COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR PDAS MCNERNEY AND

UNCLAS OTTAWA 000651 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OTRA CA SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR PDAS MCNERNEY AND DELEGATION REF: STATE 047323 ¶1. (SBU) Post grants country clearance for visit of PDAS Patricia McNerney, Kurt Kessler, Anthony Ruggiero and Jennifer Fowler to Ottawa on April 15-16 to meet with Canadian officials. ¶2. Embassy point of contact is Political Officer Keith Mines (613-688-5242). He can be reached by e-mail at Mineskw@state.gov. TDY visitors are not required to have visas. Please note that all air travelers must have a passport which is now a requirement for re-entering the U.S. by air travel. ¶3. Accommodations have been made at the Lord Elgin Hotel located at 100 Elgin St., Ottawa. Hotel telephone number is 613-235-3333 and fax is 613-235-3223. The rate for each room is C 170.00 plus taxes per night and includes a buffet breakfast. Confirmation numbers are McNerney/124, Fowler/120, Kessler/125 and Ruggiero/130. ¶4. Official visitors to Canada on TDY status for 30 days or more may be required to provide at the port of entry a letter from their home agency giving details of their stay, type of work/study, etc. and estimated date of departure. ¶5. Guidance on U.S. Government owned laptop computers and other electronic equipment (if planning to bring computers into mission Canada facilities): a) RSP and ISS must be advised of and concur with any proposed use of computers within mission facilities. b) Connection of laptop computers to Department of State system is strictly prohibited. c) Personally owned computers are not permitted within Mission Canada facilities. d) Cellular phones and personal digital assistant (PDA) are prohibited in CAA areas. ¶6. Mission Canada posts are considered medium threat for general crime but all visitors are requested to maintain appropriate vigilance. Official travelers are also encouraged to review security briefing materials available from the respective regional security office or management representative at posts where there is no assigned RSO. Visitors should keep a low profile, be alert to signs of surveillance, and vary routes. WILKINS