US embassy cable - 04SANTODOMINGO4702

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 SANTO DOMINGO 004702 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: AMGT, APER 
SUBJECT:  COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR DR. WILLIAM H. SCOTTI 
 
REF:  SECSTATE 167657 
 
1.  US Embassy Santo Domingo welcomes and grants 
country clearance to Dr. William H. Scotti to travel to 
Santo Domingo from September 21 to September 23, 2004. 
Purpose of trip is to carry out activities relating to 
dependent education and assistance to American- 
sponsored schools. Embassy will meet and assist at 
airport. 
 
1.   Hotel Accommodations: 
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Hotel reservations are confirmed at the Hotel Jaragua. 
Hotel Jaragua contact numbers are as follows:  Tel: 809- 
221-2222 Fax: 809-221-8271 Per diem in Santo Domingo 
USD 107 (including taxes). The Embassy will be 
responsible for accomodations and M&IE. The following 
is the hotel reservation confirmation number: 
 
   Dr. William Scotti   Confirmation #307498 
 
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US Embassy Contact while in the Dominican Republic: 
--------------------------------------------- --------- 
Bainbridge Cowell Jr. is the Embassy Control Officer 
during this visit.  Contact numbers:  Office: 809-731- 
4307; Home: 809-472-1657; Mobile: 1-809-729-1636.  In 
case of an emergency during visit, including medical, 
please contact the US Embassy Post One at (809) 221- 
2171 ext. 4398 or (809) 731-4398. 
 
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4.    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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5.    Monetary Exchange: 
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Visitors are encouraged to bring sufficient cash in US 
Dollars, 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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6.    Cellular Phone Rental: 
------------------------- 
Cell phone rental is available through Verizon, a local 
provider.  Rental costs may vary, but on average cost 
is USD $1 per day.  Outgoing calls are approximately 
USD .50 per minute for calls within the Dominican 
Republic and USD .50 per minute, plus long distance 
charges, for international calls. 
 
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7.    Country Threat Assessment: 
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A)   Terrorism:  The Dominican Republic (DR) is 
    considered "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 carro 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. 
HERTELL