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. �00A;--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