Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BANDARSERIBEGAWAN106
2008-04-04 10:03:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Cable title:  

COUNTRY CLEARANCE TO BRUNEI GRANTED FOR ADMIRAL

Tags:  MASS MARR MOPS PREL PGOV BX 
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VZCZCXYZ0014
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBD #0106/01 0951003
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 041003Z APR 08
FM AMEMBASSY BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
TO RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY
INFO RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA PRIORITY 0092
RUEHJA/AMEMBASSY JAKARTA PRIORITY 0338
RUEHGP/AMEMBASSY SINGAPORE PRIORITY 3392
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN 000106 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

PACOM FOR ADMIRAL KEATING
EMBASSIES DHAKA, JAKARTA, AND SINGAPORE FOR DAO

E.O. 12958: DECL: AFTER CONCLUSION OF THE VISIT
TAGS: MASS MARR MOPS PREL PGOV BX
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE TO BRUNEI GRANTED FOR ADMIRAL
KEATING AND OFFICIAL PARTY

REF: A. HONOLULU 1815 030248Z APR 08

B. BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN 00105

Classified By: Ambassador Emil M. Skodon, reasons 1.4 (a),(b) & (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN 000106

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

PACOM FOR ADMIRAL KEATING
EMBASSIES DHAKA, JAKARTA, AND SINGAPORE FOR DAO

E.O. 12958: DECL: AFTER CONCLUSION OF THE VISIT
TAGS: MASS MARR MOPS PREL PGOV BX
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE TO BRUNEI GRANTED FOR ADMIRAL
KEATING AND OFFICIAL PARTY

REF: A. HONOLULU 1815 030248Z APR 08

B. BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN 00105

Classified By: Ambassador Emil M. Skodon, reasons 1.4 (a),(b) & (d)


1. (C) Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan warmly welcomes and grants
country clearance to Brunei from April 8 to 9, 2008 to
Admiral Timothy J. Keating and the following members of the
Admiral's official party:
Mrs. Wandalee Keating
Ambassador Gene B. Christy
Mr. Paul Hanely
Mr. Angelo Manginelli
CAPT Gregory M. Nosal
CMSGT James A. Roy
LT COL Timrek C. Heisler
LT COL Guillermo J. Tellez
LT COL Jennifer L. Hughes
LCDR Christine R. O'Connell
LCDR Amy Derrick-Frost
MAJ Stephen Ma
MAJ Kristin Means
Ms. Donna Miles
MSGT David H. Westing
Mr. Glen T. Lukasik
YNC Ganette M. Rodriguez
YNC Jermaine Milford
IT1 Jennifer R. Chapman
MC2 Elisia Gonzales
MR. Pia M. Teves
SGT Ronald Shriver III


2. (SBU) Purpose of the visit is to meet with Royal Brunei
Armed Forces counterparts.


3. (SBU) Control Officer for the visit is DCM Justin
Friedman, tel: (673) 222-9670; fax: (673) 222 5293; mobile:
(673) 872-6672; SBU email: FriedmanJ@state.gov; Classified
email: FriedmanJ@state.sgov.gov.


4. (SBU) The U.S. Embassy is located at Teck Guan Plaza,
Third Floor, Jalan Sultan, Bandar Seri Begawan BS8811. The
after-hours and Duty Officer telephone number is: (673)
873-0691.


5. (SBU) Hotel reservations for Admiral Keating and his
official party have been made at The Empire Hotel from
04/08/08 to 04/09/08; tel: (673) 241-7894; fax: (673) 2418989.


6. (U) Visas: Visas are not/not needed for this delegation.
Post will facilitate entry processing on arrival.


7. (U) Brunei and Singapore currencies are interchangeable.
Currency exchange is available at the airport, the hotel or
at Citibank across the street from the Embassy. Rates at the
bank and commercial moneychangers are substantially better
than those in the hotel. Bank hours are Monday through
Friday 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 11:00
a.m. Local currency can also be obtained from autoteller
machines (ATM) at most shopping outlets. American Express,
Mastercard and Visa are widely accepted in Brunei. Current
exchange rate is 1USD = 1.37 Brunei Dollars.


8. (U) Threat assessment: Please see the latest Department
travel advisory for SE Asia and post consular information
sheet at http://travel.state.gov. Currently, there are no
known threats directed against American citizens or U.S.
Government personnel and interests in Brunei. The crime rate
in Brunei is medium and violent crime is rare. Visitors
should still practice prudent security precautions such as
not traveling alone late at night or in secluded areas.
Report any suspicious activity to the RSO.


9. (C) Drugs and Firearms: Travelers should be aware that
importation of firearms is prohibited. Post is working on
the special clearance request for the delegation and will
advise the travelers directly when that is received from the
GOB. Penalties for breaking the law can be severe.
Trafficking in and illegal importation of controlled drugs
are very serious offenses in Brunei and carry a mandatory
death penalty.


10. (U) Alcoholic beverages: There are no outlets for
purchasing alcoholic beverages in Brunei. Non-muslim
visitors are permitted to bring in 12 bottles of beer and two

BANDAR SER 00000106 002 OF 002


bottles of wine/spirits for personal consumption. A customs
declaration form must be completed upon arrival.
SKODON