Sudan Country Clearance Granted for S/CRS Eythan Sontag

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 000088 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OTRA AMGT APER ACOA ASEC SU SUBJECT: Sudan Country Clearance Granted for S/CRS Eythan Sontag Ref: STATE 004445 ¶1. (SBU) Embassy Khartoum welcomes and grants country clearance for S/CRS Eythan Sontag to travel to Khartoum to assist post from January 27 to April, 2007. ¶2. (SBU) U.S. citizens are reminded that Sudanese visas are now required for travel to all parts of Sudan. The Sudanese Government has informed us that it no longer recognizes SPLM clearances (see paragraph 7 for details.) ¶3. (SBU) CONTACT INFORMATION: Point of Contact for the visit is Pol/Econ Counselor Eric Whitaker, who can be reached on cell phone number 011-249-912159576. The Embassy switchboard number is 249-183-774-700 or 249-183-774-702. The Embassy may be contacted after hours by calling the local guard at Post One at 249-183-774-701. The Embassy is open from 08:00 to 16:30 Sunday through Thursday. ¶4. (U) Assistance will be provided at Khartoum International Airport on arrival. ¶5. (U) EXCHANGE RATE: Current exchange rate at post is 200 Sudanese Dinars to one USD. ¶6. (U) PASSPORT/VISA: ¶A. U.S. Citizens are reminded that Sudanese visas are now required for travel to all parts of Sudan. It is the traveler's responsibility to obtain a Sudanese visa prior to arrival in Khartoum. Please note that the Government of Sudan does not/not issue airport visas and currently does not permit entry of a traveler whose passport bears an Israeli stamp. ¶B. IF TRAVELING FROM THE UNITED STATES AND/OR A U.S. MISSION ABROAD: The Sudanese Government has a restrictive policy in regards to visa issuances to official American travelers. Official Americans should not begin their travel to Sudan without having obtained a Sudanese visa or having received notice that a visa has been authorized for issuance in another city. Recently the Sudanese Government has advised that official American travelers coming from Washington, DC, no longer need post's assistance in preparing diplomatic notes for visa issuance; travelers may apply directly to the Sudanese Embassy in Washington. For visa issuance from other Sudanese Embassies, official American travelers may have to contact the American Embassy in Khartoum for assistance. ¶7. (U) MEDICAL CLEARANCE: ¶A. All employees, including WAEs and civil service employees who are in TDY status for more than 60 days (cumulatively) in a calendar year, are required to have an up-to-date medical clearance from the Department of State Office of Medical Services (M/MED) in order to receive full State Department medical benefits from an Embassy Medical Unit, to include Embassy Khartoum Medical Unit. ¶B. MEDICAL CLEARANCE FOR PSC AND NON-PSC: As per State cable 201464, all contract workers (PSC and non-PSC, to include institutional contractors and grantees) must have a medical clearance issued from M/MED before arrival at post. A copy of this clearance is required by the Medical Unit on arrival at post before any Embassy Khartoum Medical Unit services can be provided. ¶C. IMMUNIZATIONS (DIRECT HIRE, WAE, TDYERS, PSC, AND NON-PSC): Please ensure that you complete all immunizations recommended by M/MED before arrival at post. Yellow fever and polio (IPV) are required at least 10 days before departure. Malaria prophylaxis is required for post and should commence 1 or 2 weeks before departure. Please ensure enough prophylaxis is issued to cover your TDY period at post. Upon arrival, travelers should visit the Medical Unit to register and receive further health information. Travelers' diarrhea is a common problem in Sudan. Only bottled water or distilled water should be used for drinking (this includes ice). Eat foods that are well cooked. Avoid fruits without peels, raw vegetables, salads, and local dairy products, which might not be pasteurized. At least 8-10 glasses of water or flu)ds areQrecmlEnef`to evgid duhdsat)ol A$topyg!| jsea4 pQpelnEnt enlQ elcree V0J 11-+1 ee"!h?&eeeefQed.Q2QQ*#XU),@BCOMWyLAkMXQBQS>=Q M(lAIQg