STAFFDEL PERKINS

UNCLAS ADDIS ABABA 001824

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OREP AMGT ASEC AFIN AF OTRA ET
SUBJECT: STAFFDEL PERKINS

REF: STATE 76939


1. Embassy Addis Ababa welcomes Mr. Alexander Perkins,
Majority Trade Counsel, and Ms. Angela Ellard, Minority Trade
Counsel to Ethiopia August 6-9, 2009. For the latest travel
advisories consult the Department of State website at
http://travel.state.gov. The purpose of travel is to hold
AGOA-related meetings in Ethiopia. Hotel reservations have
been made at the Sheraton: Taitu Street, Addis Ababa,
Ethiopia, Telephone 251-11-517-1717, Fax 251-00-517-2727,
Confirmation numbers: Perkins 726853478, Ellard 736853478.
The daily rate is $254.26 including tax and service but no
breakfast. One night will be charged if there is a
cancellation.


2. Please be advised that effective immediately, all
visitors must clearly state the purpose of their visit and
the areas to be visited, as well as to check in with post
upon arrival or the appropriate designated Embassy contact.
Visitors who alter their travel plans or focus of their visit
without informing the Embassy, particularly travel to
unauthorized, unsafe or "off limit" areas, or send reports on
Ethiopia operations without clearing such messages with the
Embassy will be denied future clearances. The sponsoring
office of the visitor could also face future restrictions on
country clearance requests for their travelers to Ethiopia.
This policy is being implemented to ensure that all visitors
follow strictly appropriate safety and security measures,
especially avoiding travel to unsafe areas, and also as a
result of visitors disregarding Embassy clearance procedures
and conditions under which Chief of Mission authority is
granted.


3. Control officer: Kary Hintz-Tate, Economic Officer; cell
phone: 251(0)91 151-1685, office telephone number: 251(0)11
517-4112; Email hintz-tatek@state.gov. The mission duty
officer can be reached at 251(0)11 517-4000, cell phone
251(0)91 121-3437 or after hours at 251(0)11 517-4313. The
Embassy pouch address is 2030 Addis Ababa Place, Washington,
DC 20521-2030. The Embassy operating hours are Monday to
Thursday from 7:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. On Fridays, from 7:45
a.m. to 11:45 a.m.


4. Entry Requirements: Post strongly recommends that
Business/Tourist visas be obtained at the closest Ethiopian
embassy to the traveler's point of origin. If that is not
possible, for persons traveling on an ordinary U.S. passport,
a business visa valid for five days only if he/she has a
relevant document can be obtained only at Bole International
Airport for USD 20.00. A Tourist visa can be given for one
month only. A person traveling on a diplomatic passport can
obtain an entry visa free of charge. Passengers should be
aware that, if they elect to obtain an entry visa at the
airport, they may be delayed by as much as one or two hours.
Be sure to have exact change in U.S. dollars to pay for the
visa, as change for larger bills is virtually impossible to
find at the visa counter and efforts to obtain change from
airport banks may result in even longer delays.


5. If a traveler is coming from or has recently visited
countries where yellow fever, cholera or influenza is
endemic, immunization records documenting yellow fever and/or
cholera vaccination may be required to enter the country.
Travelers coming directly from the U.S. or Europe are
generally not asked for such documentation. Recommended
vaccinations include: tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B,
typhoid, meningitis, poliomyelitis and, for high-risk groups,
rabies.


6. Visitors should confirm onward flight reservations at
least 72 (seventy-two) hours prior to departure to reduce the
possibility of cancellation. Please note that many airlines
operating in Ethiopia cancel reservations that have not been
confirmed and will often refuse to reinstate them at the time
of scheduled departure.


7. Money: Credit cards are not accepted at most hotels,
except for the Sheraton and the Hilton and are not accepted
at any local restaurants, shops or other facilities.
Foreigners are required to pay for car rentals in hard
currency. There are very few ATMs in Ethiopia. Guests and
visitors at the Sheraton Addis Hotel can obtain up to USD
500.00 per day using a Visa credit card that has a cash
advance facility. Cash for per diem expenses will be
provided to Mr. Perkins and Ms. Ellard upon their arrival in
Addis Ababa.


8. Currency regulations: Currency declarations are required
on entry to Ethiopia, and travelers may be asked by customs
officials to show the amount of currency they have. It is
illegal to buy or sell foreign currency except at banks, or
licensed hotels. It is also against the law to pay for
purchases with foreign currency. If you wish to pay your
hotel bill in cash, you must exchange the hard currency at a
legal exchange point and present the receipt to the hotel at
time of payment.


