COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR CODEL ISSA, APRIL 5-6.2007

UNCLAS DAMASCUS 000323 SIPDIS CODEL SIPDIS NEA/ELA; H FOR BUTTE DAHL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OREP AMGT ASECAFIN SY SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR CODEL ISSA, APRIL 5-6.2007 REF: SEC STATE 40702 ¶1. (U) Embassy Damascus welcomes and grants country clearance for the visit of Congressman Darrel Issa, and the other members of the delegation: David Abruzzino and Jeremy Bash. ¶2. (U) Control officer and point of contact for this visit is Econ Officer Stacey Jones, who can be reached at work: (963)-(11) 3391-4444; cell: (963) 093-302-143; home: (963)- 11) 371-3279; or embassy fax number: (963)-(11) 3391-3999. ¶3. (U) Fiscal Information: Post has received fiscal data to hold rooms and charge official expenses. Costs include, but are not limited to, American and FSN overtime, border crossing fees, field travel by Embassy employees, transportation costs for official vehicles, long distance telephone calls, equipment rentals, representational events, and other costs directly attributable to the visit. ¶4. (U) Visa Requirement: Every traveler must have a valid Syrian visa prior to departure for Damascus. The Syrian government will not normally grant airport or border visas. Travelers should apply for visas well in advance, as processing time is often slow. ¶5. (U) Security Requirements: Please forward security clearance information for the delegation via cable or email. ¶6. (U) Transportation: Embassy officers will meet Congressman Issa and the other members of his delegation on April 5 at the Syrian/Jordanian border. Post will also arrange for transportation to and from official meetings. Embassy officers will see Congressman Issa and his delegation off at the Syrian/Jordanian border on April 5 or at the Damascus airport on April 6 as needed. ¶7. (U) Accommodation: Reservations were made for the delegation at the Sheraton Hotel for April 5. Hotel telephone number is 963 (11) 373-4630 or 222-9300, fax: 963 (11) 224-3604. The daily room rate is USD 125, plus 11 percent tax. It is within per diem and breakfast is included. The maximum time granted for free cancellation is 24 hours prior to the day of arrival. ¶8. (U) Communications Support: Post will provide Congressman Issa and other members of his delegation with an international cell phone for official use while in-country. Long-distance telephone calls can also be placed from the Embassy. The internet can be accessed through a stand-alone PC in the Embassy. There is no charge for this service. The internet can also be accessed from hotels in Damascus by dialing to ONE of three different ISP's in Syria. ¶9. (U) Currency Exchange: Post will disburse per diem to the delegation for April 5. During normal Embassy business hours, the Embassy Class B Cashier provides accommodation exchange from dollars to Syrian pounds at the current rate for institutions, against cash, traveler's checks, and, with the authorization of the financial management officer, personal checks. Cashier hours are Sunday - Thursday, 10:00 - 13:00, closed Tuesday. Travelers should minimize the amount of Syrian pounds exchanged because reverse accommodation exchange is not authorized on the local economy. Reverse accommodation exchange is available at the embassy cashier for official visitors. Travelers may also purchase pounds at hotels, private banks and branches of the Commercial Bank of Syria. Most purchases in the Old City can be made in USD. ¶10. (U) Photography: Photography of individuals in uniform (including police),government buildings, and military installations is strictly forbidden. ¶11. (U) Departure Tax: Syria charges a departure tax of SP200 (approximately $4),payable in SP cash only. Travelers with diplomatic passports are exempt, but those with official passports must pay. ¶12. (U) Health: HEALTH facilities in Damascus are not up to U.S. or European standards, and facilities outside Damascus are extremely limited. Only personnel covered under the State Department's medical program and with a valid medical clearance for Syria are eligible for medevac at USG cost. It is recommended that all other travelers have medical evacuation insurance sufficient to cover evacuation by chartered air ambulance, or ensure that their agency will cover the cost. ¶13. (U) Threat Assessment: Political developments and security in the Middle East sometimes change quickly. The Embassy was attacked, without warning, in September 2006, by a small group of terrorists using automatic gunfire and grenades. They attempted, unsuccessfully, to detonate a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device at the rear gate. One local guard was seriously injured and there was at least one Syrian fatality in addition to the killing of the four attackers. Since the attack, the Embassy has taken additional measures to improve its security posture. In February 2005, the former Prime Minister of Lebanon was assassinated in Beirut, prompting the U.S. to recall its Ambassador to Syria for consultations. There are no plans to assign a replacement, reflecting the ongoing difficulties in U.S.-Syrian relations. Government-sanctioned demonstrations have occasionally included expressions of anti-American or anti-Western sentiment. Violent mobs attacked three Scandinavian embassies in February 2006. In general, Americans in Syria should vary their schedules, avoid large crowds and gatherings, and report suspicious incidents to the Regional Security Officer. They should also avoid electronic financial transactions and should not carry valuables or large amounts of cash in crowded shopping districts. Visitors should also read and follow the guidance in the latest public announcements and State Department travel advisories for Syria. CORBIN