US embassy cable - 04MANAGUA1791

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAGUA 001791 
 
SIPDIS 
 
CODEL 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OREP, AMGT, ASEC, AFIN, NU 
SUBJECT: CODEL SHELBY VISIT TO NICARAGUA, JULY 1-3 
 
REF: A) STATE 129789; B) Schorch-Luftman e-mail, 6/15/04 
 
1.   Embassy Managua warmly welcomes the visit of Senator 
Richard Shelby, Dr. Annette Shelby, and accompanying 
congressional delegation members to travel to Nicaragua July 
1 - 3, 2004. 
 
2.  CODEL Control Officer will be acting Economic Counselor 
Eric Luftman (office phone 011-505-266-6010 x 4549; home 
phone 011-505-265-8471; fax 011-505-266-9056; cell 011-505- 
886-5057; E-mail LuftmanEW@state.gov).  Administrative POC 
will be Management Counselor Trevor Snellgrove (office phone 
011-505-266-6010 x 4757; home phone 011-505-265-8855; fax 
011-505-266-3865; cell 011-505-885-8044; 
E-mail SnellgroveTA@state.gov).  The Embassy's after-hours 
number is (505) 266-6038. 
 
3.   Reservations have been made for July 1-3 at the 
Intercontinental Metrocentro Hotel, located at Metrocentro, 
Managua (tel. 011-505-278-4545; fax 011-505-278-6300).  Per 
ref B information on delegation members, we have reserved 
three double rooms in the names of Shelby, Cornyn, and 
Hollings; and four single rooms for staff members and 
military escort.  In addition to these rooms, we have 
reserved two connected rooms to serve as the control room 
and the hospitality room, making a total of nine rooms 
reserved.  Room numbers are not currently available, but we 
have requested rooms on the fifth floor.  The USG daily rate 
is $115, including breakfast, for all rooms.  Post will 
arrange tax exemption for all CODEL members.  Latest date 
for cancellation without penalty is 6:00 p.m. prior to the 
date of arrival. 
 
4.  Embassy will provide transportation to and from the 
airport, and for all official events.  The proposed schedule 
is as follows: 
 
THURSDAY, JULY 1 
 
9:00 am           Depart from San Salvador via milair 
 
9:45 am           Arrive Managua 
 
10:30 - 11:30 am  Country Team Briefing 
 
12:00 - 1:30 pm   Lunch with President Bolanos and economic 
-                 cabinet members 
 
2:00 - 3:00 pm    Meeting with Minister of Finance Eduardo - 
Montiel 
 
3:30 - 4:30 pm    Meeting with Central Bank President Mario 
-                 Alonso 
 
4:45 - 7:00 pm    Rest at hotel 
 
7:00 - 9:30 pm    Dinner hosted by Eduardo Montealegre, 
-                 Secretary of the Presidency, with GON 
-                 Cabinet Members related to Millennium 
-                 Challenge Account 
 
FRIDAY, JULY 2 
 
7:30 - 9:00 am    Breakfast with private sector leaders 
-                 hosted by AmCham 
 
9:30 - 10:30 am   Meeting with Superintendent of Banks 
-                 Alfonso Llanes 
 
11:00 - 12:00 pm  Meeting with Director of Taxes Roger 
-                 Arteaga 
 
12:30 - 2:00 pm   Restaurant lunch with National Assembly 
-                 economic committee members 
 
2:30 - 3:30 pm    Meeting with Bankers Association members 
 
3:45 - 5:45 pm    Rest at hotel. 
 
6:00 - 8:00 pm    Fourth of July reception at Ambassador's 
-                 residence. 
 
SATURDAY, JULY 3 
 
7:00 am           Breakfast in hospitality suite. 
 
c. 9:00 am        Depart via milair to San Jose. 
 
5.  U.S. citizens are not required to have a Nicaraguan visa 
to enter the country, however upon arrival holders of 
passports other than diplomatic are required to purchase a 
tourist card for $5.  Non-diplomatic passport holders are 
also charged a departure tax of $32. 
 
6.  Security assessment: While the Embassy has no 
information to indicate that official or private U.S. 
travelers to Nicaragua are specifically targeted for 
terrorist or criminal activity, there is a continuing risk. 
Violent crime in the capital is increasing and street 
crimes, including robbery and pickpocketing, are common. 
 
7.   Based on safety recommendations made by the police 
and published in various newspapers, the RSO recommends 
the following when considering utilizing taxi service: 
(1) Avoid taking taxis if possible, especially after 
7:00 p.m.  The majority of crimes have been reported at 
night. After 10:00 p.m., both taxi drivers and 
passengers automatically become potential victims of an 
assault, sexual assault, or even murder. (2) Before 
taking a taxicab, make sure that it has a red plate and 
that the number is legible.  Also, check that the taxi 
is properly labeled with the Cooperativa name and logo. 
Theses are the names of the most reliable taxi 
cooperatives: Cooperativa de Radio Taxis 25 de Febrero - 
Ph: 222-5218; Cooperativa de Radio Taxis El Gueguense - 
Ph: 249-7036 or call at Hotel Intercontinental 
Metrocentro at 278-4545 (Supervisor's name is Nelly 
Morales); Cooperativa de Radio Taxis 23 de Agosto at 
Hotel Princess - Ph: 270-5045; Cooperativa de Taxis 
Ruleteros Guardabarranco - Ph: 248-2026; Cooperativa de 
Taxi Urbano de Managua La Union - Ph: 249-8536. 
 
8.  Medical assessment: Malaria in Nicaragua is endemic - 
particularly in low-lying areas - especially Managua and the 
beaches. As in most of Central America, dengue is also a 
problem.  Personnel are urged to drink bottled water 
particularly in the chancery.  Visitors can check in with 
the medical unit for further information. 
 
9.  Access to certain sections of the chancery requires a 
security clearance.  Please advise Embassy of the travelers' 
level of clearance prior to their arrival. 
 
10.  This is the rainy season in Managua with daytime highs 
in the 90's and evening temperatures falling to 80's.  Coat 
and tie business attire are required for calls on GON 
officials, but informal dress (open-collar shirts and slacks 
for men and summer dresses and skirts and blouses for women) 
is appropriate for other calls. 
 
MOORE