US embassy cable - 04SANTODOMINGO4672

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 SANTO DOMINGO 004672 
 
SIPDIS 
 
CODEL 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: AMGT, ASEC, OTRA, DR 
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE APPROVAL - CODEL DODD (15-17 AUG) 
 
REF: SECSTATE 173809 
 
1. U.S. Embassy Santo Domingo welcomes and grants country 
clearance to Senator Christopher J. Dodd to travel to Santo 
Domingo.  The purpose of this trip is to attend the 
presidential inauguration of President-elect Fernandez from 
15-17 August, 2004. 
 
2.  Embassy assistance is requested. 
 
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3.  Hotel Accommodations: 
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Hotel reservations are confirmed at the Hotel Embajador 
located on Sarasota Avenue #65.  Hotel Embajador contact 
numbers are as follows: 
Tel: (809)221-2131  Fax: (809)532-5306.  Per diem in Santo 
Domingo USD 107 (including taxes).  Hotel Room No. is 637 and 
breakfast is included. 
 
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4.  Contact with US Embassy Requested: 
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POC is Stefanie Eye at (809)731-4293, (809)697-1867 (cell), 
(809)541-4944 (home),(809)731-4335, or eyesb@state.gov. In 
case of an emergency during visit, including medical, please 
contact the US Embassy Post One at (809) 221-2171, extension 
4398. 
 
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5. Travel Documents: 
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All official visitors are encouraged to enter the Dominican 
Republic on valid passports, with valid visas.  If a visa 
cannot be obtained before entry into the Dominican Republic, 
a 30-day visa can be purchased for USD 10.00 in the airport 
terminal upon arrival. A USD 20.00 airport departure tax is 
charged to all non-residents leaving the country.  Many US 
carriers include this tax in the ticket price, so please 
consult your ticket. 
 
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6.  Monetary Exchange: 
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Visitors are encouraged to bring sufficient US Dollars cash, 
traveler,s checks or credit cards for cash advances.  Many 
merchants in the DR do not accept US currency in payment for 
goods and services.  Most commercial banks and hotels provide 
exchange services, with hotels offering slightly less 
favorable terms than banks.  Banco de Reservas, a Dominican 
commercial bank, offers check cashing and accommodation 
exchange services in the Embassy from 0900-1535 during 
official workdays.  USG employees are permitted to cash 
personal checks and can elect to either receive US Dollars or 
Dominican Pesos.  US credit cards, especially Visa and 
Mastercard, are widely accepted in major cities and tourist 
areas. 
 
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7.  Medical Attention: 
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In the event medical services from Embassy Health 
professionals are required, visitors will be expected to 
provide a copy of their orders upon receipt of care.  In 
cases of emergency, please contact Post One at (809) 
221-2171, extension 4398 or (809) 731-4398. 
 
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8.  Country Threat Assessment: 
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A)  Terrorism:  The Dominican Republic (DR) is considered a 
low threat post for terrorism.  There are no indigenous 
terrorist groups operating in the DR.  However, transnational 
terrorism is a possibility due to a number of factors, some 
of which include porous borders, a culture of corruption, 
inept police, and the Dominican Republic,s support for the 
war in Iraq.  These factors, and others, make the DR a 
potential target for transnational terrorism. 
 
B)  Crime:  The Dominican Republic is considered a high 
threat post for crime.  Street robberies, pick pocketing, 
credit card fraud, ATM fraud, burglaries, and theft from 
vehicles are all common crimes in the Dominican Republic.  If 
you are the victim of a street robbery, do not resist. 
Statistically, everyone who resists robbery is injured. 
Those who cooperate with robbers, i.e., give them some money, 
are always left unharmed.  To avoid credit card fraud, avoid 
excessive use of credit cards while in country.  Contact your 
card provider and advise them what charges you will be making 
while visiting the DR.  Keep a close watch over your credit 
card charges even weeks after leaving the Dominican Republic. 
 Fraudulent charges may not appear until well after you have 
returned to your place of origin. To avoid ATM fraud, use 
only ATMs that are located in major hotels, or collocated 
with banks.  Avoid using carros publicos, the least expensive 
type of taxi.  Many travelers have reported being pick 
pocketed in these vehicles.  Use established taxi services, 
or hotel taxis, which are considered safe. 
KUBISKE