Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BUENOSAIRES736
2008-05-29 13:13:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Buenos Aires
Cable title:  

ARGENTINA: COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR AMBASSADOR MARK P. LAGON

Tags:  KCRM KWMN OTRA PHUM SMIG UY AR BR 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0002
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBU #0736/01 1501313
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 291313Z MAY 08
FM AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1192
INFO RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 6816
RUEHMN/AMEMBASSY MONTEVIDEO 7123
UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000736 

DEPARTMENT FOR INL, G/TIP: BARBARA FLECK

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KCRM KWMN OTRA PHUM SMIG UY AR BR
SUBJECT: ARGENTINA: COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR AMBASSADOR MARK P. LAGON
AND BARBARA FLECK, JUNE 18-21, 2008

REF: SECSTATE 55233

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000736

DEPARTMENT FOR INL, G/TIP: BARBARA FLECK

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KCRM KWMN OTRA PHUM SMIG UY AR BR
SUBJECT: ARGENTINA: COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR AMBASSADOR MARK P. LAGON
AND BARBARA FLECK, JUNE 18-21, 2008

REF: SECSTATE 55233


1. POST WARMLY WELCOMES AMBASSADOR MARK P. LAGON, DIRECTOR OF THE
OFFICE TO MONITOR AND COMBAT TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS (TIP),AND
BARBARA FLECK, G/TIP REPORTS AND POLITICAL AFFAIRS OFFICER, WHO WILL
TRAVEL TO ARGENTINA FROM JUNE 18-21, 2008. THE PURPOSE OF THE VISIT
IS TO OBTAIN AN UPDATE ON TIP ISSUES AND PROGRAMS, AND TO MEET WITH
GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS TO DISCUSS THE 2008 TIP REPORT AND
ANTI-TRAFFICKING EFFORTS IN-COUNTRY, AND ADVANCE USG
ANTI-TRAFFICKING OBJECTIVES THROUGH BILATERAL DISCUSSIONS.


2. CONTROL OFFICER FOR THIS VISIT WILL BE POLITICAL OFFICER HEIDI
GOMEZ. EMAIL: GOMEZHN@STATE.GOV; EMBASSY ADDRESS: AV. COLOMBIA

4300. EMBASSY PHONE 54-11-5777-4752 OR 4656; EMBASSY FAX
54-11-5777-4234. EMBASSY HOURS: 08:45 AM TO 05:45 PM.


3. ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT: A) IF ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES
ARE NECESSARY, REGARDLESS OF LENGTH OF STAY, THEN THE VISITOR MUST
BE ABLE TO PRESENT TO THE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT OFFICE THEIR TRAVEL
AUTHORIZATION (OR ANOTHER FUND CITE) IN ORDER TO PAY FOR DIRECT
COSTS OF THE VISIT. EACH AGENCY, ORGANIZATION, OR VISITING
DELEGATION WILL BE CHARGED FOR THE ACTUAL COSTS ATTRIBUTED TO THEIR
VISIT AND WILL BE ADVISED OF THIS ACTION. DIRECT CHARGE COSTS
INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO: AMERICAN AND LES STAFF OVERTIME,
FIELD TRAVEL-LODGING AND M&IE BY EMBASSY EMPLOYEES, VEHICLE RENTALS,
LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONE CALLS, EQUIPMENT RENTALS, OFFICE SUPPLIES,
INTERPRETATION SERVICES AND ALL OTHER COSTS THAT ARE DIRECTLY
ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE VISIT.

B) ALSO, FOR TDYERS STAYING OVER THIRTY (30) DAYS, THERE WILL BE A
CHARGE FOR ICASS SUPPORT SERVICES. IF YOUR SPONSORING AGENCY IS NOT
SIGNED UP FOR ICASS SERVICES AT POST, PLEASE BE PREPARED TO SIGN AN
MOU FOR ICASS SUPPORT SERVICES UPON ARRIVAL. THE AGENCY SHOULD
PROVIDE POST WITH WRITTEN COMMUNICATION GENERATED BY THE TRAVELER'S
HEADQUARTERS THAT CONFIRMS THE AGENCY WILL PAY ICASS CHARGES FOR THE
TDYERS, PROVIDE THE AGENCY ICASS BILLING CODE THE TDY SUPPORT
CHARGES SHOULD BE APPLIED TO, AND SHOULD AUTHORIZE THE TRAVELER TO
SIGN THE ICASS INVOICE GENERATED BY THE TDY MODULE. WHERE TRAVEL IS
URGENT, THE TDYERS SHOULD BRING THIS DOCUMENTATION WITH THEM TO

