UNCLAS TUNIS 000271

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR S/CT, AF AND NEA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER ASEC MASS OTRA TU
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE APPROVAL FOR REGIONAL SECURITY
INITIATVE (RSI) CONFERENCE


1. Embassy Tunis grants country clearance and warmly welcomes
all officials participating in the Trans Sahara RSI
Conference in Tunis on April 1, 2008.


2. Conference Point of Contacts:

a) Embassy Control Officer is Political Officer Susannah
Cooper. Phone 216-71-107-306 or 216-71-107-000; Fax:
216-71-107-090; Post 1: 216-71-107-212; email:
CooperSE@state.gov.

b) Administrative Support Coordinator is GSO Bill Crummey.
Phone 216-71-107-450 or 216-71-107-000; Fax: 216-71-107-090;
Post 1: 216-71-107-212; email: CrummeyWM@state.gov.


3. Hotel: Reservations have been made for all participants at
the Ramada Plaza Tunis. The room rate is TD 115 (USD 97.50,
within per diem) and includes breakfast, taxes and WiFi.
Individual hotel reservations will be adjusted as appropriate
after participants' travel itineraries are passed to Ms.
Cooper. Hotel telephone number: (216) 71-911-100. Fax: (216)
71-910-041. Website: http://www.ramada.com/hotel/19180. An
Embassy Welcome Desk at the hotel will be staffed from 12:00
- 9:00 p.m. on March 31 and 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on April

2.


4. Arrivals: Post will meet and assist arriving participants
at the airport with Embassy expediter and vehicle, and will
assist with departure.


5. Conference Information: The conference will be held at the
US Embassy located in the suburb of Berges du Lac. Post will
provide transportation from the hotel to the conference site
and return. Additional details about the conference and
logistics are available on Embassy Tunis' classified website:
www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/tunis/index.cfm.


6. Currency Exchange: It is recommended that travelers change
money at the airport to cover personal expenses at arrival.
Current exchange rate is approximately USD 1 = TND 1.180.
Post will provide accommodation exchange and reverse
accommodation at the conference on April 1 and at the hotel
the morning of April 2.


7. Embassy Tunis' normal workweek is Monday through Friday;
office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.


8. Entry requirements: a valid passport is required; no visa
is necessary.


9. Travelers with private or U.S. Government (USG) owned
electronic devices including laptops, peripherals, diskettes,
tapes, and other media, must receive RSO/ISSO authorization
before these items can be allowed into Embassy facilities.
Classified computers must be sent to post via the classified
diplomatic pouch, or be hand carried by a non-professional
diplomatic courier. All classified equipment must bear
external USG bar-coded inventory numbers and classification
marking commensurate with the highest level of information
processed on the system. Cellular/mobile phones and
palm-pilots are prohibited in Controlled Access Areas.
Questions concerning other types of electronic devices and
magnetic media may be directed to the ISSO or RSO.
Electricity in Tunisia is 220 Volts.


11. Security/Crime Information: Tunisia is a moderate Arab
country that has traditionally enjoyed peace and stability.
However, in light of the September 11 attacks in the United
States and in view of the ongoing violence in Israel, the
West Bank, Gaza and elsewhere in the Middle East region, the
American Embassy reminds visitors to maintain a high level of

vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their
security awareness. While the Government of Tunisia has and
will continue to make every effort to protect foreigners,
visitors should avoid large crowds and crowded public areas
and keep in regular contact with the Embassy.


12. Tunisian security forces are omnipresent and generally
ensure public order. Low level, non-violent property crimes
of opportunity are relatively common. Pickpockets and
purse-snatchers are common in areas with high volume tourist
traffic, such as the Tunis Medina (old city) and central
market. It is prudent to exercise normal travel security
precautions and maintain a low profile as one would in any
major U.S. city. This should help to ensure an incident-free
visit.
GODEC