BUDAPEST COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR CODEL LUGAR

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