COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR AMBASSADOR GROVER JOSEPH

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000767

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR IO
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM SOCI UNICEF WHO OTRA PREL AR BR CI
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR AMBASSADOR GROVER JOSEPH
REES, APRIL 25-28, 2007

REF: SECSTATE 49565


1. (SBU) POST WELCOMES AND GRANTS COUNTRY CLEARANCE TO AMBASSADOR
GROVER JOSEPH REES, SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR SOCIAL ISSUES, WHO
WILL TRAVEL TO ARGENTINA FROM APRIL 25-28, 2007. THE PURPOSE OF THE
VISIT IS TO PARTICIPATE IN PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ACTIVITIES AND TO ASSESS
U.S. SUPPORTED MULTILATERAL INITIATIVES INCLUDING EFFORTS TO REDUCE
MATERNAL AND CHILD MORTALITY, TO COMBAT SEXUAL VIOLENCE AND TO
PROTECT ORPHANS AND OTHER VULNERABLE CHILDREN.


2. (SBU) CONTROL OFFICER WILL BE POLITICAL OFFICER MICHELLE BALDWIN
EMAIL: BALDWINMB@STATE.GOV. EMBASSY ADDRESS: AV. COLOMBIA 4300.
EMBASSY PHONE 54-11-5777-4867; EMBASSY FAX 54-11-5777-4234. EMBASSY
HOURS: 08:45 AM TO 05:45 PM.


3. (SBU) POST HAS SECURED RESERVATIONS AT THE FOLLOWING HOTEL:

EMPERADOR HOTEL
AV. LIBERTADOR 420
TEL: 54-11-4131-4007
FAX: 54-11-4131-3904
E-MAIL: RESERVAS@HOTEL-EMPERADOR.COM.AR
WWW.HOTEL-EMPERADOR.COM.AR

ARRIVAL DATE: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 2007 (EARLY CHECK-IN)
DEPARTURE DATE: SATURDAY, APRIL 28, 2007 (12PM CHECK OUT)
1 SINGLE NON-SMOKING DELUXE ROOM
HOTEL RATE: USD 135.00 + 21% TAXES= USD 164.00
BREAKFAST IS INCLUDED
CONFIRMATION: 263353

CANCELLATIONS ARE PERMITTED AT NO CHARGE UP TO 1 DAY PRIOR TO
ARRIVAL, AFTER THAT ONE NIGHT WILL BE CHARGED.

IF VISITOR REQUIRES AN INTERPRETER PLEASE PROVIDE POST WITH FUND
CITE.


4. (SBU) TRANSPORTATION: POST WILL PROVIDE AN EMBASSY DRIVER AND
EXPEDITER TO MEET VISITOR AT THE AIRPORT UPON ARRIVAL.


5. (SBU) ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT: A) IF ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT
SERVICES ARE NECESSARY, REGARDLESS OF LENGTH OF STAY, THEN THE
VISITOR MUST BE ABLE TO PRESENT TO THE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT OFFICE
THEIR TRAVEL AUTHORIZATION (OR ANOTHER FUND CITE) IN ORDER TO PAY
FOR DIRECT COSTS OF THE VISIT. EACH AGENCY, ORGANIZATION, OR
VISITING DELEGATION WILL BE CHARGED FOR THE ACTUAL COSTS ATTRIBUTED
TO THEIR VISIT AND WILL BE ADVISED OF THIS ACTION. DIRECT CHARGE
COSTS INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO: AMERICAN AND LES STAFF
OVERTIME, FIELD TRAVEL-LODGING AND M&IE BY EMBASSY EMPLOYEES,
VEHICLE RENTALS, LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONE CALLS, EQUIPMENT RENTALS,
OFFICE SUPPLIES, INTERPRETATION SERVICES AND ALL OTHER COSTS THAT
ARE DIRECTLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE VISIT.

