COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR LUKAS KOHLER AND MATHEW

UNCLAS SOFIA 000721

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OTRA BU
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR LUKAS KOHLER AND MATHEW
HAARSAGER

REF: DTG: 131743Z NOV 08


1. Embassy warmly welcomes and grants country clearance for Mr.
Lukas Kohler and Mr. Mathew Haarsager, from November 15 - 17, 2008.
The purpose of this visit is to hold discussions with Bulgarian
financial and government officials. PLEASE NOTE: a Visa is required
for official and diplomatic visitors, regardless of length of stay.


2. Point of contact for this visit is Kelly Adams-Smith, who may be
reached at +359 2 937-5220 office; +359 886-000-266 mobile, e-mail:
AdamsSmithKE@state.gov.


3. All cleared U.S. citizens on official business, who will be in
Bulgaria longer than two weeks, must contact the Regional Security
Office at 359-2-937-5316 upon arrival in Bulgaria.


4. The U.S. Embassy office building is located at 16 Kozyak Street,
1407 Sofia (in the Lozenets district). The Embassy telephone number
is 359-2-937-5100; the general fax number is 359-2-937-5320.


5. Per diem for Sofia is USD 151.00 (lodging) and USD 82.00 (M&IE).


6. All Department of State issued Global ID (GLID) badges are
accepted at Post. If visitor has a GLID badge, they are encouraged
to bring it with them to Post, but should be prepared to show
additional ID before being allowed on compound.


7. Important Travel Information: All U.S. visitors require a valid
U.S. passport to enter Bulgaria. Official and diplomatic passports
do/do require visas regardless of length of stay. Tourist/tourist
passports do not require a visa for visits of less than thirty days.
All foreigners entering Bulgaria are required to declare the purpose
of their visit and the address where they intend to stay. The
declaration card will be issued either on the airplane before
arrival, or at the point of entry.


8. Computer access at Embassy: If travelers wish to access their
State Department e-mail accounts, or work on an embassy computer
while in Sofia, they need to know their home office exchange server
data and domain name in order to establish a temporary account. With
this information, Sofia IPC can initiate an account within a few
hours after receiving signed request forms once travelers are in
Sofia. Please note: while in Sofia, visitors will not be able to log
on, or have access to, State Department systems and/or intranet
without establishing their own temporary Sofia account.


9. Customs Declaration Requirement: Bulgarian law requires that
travelers entering Bulgaria with more than 8,000 Bulgarian leva
(around USD 5,000) or the equivalent in foreign currency, travelers
checks, gems, gold or silver, must declare the money, checks and/or
valuables to customs officials upon arrival. Travelers entering
Bulgaria with any amount of cut or uncut gems, un-worked gold or
silver, must also declare these valuables. Americans intending to
declare money or valuables who enter Bulgaria through Sofia Airport
are strongly encouraged to use the red, Something to Declare, line
and not the green, Nothing to Declare, line at Customs, even if
specifically invited into the green line by a Customs official. The
Bulgarian government considers entry through the green line to be a
formal, irrevocable, declaration that the traveler is carrying less
than the allowable amount, and Customs authorities have sometimes
confiscated travelers' entire funds if they are carrying undeclared
cash in excess of the allowed amount. Travelers should also declare
jewelry, cameras, computers, and other valuables upon arrival in
order to avoid difficulties when departing.


10. Electronic devices: Privately owned laptops and personal
computers, peripherals, diskettes and tapes are prohibited in the
controlled access area (CAA) of the Embassy. Travelers with USG
unclassified and classified laptop or notebook computers,
peripherals and diskettes and tapes should notify the Regional
Security Office before bringing this equipment to post. RSO approval
must be obtained before any electronic device may be brought into
the CAA. Cellular phones are also prohibited in the CAA and must be
left outside this area in one of the lockers. Questions concerning
other types of electronic devices and magnetic media may be directed
to the RSO.


11. Crime and Safety: Sofia currently has a high criminal threat
designation, although most crime involving visitors does not involve
violence or the threat of violence. Pickpockets are especially
prevalent in public places, and auto theft is increasing. Moreover,
commercial air travelers should be aware that pilferage of luggage
does sometimes occur at Sofia airport. Therefore, no valuable items
should be included in checked baggage. Embassy recommends using only
OK Taxi Company (937-2121). For more detailed information, please
review the Embassy's Crime and Safety Report on the web at
www.usembassy.bg. To advise personnel about ways to protect
themselves and their valuables while in Bulgaria, the RSO requires
that TDY personnel who are staying in Bulgaria longer than two (2)
weeks attend a security briefing. The briefing is conducted every

Thursday at 3:00 p.m.


12. Payment and Currency: Bulgaria is largely a cash economy. Most
shops and restaurants still do not accept travelers' checks and
credit cards. For expenses, post strongly recommends obtaining
dollars in clean, new bills; old, torn and defaced bills are often
not accepted for exchange. Personal checks may be cashed at the
embassy cashier. Exchange bureaus provide ready exchange of foreign
currency at competitive rates. Money exchange offers by individuals
outside exchange offices or banks should be avoided, as they are
often a dodge to pass counterfeit currency, or a set-up for robbery.
Due to pervasive fraud and theft of card numbers, the use of credit
cards (other than at major hotels) or ATM machines (other than the
machine located inside the Embassy) is not recommended in Bulgaria.
PLEASE NOTE: All visitors staying 30 days or more should view
Sofia's TDY policy, which is found at
http://internet.sofia.state.gov/sections/fmo/ ICASS.htm.


13. Telephones: Rates for international telephone calls are
expensive. A ten-minute call to the United States is approximately
USD 40.00. Travelers may prefer U.S. or locally purchased calling
cards that offer reduced rates.


14. Health care: Medical emergencies can be handled at one or two
facilities that are equipped with modern equipment, and the Embassy
Health Practitioner can provide routine services for travelers on
TDY orders. Travelers should bring an adequate supply of routinely
taken medication since these may not be available locally.

MCELDOWNEY