COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR HHS/CSC PATRICIA

UNCLAS CAIRO 000110

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/WE AND NEA/ELA
STATE ALSO PASS HHS FOR STEIGER OGHA
ATD #4430

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KSCA OTRA US EG CDC
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR HHS/CSC PATRICIA
SIMONE

REF: CDC ATLANTA GA 4797


1. Post warmly welcomes and grants country clearance for the
visit of HHS/SCS Medical Officer, Patricia Simone, to Cairo,
Egypt January 23-26 to discuss and finalize plans for 2007
activities and to be introduced to the strategic partners at
the Ministry of Health, NAMRU-3 and the WHO regional office.


2. Post understands that no assistance is required for this
visit.


3. Science & Technology Officer Kimberly Harrington will be
the point of contact for the visit and can be reached at:

Work: (20)(2) 797-2646
Cell: (20)(12) 176-8101
Home: (20)(2) 735-9786

If Embassy contact is needed after hours, call the Embassy
operator at (20)(2) 797-3300. The workweek is Sunday through
Thursday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.


4. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: A passport and visa are required.
For travelers arriving by air, a renewable 30-day tourist
visa may be obtained at airport points of entry for $15,
payable in U.S. dollars. Post recommends obtaining a visa in
advance. Please advise if you are unable to obtain a visa
before arrival. Visitors who have had trouble with their
visa status in Egypt must obtain a visa before arrival.


5. ARRIVAL IN EGYPT: Please send special requests for
assistance due to physical handicap, heavy professional
equipment, or other unusual circumstances to the control
officer; post will gladly consider these requests on a
case-by-case basis.


6. ACCESS TO USG FACILITIES IN EGYPT AND SENDING OF
CLEARANCES: The Department of State issued Global
Identification (GLID) badge is used for access to USG
facilities in Egypt. Visitors holding valid GLID badges
should bring their badges with them. Doing so will
facilitate their entry into the Embassy, and other USG
facilities. Visitors, including TDY personnel, who do not
have a GLID badge, will be issued temporary ID cards as
needed. Security clearances, however, need to be included in
all requests for country clearance in order to ensure that
only authorized personnel have access to classified
information.


7. MEDICAL/HEALTH PRECAUTIONS: Travelers to Egypt are
cautioned to avoid poultry farms, contact with animals in
live food markets, and any surfaces that appear to be
contaminated with feces from poultry or other animals. See
more information about avian flu at
.
Tetanus/diphtheria immunizations should be current -- a
booster is required every 10 years. Rabies vaccinations are
recommended. Yellow fever vaccine is not required for entry
into Egypt unless you are arriving from an infected area.
However, the Department of State requires Foreign Service
personnel to have an up-to-date (every 10 years) yellow fever
vaccination for worldwide availability. Travelers' diarrhea
is a common problem. Only bottled or boiled (3 minutes)
water should be used for drinking and making ice. Avoid
fruits that have already been peeled, fruit without peels,
uncooked vegetables, and salads, which can transmit
pathogenic bacteria or parasites. Do not consume
unpasteurized local milk and cheese products. Except for
State Foreign and Civil Service staff, visitors should bring
a copy of their medical clearance and proof of medical
evacuation insurance. Standard health insurance does not
include air ambulance medical evacuation, which can typically
cost more than $50,000.


8. SECURITY CONCERNS: Egypt suffered a series of deadly
terrorist attacks in or near tourist sites in late 2004,
2005, and 2006 ) often coinciding with major local holidays.
Americans should be especially vigilant in crowded tourist
areas in the Sinai, practice good personal security measures,
and be alert to their surroundings. A heavy security
presence is apparent to travelers throughout the country.
Since October 2004, three major, coordinated terrorist
bombings targeting the Sinai Peninsula,s tourist
infrastructure caused many deaths and hundreds of injuries,
mostly to Egyptian nationals. U.S. citizens do not appear to
have been targeted in any of these incidents, but many

non-Egyptian tourists, including Americans, have been killed
or injured in these attacks. Most recently, three explosions
in the town of Dahab on April 24, 2006, killed over 20 people
and wounded at least another 80 people, including five U.S.
citizens. In July 2005, massive explosions in Sharm el
Sheikh killed over 60 people, including one American. In
October 2004, three bombs detonated in Taba and two nearby
tourist camps, killing 34 people, including one American.
Evidence of instability in the Sinai has also been reflected
in random attacks on vehicles transiting the interior and two
bomb attacks on Multinational Force Observers near the Rafah
border crossing in August 2005 and April 2006.


