Country Clearance for DHS Employee Joseph Martin

UNCLAS ULAANBAATAR 000222 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OTRA PREF MG SUBJECT: Country Clearance for DHS Employee Joseph Martin ¶1. We welcome and grant country clearance to JOSEPH MARTIN for travel to ULAANBAATAR, MONGOLIA. The purpose of the visit to Mongolia is for case processing during April 16 to April 23, 2007. ¶2. POC: Your point of contact is Lisa Conner, Consular Section Chief. Contact numbers are as follows: --Office Telephone Number: (976-11) 329-095, x4755; --Cellular Number: (976) 9904-9072; --Fax Number is (976-11) 320-776; 353-788; --Home Number: (976-11) 324-626; 313-016 --Email Address: ConnerLG@state.gov --Duty Officer Number: (976) 9911-4168. ¶3. VOUCHERS: Post has limited staff and resources. TDY travelers visiting post for less than 30 days should pay all travel bills and then voucher the expense when they return to their duty station. ¶4. HOTEL: A room has been reserved for you within per diem at the Ulaanbaatar Hotel, with a daily rate of US $102.00. The rate includes VAT and breakfast. The hotel's telephone number is (976-11) 320-620, and its fax number is (976-11) 324-485. Please provide the hotel administration with your credit card information upon arrival to allow them enough time to process the charges. ¶5. ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE: A driver will meet and assist you at the airport. If you are bringing atypical equipment or have special needs, please contact your POC or Embassy GSO Assistant Mr. Tamir at TamirE@state.gov. As soon as you arrive in Ulaanbaatar, please have your POC or the Embassy Travel Assistant assist you to reconfirm your onward air tickets. Even with purchased tickets this is required to guarantee your seat. Official passport holders must pay an airport fee at the time of their departure if it is not already included in the ticket price. Travelers should check with the travel assistant if they have any questions. ¶6. VISA: A visa is not required for Mongolia. If you will travel via Beijing, you must have a valid Chinese visa for each time you land in China. This means a double-entry visa if your itinerary is Beijing-Ulaanbaatar-Beijing. The Chinese require a visa even to transit between two international flights. If you don't have a valid (unused) visa, the airline will not let you board, and your travel will be delayed. ¶7. DOMESTIC AIR TRAVEL RESTRICTION: The U.S. Embassy prohibits U.S. government personnel use of the domestic services of MIAT and all services of Hangard and Trans-Ulgii for official travel because of uncertainties regarding service and maintenance schedules, aircraft certification and insurance status. This prohibition does not extend to MIAT's international flights. ¶8. EXPORT LIMITS: Mongolia limits the export of art, antiques, and icons. Reputable art and antique dealers can give you documents that will let you export what you buy. Customs duties, however, may apply, and you must be ready to pay in cash (not credit card). We can give you more information. ¶9. SECURITY SITUATION: Mongolia and Ulaanbaatar are generally safe places to visit. Mongolians accept foreigners readily and are congenial hosts. There is no known specific threat to Americans. However, the poor economic situation and obviousness of foreigners makes us easy targets for petty crime. We strongly recommend that you carry only the money you expect to need and leave your passport, wallet, and other valuables in the hotel's safekeeping. We recommend that you be especially cautious at night and in crowded public places, such as the "black market," within and in front of the State Department shopping store, and anywhere foreigners frequent. Pickpocketing is an increasing problem. ¶10. HEALTH CARE: Health care for Embassy personnel and visitors is provided by the Embassy's Health Unit and the SOS International Clinic in Ulaanbaatar. The Embassy's Health Unit's telephone number is (976-11) 313-133. The hours of operation are Monday through Friday 08:30 am - 5:00pm. For appointments please contact Health Unit by (976-11) 313-133, (976-11) 329-095-4556 or Suvdaa at 9909-2876. After hours please call Medical Unit Duty Phone at 9904-0261. The SOS International Clinic's telephone/fax number is (976-11) 342-550. The clinic is expensive and requires payment upon receipt of services. It is important that your health insurance is up to date. Filling an insurance claim is the responsibility of the visitor. SOS International takes MasterCard, Visa, or cash as payment. ¶11. GENERAL MEDICAL INFORMATION: We suggest that you talk with your medical office about recommended inoculations. Over-the-counter drugs such as cold, fever, and painkiller medications are not readily available. Plan to bring enough over-the-counter and prescription medicines to last your entire time in Mongolia. You should take health precautions in Mongolia: drink only bottled or boiled drinks, and eat only hot, freshly prepared food. Also, we recommend that you wear sturdy shoes with good traction. ¶12. WEATHER: Ulaanbaatar has an extreme continental climate. The weather is unpredictable. It can be cold anytime September through May, and is extremely cold November through February. Summertime temperatures can approach 100 degrees Fahrenheit but may dip into the 50's. Spring is an uncertain time of year, with occasional high winds and snow. We recommend you be prepared with layers of clothing and warm, sturdy footwear. Several internet sites, including Yahoo! Weather, give forecasts for Ulaanbaatar. ¶13. DOLLARS AND TUGRUGS: Mongolia's financial infrastructure is still limited. Traveler's checks are rarely accepted. Mongolia is a predominantly cash based economy. Cash advance can be taken at banks. Western-oriented businesses and hotels accept credit cards - Visa, MasterCard, and American Express. Hotels provide official currency exchange. ATMs are infrequent and unreliable. The few existing units are VISA only. ¶14. WEBSITE: Please visit our Embassy website at http://ulaanbaatar.usembassy.gov . It provides interesting and useful information. Mongolia is a beautiful and fascinating country; we hope you will have a chance to see a bit of it after work hours. ¶15. We look forward to your arrival. Regards. GOLDBECK