COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR CODEL MICHAEL THOMPSON + 3

UNCLAS MEXICO 001195 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS FOR H - LMO AND JOHN CARTER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OREP AMGT ASEC AFIN MX SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR CODEL MICHAEL THOMPSON + 3 REF: STATE 38978 ¶1. Post warmly welcomes and grants country clearance to Representative Michael Thompson (D-CA),Mr. Curtis Flood, Mr. Larry Hannauer, and Ms. Meghann Courter for travel to Mexico City from April 24-26, 2008. ¶2. Post control officer for the visit is Political Officer Frank Penirian, telephone 52 (55) 5080-2417; fax 52 (55) 5080-2247; e-mail PeniriakFK@state.gov. ¶3. Post control officer will be at the airport to meet CODEL Thompson and staff. ¶4. Hotel reservations have been made at the Sheraton Hotel Maria Isabel, Paseo de la Reforma 325, Col. Cuauhtemoc, Mexico City, D.F. 06500, telephone 011-52-55-5242-5555; fax 011-52-55-5207, at the government rate of $204.75 per night, breakfast and gym included. The following confirmation numbers apply: (1) 346538708; (2) 406538708; (3) 376538708; (4) 396538708 ¶5. The Department of State has designated Mexico City as a critical threat post due to the high level of crime and the ineffectiveness and corruption of Mexican law enforcement. Robberies at gunpoint, pick pocketing, purse snatching, taxicab abductions and quick-kidnappings continue to cause us concern. Any hotel selected for you by the embassy will be safe, but it is still wise to store all valuables in a room safe or in a safe deposit box. Leaving expensive-looking jewelry at home and wearing a plastic watch will significantly improve your security profile. The Embassy cautions travelers that they should never hail a cruising taxi (or "libre" taxi) but should instead use airport-sanctioned taxis, taxis operating from fixed sites ("sitios),or a cab called for you by your hotel. ¶6. Mexico does have health concerns. You should take normal tourist precautions with regard to drinking water, eating fresh fruits, vegetables and salads. Some employees react to the pollution and high altitude; so take things slowly at first. Travelers to Mexico City may require some time to adjust to the altitude (7000 ft.),which can adversely affect blood pressure, digestion, sleep, and energy level. Individuals with sickle cell trait should consult with the appropriate medical unit or their personal physician before commencing with travel. Short-term (TDY) assignments carry an added risk because of the lack of time to acclimatize. Dehydration, stress, or illnesses compound the basic risks of high altitude. ¶7. We encourage you to access further security and health related information as well as post access regulations for the region you are visiting at the Mission Mexico intranet homepage at http://mexicocity.state.gov/IntraMissMex.html or http://www.usembassy-mexico.gov. Visit Mexico City's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/mexicocity and the North American Partnership Blog at http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/nap / BASSETT