Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09PHNOMPENH323
2009-05-19 09:31:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Phnom Penh
Cable title:  

COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR STAFFDEL WILLIAMS

Tags:  OREP AMGT ASEC AFIN CB 
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VZCZCXRO7706
PP RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHNH
DE RUEHPF #0323 1390931
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 190931Z MAY 09
FM AMEMBASSY PHNOM PENH
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0721
INFO RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHHI/AMEMBASSY HANOI 4093
RUEHVN/AMEMBASSY VIENTIANE 2889
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

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