COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR NEA ACTING A/S

C O N F I D E N T I A L DAMASCUS 000174

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR NEA/FO, NEA/ELA;
AMMAN FOR COHEN;
BEIRUT FOR ROSE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/04/2019
TAGS: OTRA SY
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR NEA ACTING A/S
FELTMAN AND DELEGATION

REF: A. STATE 18866

B. ABELL-BLAIR-CRAYNON E-MAIL

Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Maura Connelly for reasons 1.4(b,d)


1. (C) Embassy Damascus welcomes and grants country clearance
for the proposed visit of Acting Assistant Secretary of State
(A A/S) for Near East Affairs (NEA) Jeffrey Feltman, NSC
Senior Director Daniel Shapiro, and NEA Staff Assistant Oni
Blair on March 7-8, 2009. Travelers will be met at the
Jededeh (Lebanese) border terminal at 0830 on Saturday, March
7, by Charge d'Affaires (CDA) Maura Connelly, as well as
Control Officer and an Embassy expediter.


2. (SBU) Control officer and point of contact for this visit
is Econ Officer Andy Abell, who can be reached at work:
(963)-(11) 3391-3621; cell: (963)-933-480-855; or embassy fax
number: (963)-(11) 3391-4687.


3. (SBU) Funding: Post has received fiscal data for each
traveler that will be used to cover lodging expenses.
Additional Embassy costs that may be billed to the delegation
fund cite include, but are not limited to, American and FSN
overtime, visa and border crossing fees, transportation costs
for official vehicles, long distance telephone calls, and
other costs directly attributable to the visit.


4. (C) Visa Requirement: Every visitor must have a valid visa
to enter Syria. Post provided the Syrian government with
travelers' passport information provided in reftel and
requested expedited visa issuance at the Jededeh border
terminal. While the Syrian government generally rigidly
enforces restrictions on prior travel to Israel, Post has
requested a waiver of this regulation in case all travelers
do not have two diplomatic passports.


5. (C) Security Requirements: Post received necessary
security clearance information in reftel.


6. (SBU) Transportation: Embassy transportation will be
provided throughout your visit.


7. (SBU) Lodging: A A/S Feltman will stay at the CDA's
residence. Two "Club Level" rooms have been reserved for Ms.
Blair and Mr. Shapiro at the Sheraton Damascus for the night
of March 7. Confirmation numbers are: 385734 and 385735. The
hotel phone number is: 963-(11)222-9300; fax number is
963-(11) 212-9349. The room rate is USD 180 plus 13 percent
tax per night. This is within per diem and does include
breakfast. The Sheraton accepts major credit cards.


8. (U) Communications Support: Long-distance telephone calls
(for official business only) can be placed from the Embassy,
although travelers should be aware that IVG service is
frequently unavailable in Damascus. Internet-accessible
computers are available in the Sheraton business center, and
wireless internet is available in individual rooms for an
additional daily fee.


9. (U) Currency Exchange: The Embassy Cashier will not be
available as your visit occurs over a long holiday weekend.
Most debit cards issued by American banks will work at ATM
machines in Damascus operated by private banks, such as Bank
Bemo Saudi Fransi (BBSF) or Audi Bank. However, American
banks will not process ATM transactions at the Commercial
Bank of Syria (CBS) due to U.S. Treasury Department sanctions
against CBS. Travelers should minimize the amount of Syrian
pounds exchanged because reverse accommodation exchange is
generally not permitted on the local economy. Major hotels,
such as the Sheraton, are authorized to perform reverse
accommodation but will charge a commission.


10. (U) Photography: Photography of individuals in uniform
(including police),government buildings, and military
installations is strictly forbidden.


11. (U) Departure Tax: Syria charges a departure tax of 500
SYP (approximately USD 10),payable in SYP cash only.
Travelers with diplomatic passports are exempt, but those
with official passports must pay.


12. (U) Health: Health facilities in Damascus are not up to
U.S. or European standards, and facilities outside Damascus
are extremely limited. Only personnel covered under the

State Department,s medical program and with a valid medical
clearance for Syria are eligible for medevac at USG cost. It
is recommended that all other travelers have medical
evacuation insurance sufficient to cover evacuation by
chartered air ambulance, or ensure that their agency will
cover the cost.


13. (U) Threat Assessment: Political developments and
security in the Middle East sometimes change quickly. The
Embassy was attacked, without warning, in September 2006, by
a small group of terrorists using automatic gunfire and
grenades. They attempted, unsuccessfully, to detonate a
vehicle-borne improvised explosive device at the rear gate.
One local guard was seriously injured and there was at least
one Syrian fatality in addition to the killing of the four
attackers. Since the attack, the Embassy has taken additional
measures to improve its security posture.


14. (U) Threat Assessment continued: In February 2005, the
former Prime Minister of Lebanon was assassinated in Beirut,
prompting the U.S. to recall its Ambassador to Syria for
consultations. There are no plans to assign a replacement,
reflecting the ongoing difficulties in U.S.-Syrian relations.
Government-sanctioned demonstrations have occasionally
included expressions of anti-American or anti-Western
sentiment. Violent mobs attacked three Scandinavian embassies
in February 2006. In general, Americans in Syria should vary
their schedules, avoid large crowds and gatherings, and
report suspicious incidents to the Regional Security Officer.
Visitors should also read and follow the guidance in the
latest public announcements and State Department travel
advisories for Syria.
CONNELLY