BURMA: WELCOME CABLE FOR STAFFDEL GROVE

UNCLAS RANGOON 000852 CODEL SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR H/PAUL RADEMACHER AND EAP/MLS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OREP AMGT ASEC AFIN BM SUBJECT: BURMA: WELCOME CABLE FOR STAFFDEL GROVE REF: STATE 115338 ¶1. Embassy Rangoon warmly welcomes the November 8-10 visit to Burma by Mr. Paul Grove from the Senate Appropriations Committee and Mr. Paul Rademacher from H. Post has forwarded a draft itinerary via unclassified email. ¶2. Embassy control officer is Political/Economic Chief Jennifer Harhigh, Telephone: (95-1) 536-509 x 4224, Fax: (95-1) 535-756, Cellular: 0951-24327, E-mail: HarhighJA@state.gov; assisted by Ethan Tidwell Political/ Economic Section, Telephone: (95-1) 536-509 x 4091, Fax: (95-1) 535-756, Cellular: 0951-37419, E-mail: TidwellJE@state.gov. ¶3. Hotel and Airport Transfer: Reservations have been made at the Savoy Hotel in Rangoon for the night of November 9, and 10, 2008 for a non-smoking room at US$60 net with breakfast (129 Dhammazedi Road, Rangoon, Burma Tel: (95-1) 256-289 Fax: (95-1) 524-891). Embassy Rangoon will pay room charges. You will be met at the airport by control officer and expeditor. ¶4. Burma Security Threat Assessment: Visitors to Burma should practice heightened security awareness and avoid crowded public places, including demonstrations, large public gatherings, and any area cordoned off by security forces. Official travelers can assume their actions in Burma are being closely monitored, particularly in hotel lobbies and rooms, when meeting Burmese citizens, and when using the telephone. Official visitors may not travel outside of Rangoon without Embassy approval. Local traffic can be confusing and hazardous; post recommends using taxis or rental cars with drivers when possible. Visitors should protect their valuables at all times while in public. Available medical care is not up to U.S. standard. ¶5. Action Request: Post requests security clearance information for Mr. Paul Grove. DINGER