COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR STAFFDEL WILLIAMS

UNCLAS PHNOM PENH 000323 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/MLS, H E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OREP AMGT ASEC AFIN CB SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR STAFFDEL WILLIAMS REF: State 49452 ¶1. Embassy Phnom Penh warmly welcomes and hereby grants Country clearance to STAFFDEL members Lisa Williams and Major Mack Curry, to visit Cambodia from May 26 through May 28, 2009. ¶2. The Control Officer for this visit is Political Officer Greg Lawless. Office: (855) 23 728 125 Cell: (855) 12 810 463 Fax: (855) 23 728 888 Home: (855) 23 217 659 Email: lawlessgf@state.gov ¶3. Hotel reservations have been made at the Raffles Hotel Le Royal in Phnom Penh (confirmation# 370257) and at Hotel De La Paix in Siem Reap (confirmation#133740). ¶4. Visas: All visitors must have a Cambodian visa. The Mission recommends that travelers entering the country on official or diplomatic passports obtain a visa prior to traveling to Cambodia. If this is not possible, visas may be obtained in the airport. In this case, the traveler should bring a visa-sized photograph with him/her for inclusion with the visa application. The immigration authorities will generally waive the US $20.00 fee for travelers on official and diplomatic passports; however, the traveler should be prepared to pay the fee. Regular (tourist) passport holders will be required to pay the fee. ¶5. Airport Departure Tax: Travelers departing Cambodia for an international destination must pay a $25.00 airport tax before clearing passport control. Airport tax for travel to in-country destinations is $6.00. ¶6. Security: Street crime remains a concern in Cambodia. Military weapons and explosives remain readily available to criminals despite efforts by authorities to collect and destroy such weapons. Armed robberies occur frequently in Phnom Penh, and while not specifically targeted, foreign residents and visitors are among the victims. Victims of armed robberies are reminded that they should not resist and should surrender their valuables as any perceived resistance may be met with physical violence to include lethal force. Armed individuals or their bodyguards may discharge small arms at any time during the day or night at the smallest provocation, mainly in the vicinity of bars, nightclubs and snooker establishments, but sometimes in tourist areas. Bystanders may be accidentally wounded. Pickpockets and beggars are also present in the markets and at the tourist sites. Persons visiting Cambodia should practice sound personal security awareness by varying their routes and routines, maintaining a low profile, not carrying or displaying large amounts of cash, not wearing flashy or expensive jewelry, and not walking the streets alone after dark. In addition, we recommend that Americans travel by automobile and not use local moto-taxies or cyclos for transportation. These vehicles are more vulnerable to armed robberies, purse snatching and offer no protection against injury when involved in traffic accidents. The embassy continues to receive reports of purse snatchings. If you are the victim of a purse snatching, it is imperative that you release your purse immediately and do not struggle with the thief. The Heart of Darkness nightclub in Phnom Penh has been placed off limits to all persons under the authority of the Chief of Mission due to a number of safety and security incidents that have occurred there. American citizens are also advised not to visit that establishment. Political and labor related public demonstrations occur on a fairly regular basis in the capital city, are generally peaceful and conducted without notable incident. Nonetheless, these gatherings have turned violent on occasion and the Embassy continues to advise American citizens to avoid political rallies, demonstrations, and political party offices where crowds may gather. Precautions should also be taken not to discuss sensitive or classified matters outside secure environments or over unsecured and/or cellular telephones, and to securely safeguard classified or sensitive materials at the Chancery and not at hotels or residences. ¶7. Currency/Credit Cards: Cambodia is a U.S. dollar cash economy. While the local currency - the Cambodia Riel - is in use, dollars are accepted for all transactions. Therefore, there is no need to exchange currency. The Embassy Cashier will cash traveler checks and personal checks of TDY personnel provided their social security number and a photocopy of their passport are presented. A limited number of establishments (including most hotels) accept credit cards. A few banks will provide cash against credit cards but they charge a hefty fee. Post recommends that visitors plan on using cash for transactions outside their hotels. ¶8. Post looks forward to your visit. ALLEGRA