Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BUDAPEST843
2008-08-26 08:13:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Budapest
Cable title:  

BUDAPEST COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR CODEL LUGAR

Tags:  OREP AMGT ASEC AFIN HU 
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VZCZCXYZ0021
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHUP #0843 2390813
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 260813Z AUG 08
FM AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3317
INFO RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 0216
RUEHRL/AMEBASSY BERLIN 0326
RUEHBS/AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS 0248
RUEHBM/AMEMBASSY BUCHAREST 1431
RUEHKV/AMEMBASSY KYIV 0131
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0294
RUEHSI/AMEMBASSY TBILISI 0250
UNCLAS BUDAPEST 000843 

SIPDIS

EUR/NCE FOR JAMIE LAMORE, H FOR CODEL LUGAR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OREP AMGT ASEC AFIN HU
SUBJECT: BUDAPEST COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR CODEL LUGAR

REF: STATE 73049

UNCLAS BUDAPEST 000843

SIPDIS

EUR/NCE FOR JAMIE LAMORE, H FOR CODEL LUGAR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OREP AMGT ASEC AFIN HU
SUBJECT: BUDAPEST COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR CODEL LUGAR

REF: STATE 73049


1. Embassy Budapest welcomes and grants country clearance to
Senator Richard Lugar and staff to visit Budapest August
29-30, 2008, for consultations with Hungarian government
officials and private sector representatives.


2. Reservations have been made for the CODEL at the Marriott
Hotel for the night of August 29, 2008. Room rate is USD
153.00 per night, including breakfast. Address: Apaczai
Csere J. u. 4, H-1052 Budapest V; phone: 36-1-486-5000; fax:
36-1-486-5005. Confirmation numbers: 80160439 (Lugar),
80163872 (Myers, Jr.),80163869 (Myers III),80163876
(Brown),80163877 (Fisher),80161478 (McGuffie),80163890
(Howell). The International Herald Tribune is available upon
request and will be billed to the individual rooms.


3. The CODEL will be met at the airport by the control
officer for this visit, Ms. Aspen Russell. Ms. Russell's
contact information is as follows: office phone:
361-475-4226, cell phone: 06-30-455-9549, fax: 361-475-4027,
e-mail:russellah@state.gov. The Embassy is located at
Szabadsag ter 12, District 5. The Embassy's telephone number
is: 36-1-475-4400. Current rate of exchange is HUF 157 to
the U.S. dollar. Accommodation exchange facilities are
available at the airport and at the hotel.


4. For U.S. citizens, visas are not/not required in
diplomatic, official, or tourist passports for stays in
Hungary of less than 90 days. A visa is needed in any type
of passport for stays over 90 days.


5. There have been no acts of terrorism directed against U.S.
interests in Hungary. However, the U.S. Government remains
deeply concerned about the security of U.S. citizens
overseas. The Department of State issued a worldwide caution
on April 10, 2008, to warn U.S. citizens of the continuing
threat of terrorist actions that may target U.S. citizens.
This worldwide caution expires on October 9, 2008.


6. Although appreciably low by U.S. standards, Budapest has
petty thefts and pickpockets like most urban centers.
Budapest visitors are cautioned to be wary of currency scams.
Routine scams include overcharging at clubs, cafes, and
restaurants around Vaci Street (the central pedestrian area),
and local ladies offering to practice their English language
skills at a local pub with drinks which are outrageously
overpriced. Specific clubs and restaurants engaging in
unethical business practices and local nightspots of
questionable reputation should be avoided and have been
identified in the Budapest consulate web site,
www.usembassy.hu. Violent criminal acts are rare; visitors
can best ensure their personal safety by exercising the same
common sense security precautions and good judgment that one
would employ in any other large, cosmopolitan area.


7. Privately-owned laptops and personal computers, including
personal digital assistants (PDAs),are prohibited for use in
the Chancery. Cellular phones are prohibited in Controlled
Access Areas (CAAs). Travelers with USG-owned unclassified
laptop or notebook computers, peripherals, diskettes and
tapes must obtain RSO IMO authorization for access.
USG-owned classified computers must arrive at post via
classified diplomatic pouch, bear bar code inventory number
and be marked with the highest classification level of
information processed on the system. Questions concerning
other types of electronic devices and magnetic media should
be directed to Post's IMO, ISSO, or RSO.
Foley