SPAIN COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR CODEL HASTINGS

UNCLAS MADRID 002145

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/WE
H AND RM/F/DFS/FO/AA/CAA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AMGT ASEC OREP OTRA SP
SUBJECT: SPAIN COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR CODEL HASTINGS

REF: SECSTATE 157336


1. Embassy grants country clearance and warmly welcomes U.S.
Representative Alcee Hastings and accompanying delegation to
travel to Madrid, Spain on or about November 25 to December

02. The purpose of travel is to attend the Organization on
Security Meeting and the 15th OSCE Ministerial Council.


2. Valerie O'Brien is the point of contact and can be
reached at embassy number 34 91 587 2503, blackberry number
667 554 334 and email address is O'brienVC@state.gov. Omar
Bsaies, General Services Officer is the Admninistrative
contact and can be reached at embassy number 34 91 587 2223,
blackberry number 620 74 3446 and email address is
BsaiesOA@state.gov.


3. Hotel reservations have been made at the Gran Melia Fenix
on Hermosilla, 2 telephone number is 34 91 431 6700 and fax
number is 34 91 576 0661. The room rate is $280 and it does
not include the breakfast buffett.


4. Visitors are reminded that bearers of diplomatic and
official passports coming to Spain on official business need
to obtain a Spanish visa prior to arrival to Spain.


5. Post can provide DoS email access via OpenNet
(unclassified system) to State Department travelers who have
active OpenNet accounts. Post can also support users who wish
to access their email accounts using FOBs or OWA. Exchange
5.5 users (ask your system manager to provide Exchange server
version) who have to use remote login to access their
exchange email accounts will need to provide Post,s IM
section with the name of their DoS Domain and their Exchange
Server name and/or IP address.


6. THREAT ASSESSMENT:

In general, Spain is safe. However, Madrid, Barcelona and
other large cities in Spain -- including resort/convention
areas such as Benidorm -- attract a large number of criminals
and pickpockets and frequent incidents of crime of
opportunity against the unwary do occur. Carry only
essential items including a photocopy of your passport's
photo page. Visitors can protect themselves against crime by
being street-smart, alert and aware of their surroundings.
In the event you are victimized by crime, or experience any
security-related incident, please contact the Embassy's
Regional Security Office at 91-587-2550 or after hours at
91-587-2355. Official visitors to the Embassy in Madrid or
the Consulate General in Barcelona are encouraged to receive
a security briefing from the RSO office at their earliest
convenience. Additional information regarding safety and
security in Spain is available on the U.S. Department of
State's website (www.embusa.es).

Travelers are encouraged to review the most recent Worldwide
Caution issued by the Department of State. As the Department
of State continues to develop information on any potential
security threats to Americans overseas, it shares credible
threat information through its Consular Information Program
documents, available on the Internet at
http://travel/state.gov. In addition to information on the
Internet, U.S. travelers can hear recorded information by
calling the Department of State in Washington, D.C. at
202-647-5225 from their touch-tone telephone, or receive
information by automated telefax by dialing 202-647-3000 from
their fax machine.
LLORENS