ENSURE THERE ARE NO INTERRUPTIONS IN THE PROVISION OF SERVICE. POST
WILL NOT PROVIDE ANY SERVICE TO A TDYER STAYING IN EXCESS OF THIRTY
DAYS WITHOUT PROVISION OF THIS DOCUMENTATION BEFORE DAY 31 OF THE
TDY.


4. POST HAS SECURED RESERVATIONS AT THE FOLLOWING HOTEL:

HOTEL EMPERADOR - BUENOS AIRES
LIBERTADOR 420
BUENOS AIRES - ARGENTINA
TEL.: (5411) 4131 - 4004
FAX: (5411) 4131 - 3910
DIRECTO: (5411) 4131 - 4007
GISELLEO@HOTEL-EMPERADOR.COM.AR
WWW.HOTEL-EMPERADOR.COM.AR

AMBASSADOR MARK LAGON
CHECK-IN: JUNE 19, 2008
CHECK-OUT: JUNE 21, 2008
NIGHTS: 2
1 NON-SMOKING ROOM
HOTEL RATE: USD 150.00 + 21% TAXES= USD 181.50
BREAKFAST IS INCLUDED
CONFIRMATION: 327118

MS. BARBARA FLECK
CHECK-IN: JUNE 18, 2008
CHECK-OUT: JUNE 21, 2008
NIGHTS: 3
1 NON-SMOKING ROOM
HOTEL RATE: USD 150.00 + 21% TAXES= USD 181.50
BREAKFAST IS INCLUDED
CONFIRMATION: 327120

CANCELLATIONS ARE PERMITTED AT NO CHARGE 48 HOURS PRIOR TO ARRIVAL,
AFTER THAT ONE NIGHT WILL BE CHARGED.

POST HAS ALSO SECURED AN INTERPRETER. THE RATE WILL BE
APPROXIMATELY $242 USD A DAY WHICH INCLUDES A 21% IVA TAX.

POST WILL PROVIDE MEET AND GREET ASSISTANCE AND TRANSPORTATION
THROUGHOUT THE AMBASSADOR'S STAY IN ARGENTINA.


5. VISAS: VISITORS ARE REMINDED THAT ARGENTINA REQUIRES VISAS IN US
DIPLOMATIC AND OFFICIAL PASSPORTS FOR OFFICIAL TRAVEL. PERSONS
TRAVELING ON OFFICIAL BUSINESS AND CARRYING DIPLOMATIC OR OFFICIAL
PASSPORTS WHO ARRIVE WITHOUT A VALID VISA MAY BE DENIED ENTRY AND
SENT BACK TO POINT OF ORIGIN. THE EMBASSY IS UNABLE TO SECURE ENTRY
OF TRAVELERS WHO ARRIVE WITHOUT VISAS.


6. AIRPORT TAX: OFFICIAL VISITORS, HOLDING DIPLOMATIC OR REGULAR

PASSPORTS, ARE REQUIRED TO PAY THE AIRPORT TAX. FOR INTERNATIONAL
FLIGHTS, THE TAX IS US $18 PER PASSENGER (VAT-EXEMPT) OR PESO
EQUIVALENT, PAYABLE IN CASH, WITH TRAVELER'S CHECKS OR CREDIT CARDS.



7. THREAT ASSESSMENT:


A. POLITICAL VIOLENCE/TERRORISM: LIAISON WITH HOST GOVERNMENT
POLICE AND SECURITY FORCES INDICATE THERE IS LITTLE THREAT TO U.S.
CITIZENS (OFFICIAL VISITORS, BUSINESS VISITORS, TOURISTS) FROM
INDIGENOUS TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS IN ARGENTINA. THERE ARE NO
VIOLENT DOMESTIC GROUPS CURRENTLY ACTIVE IN THIS COUNTRY THAT ARE
SPECIFICALLY TARGETING U.S. INTERESTS. HOWEVER, GIVEN THE PRESENCE
OF MEMBERS OF AND SUPPORT FOR EXTREMIST INTERNATIONAL TERRORIST
GROUPS SUCH AS HIZBOLLAH IN THE TRI-BORDER REGION OF ARGENTINA
(MISIONES PROVINCE),VISITORS HERE CANNOT DISCOUNT THE POSSIBILITY
OF TERRORIST ACTIVITY, TO INCLUDE RANDOM ACTS OF ANTI-AMERICAN
VIOLENCE.


