COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR ETHIOPIA DESK OFFICER

UNCLAS DJIBOUTI 001177

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AMGT OTRA DJ
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR ETHIOPIA DESK OFFICER
JOHN WYSHAM

REF: STATE 0142826


1. U.S. Embassy Djibouti grants country clearance as requested in
reftel and we look forward to your visit.
Visitor: JOHN WYSHAM
Title: ETHIOPIA DESK OFFICER - STATE
SecClear: TOP SECRET
Purpose: Official Business
Arrive: 10/21/2007 - ET 306
Depart: 10/22/2007 - ET 307
Lodging: KEMPINSKI PALACE - (253) 32 55 55
ILOT DE HERON, Djibouti
Payment: CASH, VISA, AMERICAN EXPRESS


2. Control: CHRISTOPHER PATCH - POL/ECON OFF
E-mail: PATCHCB@STATE.GOV
Mobile: (253) 83 81 96
Embassy:(253) 35 39 95 X2305


3. Travel Notes (Visas, Fees, etc):
-- A visa is required for entry and travelers should obtain a visa
before traveling to Djibouti. In countries in which there is no
Djiboutian diplomatic representation, travelers can often obtain a
Djiboutian visa through the French Embassy. In emergency cases,
Djibouti may issue a visa at the point of entry. There is no fee
for an airport visa for diplomatic or official passports. The fee
for tourist passports is 5,000 DF (28.26 USD).
--Travelers are required to pay an airport usage fee of up to 5,000
DF. This fee is included in the ticket price on Air France and U.S.
carrier tickets. For flights to neighboring countries, including
Ethiopia, the traveler will be required to pay the fee in cash (USD
or DF) upon departure.
--An appropriate tip for baggage handlers is 1.50 to 2.00 USD per
bag.
--The exchange rate is 177 DF to the dollar. Accommodation exchange
is available to official travelers through the Embassy cashier.
Travelers can obtain local currency for U.S. dollar cash at
comparable rates through commercial currency exchange bureaus. USD
bills printed prior to 2001 are generally not accepted in Djibouti
due to counterfeiting concerns.


4. Health and Medical:
-------------- Avian Influenza(AI): A case of human AI was confirmed in
Djibouti in May 2006. Post EAC has determined that no additional
travel restrictions are required at this time.
--Tap water in Djibouti is not potable.
--A valid medical clearance is required for all visitors staying
more than 60 days.
--Vaccinations: Yellow Fever vaccination is required for all
travelers coming from an endemic zone. Travelers should also have
vaccinations against Hepatitis B, Meningitis, Typhoid and either
Hepatitis A or Gamma Globulin.
--Malaria: Mefloquine tablets, 250 mg, one week prior to arrival;
or daily Doxycycline tablets,100 mg, 2 days prior arrival; or daily
Malarone(Atovaquone) 250mg/proguanil 100mg started 2 days prior
arrival.


5. Local Transportation: Embassy Djibouti's Motor Pool will meet
you at the airport when you arrive. After that, please arrange
hotel-to-Embassy transportation with the driver or with the Motor
Pool office for the duration of your stay. For other (unofficial)
transportation, taxis are available locally. For security and
safety reasons, the U.S. Embassy is advising all American Embassy
employees and visitors to only hail taxis from recognized hotels and
public spaces - the RSO can give you details. Any use of Motor Pool
for personal trips is on an availability basis and will be charged
to the traveler at a rate of $0.45/km. Personal travel incurring
driver or other staff overtime and travel expenses will be charged
to the visitor, in addition to the mileage expense.


6. Climate: During the May through September hot season, daytime
temperatures average over 100 degrees Fahrenheit and often exceed
120 degrees. May and September are also marked by high humidity.
The cooler season, from October through April has temperatures in
the 80s with lower humidity. Short sleeves and a light jacket are a
good combination, due to the difference in indoor and outdoor
temperatures. There is no dress code; however, this is a Muslim
country and people, especially women, tend to be modestly dressed


7. Threat Assessment: The U.S. Department of State issued a
worldwide caution (See 07 STATE 47330) on April 10, 2007 outlining
the continuing threat of terrorist actions and violence against
Americans and interests overseas. Current information suggests that
al-Qa'ida and affiliated organizations continue to plan terrorist
attacks against U.S. interests in multiple regions, including
Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. These attacks may employ a
wide variety of tactics to include assassinations, kidnappings,
hijackings and bombings. Ongoing events in Iraq and elsewhere in
the Middle East have resulted in demonstrations and associated
violence in several countries. Personnel are reminded to avoid large
crowds and that demonstrations and rioting can occur with little or
no warning. Personnel are strongly encouraged to maintain a high

level of vigilance, be aware of local events, and take the
appropriate steps to bolster their personal security. Djibouti also
falls under the East Africa public announcement that was issued on
January 4, 2007. This announcement warns all personnel traveling to
East Africa, particularly along the East African coast, to remain
alert. The full updated text of these announcements, as well as
other travel information is available on the Internet at
http:/www.travel.state.gov. Additional threat information will be
provided by the RSO, as needed.


8. Security clearance and building access:
All visitors that posses a valid State Department Smart ID Card can
gain immediate access to the Embassy compound provided they have
received country clearance. All other visitors desiring unescorted
access into any Mission facility must ensure that their headquarters
provide the following in their travel message: clearance level (if
any),SSN, and agency granting clearance. Please send messages via
cable with the "ASEC" tag to ensure proper distribution to the RSO.


9. Travelers with USG-owned unclassified laptops or notebook
computers, peripherals, diskettes and tapes must receive RSO/IMO
authorization prior to being granted access to U.S. Mission
buildings. USG-owned classified computers must be sent to post via
classified diplomatic pouch. Classified equipment must bear
external USG bar-code inventory numbers and classification markings
commensurate with the highest level of information processed on the
system. Questions concerning other types of electronic devices and
magnetic media may be directed to the RSO and IMO.

LIST