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
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