B) ALSO, FOR TDYERS STAYING OVER THIRTY (30) DAYS, THERE WILL BE A
CHARGE FOR ICASS SUPPORT SERVICES. IF YOUR SPONSORING AGENCY IS NOT
SIGNED UP FOR ICASS SERVICES AT POST, PLEASE BE PREPARED TO SIGN AN
MOU FOR ICASS SUPPORT SERVICES UPON ARRIVAL. THE AGENCY SHOULD
PROVIDE POST WITH WRITTEN COMMUNICATION GENERATED BY THE TRAVELER'S
HEADQUARTERS THAT CONFIRMS THE AGENCY WILL PAY ICASS CHARGES FOR THE
TDYERS, PROVIDE THE AGENCY ICASS BILLING CODE THE TDY SUPPORT
CHARGES SHOULD BE APPLIED TO, AND SHOULD AUTHORIZE THE TRAVELER TO
SIGN THE ICASS INVOICE GENERATED BY THE TDY MODULE. WHERE TRAVEL IS
URGENT, THE TDYERS SHOULD BRING THIS DOCUMENTATION WITH THEM TO
ENSURE THERE ARE NO INTERRUPTIONS IN THE PROVISION OF SERVICE. POST
WILL NOT PROVIDE ANY SERVICE TO A TDYER STAYING IN EXCESS OF THIRTY
DAYS WITHOUT PROVISION OF THIS DOCUMENTATION BEFORE DAY 31 OF THE
TDY.


6. (SBU) 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.


7. (SBU) AIRPORT TAX: OFFICIAL VISITORS, HOLDING DIPLOMATIC
PASSPORTS, ARE EXEMPTED FROM PAYING THE AIRPORT TAX WHEN DEPARTING
ARGENTINA. HOWEVER, HOLDERS OF OFFICIAL 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.


8. (SBU) 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.


9. (SBU) EXCHANGE FACILITIES: THE ARGENTINE PESO, WHICH IS
CURRENTLY EXCHANGED AT A FLOATING RATE, IS THE OFFICIAL CURRENCY.
TRAVELERS CHECKS MAY BE ACCEPTED BY HOTELS BUT ARE NOT WIDELY
ACCEPTED BY OTHER BUSINESSES OR ESTABLISHMENTS. THERE IS A WIDE
NETWORK OF ATMS THAT HONOR US ISSUED ATM/DEBIT/CREDIT CARDS ISSUING
FUNDS IN PESOS. TRAVELERS ARE REMINDED TO EXERCISE THE SAME CAUTION
WHEN USING AN ATM AS ONE WOULD IN THE UNITED STATES.


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


11. (SBU) TELEPHONE CALLS: VISITORS SHOULD BRING FUND CITES OR
CREDIT CARD TO COVER THE COST OF OFFICIAL INTERNATIONAL AND
IN-COUNTRY LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONE CALLS. INTERNATIONAL CALLING
CARDS ARE RECOMMENDED.


12. (SBU) LAPTOP COMPUTERS/DIGITAL CAMERAS: LAPTOPS/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.


13. (SBU) MANDATORY PERSONAL SECURITY TRAINING: ALL PERSONNEL
REQUESTING COUNTRY CLEARANCE TO PERFORM DUTY FOR 30 DAYS OR MORE AT
AN OVERSEAS LOCATION MUST HAVE COMPLETED THE MANDATORY PERSONAL
SECURITY TRAINING ("SERVING ABROAD FOR FAMILIES AND EMPLOYEES"
(S.A.F.E.) COURSE) CONDUCTED AT THE FSI, PRIOR TO THEIR TRAVEL."


14. (SBU) 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.



15. (SBU) THIS TELEGRAM HAS BEEN CLEARED BY THE DEPUTY CHIEF OF
MISSION.


16. (SBU) VISIT THE EMBASSY BUENOS AIRES CLASSIFIED WEBPAGE AT:
HTTP://WWW.STATE.SGOV.GOV/P/WHA/BUENOSAIRES

WAYNE