLLOWING: CD ROM, FLOPPY
DRIVE, USB PORTS, ONE ROUTER, TWO PRINTERS AND INTERNET ACCESS WILL
BE AVAILABLE FOR USE IN THE HOTEL CONTROL ROOM. LAPTOP
COMPUTERS/DIGITAL CAMERAS/PALM PILOTS, CELLULAR PHONES AND OTHER
ELECTRONIC DEVICES MAY NOT BE BROUGHT INTO THE EMBASSY WITHOUT THE
PRIOR APPROVAL OF THE REGIONAL SECURITY OFFICE. PERSONALLY OWNED
LAPTOPS/PALM PILOTS MAY NOT/NOT BE USED IN THE EMBASSY. USG-OWNED
LAPTOPS MAY ONLY BE USED IN CONTROLLED ACCESS AREAS (CAA) IF THE
USER CERTIFIES THAT THE COMPUTER HAS BEEN CONTINUOUSLY UNDER THE
PERSONAL CONTROL OF A CLEARED AMERICAN THROUGHOUT TRANSIT. IF THIS
REQUIREMENT IS NOT MET, THE LAPTOP CAN ONLY BE USED OUTSIDE OF THE
CAA. USG-OWNED PALM PILOTS ARE UNDER THE SAME RESTRICTIONS AS
CELLULAR PHONES AND OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES, AND MAY NOT BE
UTILIZED WITHIN THE CAA. AT THE EMBASSY, ALL USG ISSUED OR PERSONAL
CELLULAR PHONES MUST BE LEFT OUTSIDE OF THE CAA. USE OF CELLULAR
PHONES OUTSIDE OF THE CAA IS NOT RESTRICTED. IT SHOULD BE NOTED
THAT IF TRAVELER IS BRINGING A CELLULAR PHONE INTO THE COUNTRY,
ARGENTINE LAW REQUIRES THE TRAVELER TO DECLARE THE PHONE, INCLUDING
ITS VALUE, WHEN FILLING OUT THE CUSTOMS AND IMMIGRATION DECLARATION
FORM.


11. FOR FURTHER GENERAL INFORMATION REGARDING TRAVEL TO ARGENTINA,
TRAVELERS SHOULD CONSULT THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE INTERNET SITE AT
HTTP://TRAVEL.STATE.GOV/, WHICH INCLUDES THE LATEST CONSULAR
INFORMATION SHEET FOR ARGENTINA.


12. THIS TELEGRAM HAS BEEN CLEARED BY THE CHARGE D'AFFAIRES.


13. VISIT THE EMBASSY BUENOS AIRES WEBPAGE AT:
HTTP://ARGENTINA.USEMBASSY.GOV

KELLY