COUNTRY CLEARANCE APPROVAL FOR REGIONAL

UNCLAS DAKAR 000448 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR S/CT, AF AND NEA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PTER ASEC MASS OTRA SG SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE APPROVAL FOR REGIONAL STRATEGIC INITIATIVE (RSI) CONFERENCE REF: STATE 018585 AND PREVIOUS ¶1. Ambassador Janice L. Jacobs and Embassy Dakar warmly welcome and grant country clearance to all participants for attendance at the RSI Conference to be held in Dakar on 13 March 2007 to: ¶2. CONFERENCE POINTS OF CONTACT: a) Embassy control officer will be RSO John Bray. Embassy Tel: [221] 823-4296 X2311, Cell: [221] 644-0610, Home: [221] 820-5048, E-mail: BrayFJ@state.gov b) For coordination of administrative support needs, please e-mail DakarRSIConfAdmin@state.gov and mignanogs@state.gov. (NOTE: Participants are requested to forward travel itinerary to the DakarRSIConfAdmin@state.gov and mignanogs@state.gov as soon as possible. END NOTE.) ¶3. ACCOMMODATIONS: We have reserved a block of rooms for all participants at the Meridien President Hotel. Individual hotel reservations will be adjusted as appropriate after receipt of participant travel itinerary. The hotel is located in the Pointe des Almadies area of Dakar. Hotel telephone number is [221] 869-6969. Hotel fax number is Fax: [221] 869-6924. Additional hotel information is available at: www.starwoodhotels.com/lemeridien/index.html The room rate for the Meridien President is CFAF 65,500 or approximately USD 133 per day. Information regarding Dakar?s current per diem rates is available at: . Due to frequent fluctuations in the USD: CFA exchange rate, Embassy Dakar recommends that travelers request an amendment to their travel orders which authorizes payment of actual lodging expenses incurred. ¶4. AIRPORT ASSISTANCE: Based upon the participant travel itinerary, our Embassy expeditor will meet and assist for both arrival and departure, and will furnish transportation as well. All conference participants will be met by an Embassy expeditor at planeside and processed through the airport?s VIP Lounge before proceeding to the Meridien hotel. ¶5. CONFERENCE SPECIFICS: The conference will be held at the USAID Building located approximately five minutes from the Meridien President Hotel. Support services available at the conference site, contact information and other details will be provided via e-mail upon receipt of participant travel information. ¶6. TRAVELING ON SAA VIA NEW YORK?: For those flying South African Airways (SAA) with a connection in New York, we have noted frequent delays in the receipt of checked luggage. Of nine recent arrivals in Dakar, seven arrived without their luggage. While the luggage typically is delivered one or two days after arrival, we recommend that travelers layover in New York for at least 3 hours prior to their SAA flight departure. A layover of this length appears to decrease luggage problems. ¶7. MEDICAL SERVICES: Dakar has limited medical facilities and visitors may have to be medically evacuated in the event of a major illness or injury. We recommend medical evacuation insurance for all visitors, unless they are covered by the State Department's medical program. ¶8. HEALTH CONCERNS: Senegalese Immigration authorities often inspect the World Health Organization immunization card of travelers on arrival to verify immunizations against yellow fever within the past ten years and against meningitis within the past three years. In addition, we recommend that travelers have current immunization against typhoid. Malaria is endemic in West Africa and travelers should be taking appropriate anti-malarial medication prior to arrival, during their stay, and following their return to a malaria-free environment. ¶9. SECURITY: Dakar is rated high threat for crime and transnational terrorism. Common security precautions that one would take in any large U.S. city are prudent. Visitors to Dakar are encouraged to read the latest security information for travelers at: . ¶10. TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Travelers must have a valid passport to enter Senegal. American citizens do not need a Senegalese visa for visits of less than 90 days. Bon voyage! JACOBS