8. EXCHANGE FACILITIES:

THE ARGENTINE PESO, WHICH IS CURRENTLY EXCHANGED AT A FLOATING RATE,
IS THE OFFICIAL CURRENCY. TRAVELERS CHECKS MAY BE ACCEPTED BY HOTELS
BUT ARE NOT WIDELY ACCEPTED BY OTHER BUSINESSES OR ESTABLISHMENTS.
THERE IS A WIDE NETWORK OF ATMS THAT HONOR US ISSUED
ATM/DEBIT/CREDIT CARDS ISSUING FUNDS IN PESOS. TRAVELERS ARE
REMINDED TO EXERCISE THE SAME CAUTION WHEN USING AN ATM AS ONE WOULD
IN THE UNITED STATES.


9. EMBASSY ACCESS: STATE DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES SHOULD BRING THEIR
STATE ID CARDS/BUILDING PASSES TO BUENOS AIRES TO FACILITATE ACCESS
TO THE CHANCERY.


10. TELEPHONE CALLS: AS REQUESTED ONE CELLPHONE WILL BE PROVIDED
WITH INTERNATIONAL DIALING ACCESS. TELEPHONE NUMBER WILL BE AS
FOLLOWS: 15-4198-8662


11. LAPTOP COMPUTERS/DIGITAL CAMERAS: LAPTOPS/PALM PILOTS, CELLULAR
PHONES AND OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES MAY NOT BE BROUGHT INTO THE
EMBASSY WITHOUT THE PRIOR APPROVAL OF THE REGIONAL SECURITY OFFICE.
PERSONALLY OWNED LAPTOPS/PALM PILOTS MAY NOT/NOT BE USED IN THE
EMBASSY. USG-OWNED LAPTOPS MAY ONLY BE USED IN CONTROLLED ACCESS
AREAS (CAA) IF THE USER CERTIFIES THAT THE COMPUTER HAS BEEN
CONTINUOUSLY UNDER THE PERSONAL CONTROL OF A CLEARED AMERICAN
THROUGHOUT TRANSIT. IF THIS REQUIREMENT IS NOT MET, THE LAPTOP CAN
ONLY BE USED OUTSIDE OF THE CAA. USG-OWNED PALM PILOTS ARE UNDER
THE SAME RESTRICTIONS AS CELLULAR PHONES AND OTHER ELECTRONIC
DEVICES, AND MAY NOT BE UTILIZED WITHIN THE CAA. AT THE EMBASSY,
ALL USG ISSUED OR PERSONAL CELLULAR PHONES MUST BE LEFT OUTSIDE OF
THE CAA. USE OF CELLULAR PHONES OUTSIDE OF THE CAA IS NOT
RESTRICTED. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT IF TRAVELER IS BRINGING A
CELLULAR PHONE INTO THE COUNTRY, ARGENTINE LAW REQUIRES THE TRAVELER
TO DECLARE THE PHONE, INCLUDING ITS VALUE, WHEN FILLING OUT THE
CUSTOMS AND IMMIGRATION DECLARATION FORM.


12. FOR FURTHER GENERAL INFORMATION REGARDING TRAVEL TO ARGENTINA,
TRAVELERS SHOULD CONSULT THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE INTERNET SITE AT
HTTP://TRAVEL.STATE.GOV/, WHICH INCLUDES THE LATEST CONSULAR
INFORMATION SHEET FOR ARGENTINA.


13. THIS TELEGRAM HAS BEEN CLEARED BY THE DEPUTY CHIEF OF MISSION.


14. VISIT THE EMBASSY BUENOS AIRES CLASSIFIED WEBPAGE AT:
HTTP://WWW.STATE.SGOV.GOV/P/WHA/BUENOSAIRES

WAYNE