9. Health: Medical facilities in Ethiopia generally do not
meet international standards. Very basic care is available
at some private hospitals in Addis Ababa (and through the
Embassy Health Unit for authorized users). Because of its
altitude (7,000-8,000 feet above sea level),travel to Addis
Ababa is not recommended for those with pulmonary/heart
conditions. This includes individuals suffering from
bronchial asthma, angina pectoris, previous myocardial
infarction, emphysema, congestive heart failure or sleep
apnea. Individuals with sickle cell anemia should carefully
consider the altitude of this post before traveling here.
Dehydration is a common problem and travelers should ensure
that they drink plenty of clean, bottled water, which is
widely available in shops or restaurants (NOTE: Do not accept
a bottle that is unsealed.). Many pharmacies in Addis Ababa
are reasonably well stocked, but medications are not always
standard and may not even be genuine. Travelers should bring
sufficient supplies of any medications they might need while
in country. Post policy is to stabilize those requiring
acute care and to evacuate them immediately. All travelers
are advised to closely adhere to the following guidelines:


A. Short-term (TDY) assignments carry an added risk because
of the lack of time for acclimatization. Dehydration and
stress from exercise or illness compound the basic risks of
high altitude. For more information, contact your health
unit or the medical clearances section of the Office of
Medical Services.


B. Bring sufficient supplies of all chronic and emergency
medications.


C. Only personnel covered under the State Department's
medical program, and with a valid medical clearance for Addis
Ababa, are eligible for medevac at USG cost. All other
visitors are required to have in their possession
documentation of currently valid medical evacuation insurance
sufficient to ensure evacuation by chartered air ambulance,
or ensure that their agency will cover the cost.


D. Malaria prophylaxis is not needed in Addis Ababa, but is
needed should travel be extended to lowland malarial areas
outside Addis Ababa. Medical facilities are not generally
adequate to care for complications due to malaria
Chloroquine-resistant malaria is present at lower elevations
of Ethiopia. In these areas, malaria prophylaxis containing
mefloquine, doxycycline or atovaquone with proguanil,
together with exposure prevention techniques (use of mosquito
repellent, long-sleeve shirts and long trousers, mosquito
nets, etc.) are essential.


10. Weather: Addis Ababa experiences two rainy seasons light
rains from February through April, and heavy rains from June
through September. The average daytime temperature in Addis
Ababa is between 75 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Nighttime
temperatures can range from the upper 30's to the low 60's
depending upon the time of year. Business dress in Addis
Ababa tends to be fairly formal, with jackets and ties for
men and skirts or pant-suits standard for women. Travelers
should bring a medium weight sweater or jacket for evenings,
when the temperature drops as soon as the sun sets. Because
of the altitude, the sun in Addis Ababa is quite intense, and
travelers should carry and use a strong sun block.


11. Electronic equipment: Items for personal use (short-wave
radio, laptop computer, still camera, video camera) can be
brought into Ethiopia. Generally such items must be declared
on arrival, when a customs officer will list these items in
the traveler's passport. Customs officials may then check on
departure to insure that these items are being taken out of
the country again. CD players, commercial quality camera
equipment, video or DVD players or other work-related
electronic equipment or tools may be difficult to bring into
the country and may be impounded by customs officials at the
airport. Travelers who intend to bring such equipment into
Ethiopia should provide the Embassy or USAID complete details
(e.g., type of equipment, number being imported, make(s),
model(s) and serial number(s)) at least 24 hours prior to
their arrival so that appropriate arrangements can be made
for bringing it into Ethiopia.


12. Security: The Department of State urges U.S. citizens to
consider deferring travel to northern Tigray (bordering
Eritrea) and regions bordering Somalia due to security
concerns. In the northern part of the country, the
Ethiopian-Eritrean conflict could rekindle without warning
and significantly affect the border region between both
countries. Transportation to this area has been disrupted on
occasion, limiting the U.S. government's ability to assist
its citizens. Travel to the Ogaden Region has also been
severely restricted due to recent attacks and all official
USG employees must obtain special permission before traveling
to this region. Other areas of Ethiopia, particularly in
border areas, are subject to periodic instability, and
visitors planning to travel outside of Addis Ababa should
consult the Consular Information Sheet and check with the
Regional Security Officer for the most up-to-date security
information before beginning travel.


13. Crime: Pick-pocketing and other petty crimes are
prevalent in urban areas. There are occasional reports of
thieves snatching jewelry. Visitors should exercise normal
caution and not carry large sums of money or wear excessive
jewelry on their persons. Visitors should carry wallets and
other valuables where they will not be susceptible to
pickpockets. Walking in Addis Ababa after dusk is not safe.
Night driving is strongly discouraged outside of major urban
areas. Armed banditry can occur on roads outside major towns
or cities and may be accompanied by violence.


14. The loss or theft of a U.S. passport should be reported
immediately to the U.S. Embassy located on Entoto Road and to
the local police. It is advisable to leave passports, plane
tickets and valuables in a hotel safe. Visitors, however,
will be asked to show passports or other official
identification when entering the U.S. Embassy compound.


15. Photography: Ethiopians are very sensitive about
photography. It is strictly prohibited to photograph military
installations, police or military personnel, industrial
facilities, government buildings, and infrastructure
facilities (roads, bridges, ports, airfields, etc.).
Confiscation of film or camera or even arrest may result.
Tourist photography, on the other hand, is encouraged. A
good rule of thumb: If there is any doubt about whether the
photograph should be taken, don't take it.
MALAC