COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR CODEL MCCOLLUM

UNCLAS TUNIS 000693 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/MAG (NARDI) STATE ALSO FOR H - PLEASE PASS CODEL MCCOLLUM E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OREP PGOV PREL ECON PTER TS SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR CODEL MCCOLLUM ¶1. Embassy Tunis grants country clearance and warmly welcomes Representative McCollum and accompanying members of CODEL McCollum to Tunisia from July 1 - 5, 2008. ¶2. The point of contact for the visit is Political Officer Trina Saha. Contact information for Ms. Saha is as follows: Phone: 216-71-107-362 or 216-71-107-000; Fax: 216-71-090; Cell: 216-20-354-536; Home: 216-71-752-101; e-mail: SahaTD@state.gov. ¶3. Hotel: Reservations have been made for CODEL McCollum at the Les Berges du Lac Concorde Hotel, Rue du Lac Turkana, 1053 Tunis, Tunisia. Room rate for single rooms is USD 119, including breakfast, taxes, and Internet. Hotel phone: (216) 71-961-951. Fax: (216) 71-961-952. Website: tunis.concorde-hotels.com/en/. ¶4. Arrivals: Post will meet and assist arriving participants at the airport with Embassy expediter and vehicle, and will assist with departure. ¶5. Currency Exchange: Post will provide accommodation exchange on arrival. Current exchange rate is approximately USD 1 = TND 1.168. ¶6. Embassy Tunis' normal workweek is Monday through Friday; office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. ¶7. Entry requirements: a valid passport is required; no visa is necessary. ¶8. Post requires that security clearances of personnel accompanying the Members of Congress be forwarded as soon as possible. ¶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. ¶10. 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. ¶11. 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