EMBASSY DOHA WARMLY WELCOMES CODEL BAIRD (DECEMBER

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DOHA 000837 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OREP AMGT ASEC AFIN KW AF PK QA IZ SUBJECT: EMBASSY DOHA WARMLY WELCOMES CODEL BAIRD (DECEMBER 2-3 AND 5-6) REF: STATE 125531 ¶1. Embassy Doha warmly welcomes the December 2-3 and 5-6 visits to Qatar of United States Representative Brian Baird; United States Representative Lincoln Davis; Dr. Nichloas Palarino, Senior Investigator and Policy Advisor, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform; Brooke Bennett, Professional Staff Member, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform; and Major Toby Patterson. ¶2. Point of contact: Embassy Control Officer is Political Officer David Caudill. Contact information for Control Officer is: Work Phone: 974-496-6753; Fax: 974-488-6709; Mobile: 974-552-7390; Email: CaudillDR@state.gov. ¶3. The Embassy workweek is Sunday through Thursday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Friday and Saturday are weekend days. Qatar time is EST plus 8 hours. Embassy contact numbers are: Switchboard: 974-488-4101; Fax: 974-488-4298; After Hours Duty Officer: 974-553-1085. ¶4. Accommodation: Post has reserved rooms within the per diem rate for both legs of the visit at the Ramada Plaza Hotel; Telephone 974-428-1428; Fax 974-441-0941 . ¶5. Arrival in Qatar: Visitors will be met on arrival by an embassy driver/expediter. ¶6. Every civilian entering Qatar through Al Udeid Air Base MUST acquire a Qatari visa in advance of arrival. Department of Defense and military personnel may, however, enter on their CAC card AND a copy of their military orders. It is essential that these requirements be met, since there is no provision for acquiring a visa or waiving the visa requirement at the base. The following is standard information provided to all official visitors: ¶7. All bags are subject to inspection and x-raying upon arrival, including those of diplomatic passport holders. ¶8. Electronic Devices: Only U.S. government-owned electronic devices are authorized for use within the Embassy. Laptops, personal computers, and all types of cameras (cell phones with camera and digital cameras) must have prior approval from the Regional Security Officer (RSO). Unclassified portable computers intended for use within the CAA on a long-term basis (over 30 days) must be shipped via professional or non-pro Diplomatic courier. Classified portable computers must remain within the CAA at all times. ¶9. Sensitivity toward host country customs must be observed. Revealing dress should not be worn. Qatari customs authorities prohibit the importation of alcohol, pork products, and materials that might be deemed suggestive or pornographic. Such items will be confiscated at the airport and not returned. All videotapes will be confiscated for review. Alcoholic beverages are available only in hotel restaurants. In observance of local customs, most shops in Doha close from 1300 to 1630 hours. ¶10. Travelers should arrive with sufficient funds (cash, travelers checks, credit cards) to cover their stay in country. Local hotels and vendors do not accept personal checks. The Embassy has limited accommodation exchange facilities. Currency exchange is available at the airport and hotel. The current exchange rate is 3.64 Qatari Riyals to one U.S. Dollar. Cirrus and Plus money cards may be used at most local ATM machines, which operate at hotels. ¶11. Summer temperatures in Qatar (April - October) range from the mid 100's to the low 120's with high humidity. Dust storms and can add to the discomfort of the extreme summer temperatures. Winter temperatures (November - March) range from the mid 60's to low 80's. ¶12. Security: Travelers are urged to keep informed of American actions in the region, exercise due vigilance, and maintain unpredictable patterns while residing at post. Crime is at a low level. Petty crime and thefts from hotel rooms are infrequent but have occurred in the past. Travelers should refer to travel warnings and public announcements issued regarding travel in the region. Employees and accompanying family members should contact the Security Office on arrival for a thorough security briefing. The State Department's Consular Information Sheet for Qatar can be found at: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis pa DOHA 00000837 002 OF 002 tw/cis/cis 1003. LeBaron