COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED - ACSS Seminar Blantyre

UNCLAS LILONGWE 000662

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MASS MARR PREL OTRA MI
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED - ACSS Seminar Blantyre

REF: NDUACSSWAS 8233723


1. American Embassy Lilongwe grants country clearance and welcomes
the visit of the following ACSS staff from September 8-26, 2007 to
Malawi to coordinate support for the Africa Center for Strategic
Studies Seminar on Managing
Security Resources in Africa in Blantyre, Malawi:

- AMB (RET.) PETER CHAVEAS
- MR. CLIFFORD HOWARD BERNATH
- COL. ANTONIO PINHEIRO
- DR. MONDE MUYANGWA
- DR. RAYMOND GILPIN
- DR. ANDRE L. LESAGE
- MR. MICHAEL BOWERBANK
- MS. VICTORIA GARCIA
- MS. CYNTHIA FIGOLI
- MR. ENOCH SARBENG
- MR. PATRICK KNOX
- MR. DAVID BENNETT
- MS. MARY MCGURN
- MS. WHITNEY JENSEN
- MR. ANGELO SOMMER
- MS. CHIDI BLYDEN

Control Officer for the visit will be Political Officer John Letvin
- office telephone number 265-1-773-166, ext. 3463; e-mail:
letvinjc@state.gov.


2. Accommodations
Not requested


3. Airport Departure Tax
Regardless of diplomatic or other official status, all departing air
travelers are subject to an airport departure tax of thirty U.S.
dollars ($30),which must be paid in U.S. dollars. Today's exchange
rate is USD 1.00 to 142.006 Malawi Kwacha.


4. Foreign Exchange
Banking services are very limited throughout Malawi and there are no
ATM machines. Further, the country is experiencing a shortage of
hard currency and it is particularly difficult to obtain U.S.
dollars even via accommodation exchanges with the embassy cashier.
Whereas the Embassy Cashier will cash travelers checks, usually for
Malawi Kwacha only at the current exchange rate posted by
RAMC-Paris, the local money changers normally charge a 10% fee. For
all of these reasons, travelers are advised to consider bringing a
small, whatever is reasonable amount of U.S. dollars if they are
planning any personal in-country travel.


5. Airport Transfer
All visitors should check in with their host agency executive office
at their earliest opportunity.


6. Cellular Telephones
Cellular telephones are available for rent at the airport for
travelers requiring such capability. The cost is approximately
$2.50 per day plus a refundable deposit of $200. Calling cards may
be purchased in denominations of $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, and $50.


7. Climate
Malawi's climate is generally subtropical. There is little to no
rainfall throughout most of the country from May to October. It is
hot and humid from October to April along the lake and in the Lower
Shire Valley. Lilongwe is also hot and humid during these months,
albeit far less than in the south. The rest of the country is warm
during those months. From June through August, the lake areas and
far south are comfortably warm, but the rest of Malawi can be chilly
at night, with temperatures ranging from 5o-14oC or 41o-57oF.


8. What to wear
Visitors are particularly requested to observe local dress customs,
which strongly emphasized modesty under the former president. While
attitudes and customs have changed so that women wearing trousers
and women and men wearing shorts is acceptable in urban and tourist
areas, in outlying villages it is still inappropriate for women to
appear without wearing a skirt or long dress. This can be easily
accomplished by tying a wrap around the waist to cover shorts,
trousers, or short skirts. The wraps, called chitenjes or khangas,
are inexpensive, readily available in local markets, and, as a
bonus, are usually quite beautiful. In sum, Malawians are very
conventional and conservative people and our display of obvious
respect for their customs and traditions
goes a long way toward furthering our mutual relations, and this is
particularly so in the rural areas.


9. Excess Baggage
Officials at Kamuzu International Airport can be very strict
concerning excess baggage; and because fees for excess baggage are
not posted, travelers run the risk of incurring excessive charges.
Therefore, when appropriate for reasons of official business, post
recommends that visitors have an excess baggage allowance added to
their tickets at the time of purchase.


10. Flight Reconfirmation
Because flights from Lilongwe are frequently overbooked, travelers
are encouraged to reconfirm onward travel.


11. Health
Travelers to Malawi should check with their agency's medical unit
several weeks before arrival in Lilongwe to receive recommended
immunizations and to begin malaria prophylaxis. Malaria is a
significant health problem in Malawi. Swimmers should be aware of
the risk of contracting schistosomiasis. Although tap water is
treated in the major cities, quality varies and it is not always
safe for drinking. Do not drink water outside of the cities;
bottled water is readily available in stores and in restaurants.
HIV/AIDS is prevalent in Malawi and visitors should exercise extreme
caution at all times to avoid contact that might result in HIV/AIDS
transmission.

A yellow fever vaccination received within the last ten years and
evidenced with a World Health Organization International Certificate
of Vaccinations may be required for entry into Malawi.


12. Security
During your visit to Malawi, you should use the same security
precautions you would exercise in any urban area of the developing
world. Carjacking and robberies occur throughout Malawi and all
visitors should use caution. You should not carry personal
valuables or large amounts of currency when visiting the downtown
areas of Lilongwe or Blantyre. We recommend that you not venture
out alone at night. Given the high rate of vehicular accidents, use
of USG
vehicles outside urban areas after dark is prohibited and the
mission strongly discourages individuals from driving their private
vehicles outside urban areas after dark.


13. Threat Assessment
Malawi is rated critical for crime. Porous borders, easily acquired
small arms, and an under-resourced police service provide an easy
environment for criminals. Besides petty thefts, the majority of
reported crimes are car-jackings and burglaries. Even though there
are no known terrorist organizations
operating in Malawi, the conditions noted above also allow for a
possible, undetected terrorist presence. The current government was
democratically elected in 1994, then re-elected in 1999 and 2004.
Malawi currently enjoys political stability with few instances of
civil unrest or public demonstrations.


14. Travel
Malawi is a long and narrow country, covering more than 1000 km from
North to South. The geography is dominated by the tranquil waters
of Lake Malawi, nearly 600km long and up to 80km wide, bordering the
east of the country. It is the greatest attraction for visitors to
this peaceful place well known for its friendly people, golden
shores, and stunning natural scenery. Malawi also has eleven
national parks and game reserves where everything from elephants to

orchids are protected. The three national parks of Lengwe, Liwonde,
and Lake Malawi National Park are located in the south; Kasungu
National Park is in the
central region; and Nyika National Park is in the north.
Additionally, game reserves are accessible from all parts of the
country.


15. Visas
U.S. citizens bearing diplomatic, official or tourist passports do
not require visas when entering Malawi for business or vacation.
For longer-term stays that
require a residency visa, the embassy's Consular Section will assist
you.


16. TAKULANDIRANI or MWALANDILIDWA! Welcome to Malawi, the warm
heart of Africa.

EASTHAM