9. In addition to the Sinai attacks, there were three terror
attacks on crowded tourist destinations in Cairo in April

2005. In one, a lone suicide bomber killed three foreigners,
including an American, at Cairo,s Khan el-Khalili Market.
Three Americans were seriously injured in this incident.
Prior to the October 2004 attack, there had been no terrorist
incidents involving tourists in Egypt since the mid 1990s.
While the Egyptian Government took effective measures against
the perpetrators of the 2004 and 2005 attacks, the April 2006
bombings reflect a persistent, indigenous threat of terror
activities in the Sinai. U.S. citizens who still plan to
visit the Sinai in spite of the persistent threat of
terrorist attacks, should exercise great caution. As
anywhere, travelers may gain a measure of safety by remaining
particularly alert to their surroundings, by avoiding crowded
tourist areas, and by visiting destination resorts and hotels
with significant physical setback and security procedures.


10. The Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip in September
2005 occurred without serious incident. The exact terms for
crossing the border at Rafah have not yet been determined,
however. Travelers seeking to cross the border are likely to
encounter difficulty.


11. Public demonstrations, occasionally take place in public
areas such as Tahrir Square in Cairo and near universities
and mosques. These demonstrations are frequently accompanied
by a heavy security presence. Roads in the vicinity are
often closed. Americans are urged to avoid areas in which
demonstrations are planned or where large crowds are
gathering and to consult local sources to learn of possible
demonstrations. Travelers will gain a measure of safety by
remaining particularly alert to their surroundings, by
avoiding crowded tourist areas and suspicious objects or
individuals, and by visiting resorts and hotels with
significant physical setback. U.S. citizens should make
decisions based on their personal safety and security
considerations and take extra precautions in crowded tourist
areas throughout Egypt. In the event of an incident,
Americans should first take cover, and then depart the area
of commotion immediately. We urge visitors to monitor the
local news and to maintain close contact with the Embassy
throughout their visit. Visitors who will be in Egypt for
more than 14 days must attend a Regional Security Office
(RSO) security briefing.


12. AREAS OF INSTABILITY: From time to time there have been
occurrences of instability, or public disorder, in Cairo and
other areas of Egypt. Most recently, such occurrences took
place in the Nile Valley governorates of Assiut and Sohag.
These governorates, along with the governorates of Minya and
Qena, were areas of extremist activity. Therefore, before
traveling to these governorates, official visitors must first
notify and seek advice from their sponsoring office.


13. CRIME: Even though the crime rate in Egypt is low,
travelers are advised to be especially aware of their
surroundings, as they would in any major city. Incidents of
petty theft, such as purse snatching and pick pocketing,
while not common, do occur. Travelers are strongly cautioned
not to leave valuables such as cash, jewelry, and electronic
items, such as laptop computers, unsecured in hotel rooms, or
left unattended in public places.


14. PROTECTION OF INFORMATION AND SURVEILLANCE: As in many
countries, all visitors to Egypt should assume that they will
be the subject of technical and physical surveillance.
Visitors must secure classified information and equipment in
an approved container located in a controlled access area at
the Embassy. Sensitive information can be stored at a USG
facility in an approved container. Contact the RSO should
you have any questions concerning the storage of classified
and sensitive information. Any sensitive or classified

materials left in hotel rooms, public places, or other
unsecured locations will be considered compromised.
Classified and sensitive U.S. government information may not
be discussed in public places, in hotel rooms, or over
unsecured telephones or e-mails. You should also use caution
when communicating sensitive personal information over
non-secure communication systems such as the telephone and
the Internet. Sensitive personal information contained in
unsecured, personally owned laptop computers is also
vulnerable to unauthorized and unwanted intrusion.


15. CONTACTING THE RSO: You may contact the RSO during
working hours at 797-2208 (ext. 2208 from the Embassy
switchboard). After working hours, the duty RSO can be
contacted by calling the Embassy 24-hours per day switchboard
at 797-3300. Visitors should also contact the RSO for advice
and information if they intend to drive a vehicle while in
Egypt.


16. CONSULAR INFORMATION SHEET: For the most current
Consular Information Sheet and the latest travel information
about Egypt, we recommend that all travelers visit the State
Department's website: or <
cairo.usembassy.gov>.


17. Have a safe trip. We look forward to your visit.
RICCIARDONE