US embassy cable - 04MADRID3666

UNCLAS MADRID 003666 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: KCSY, CMGT, AADP, CASC, CPAS, SP, AMAT, CUIS, Country Visits 
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR CONSULAR 
SUPPORT TO BARCELONA 
 
REF:  SECSTATE 202307 
 
1. Embassy Madrid grants country clearance and 
welcomes Harris Orkand information services 
contractors Timothy Curran, Fernando Canarte, and 
Nancy Rapin to Barcelona, Spain, from September 28 to 
October 15, 2004. 
 
2. Your hotel information is: 
 
Hotel Princesa Sofia 
Plaza Pio XII, 4 
Barcelona 
Tel: 34-93-508-1000 
Rate: 160.00 euros (196.31 dollars) (Vat not included) 
Breakfast included 
 
3. Control officers for this visit in Barcelona are 
David Cummings, Admin Officer and Linda Eichblatt, 
Consular Officer. Office hours are 08:30 a.m. - 1:30 
p.m. and 2:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. The Consulate General 
address is: 
 
Paseo Reina Elisenda de Montcada, 23 
08034 Barcelona 
tel. (34)(93) 280-2227 
ext. 273 
cell phone nos. David Cummings (34) 626-034076 
Linda Eichblatt (34) 649-295952 
 
4. Post is unable to meet and assist.  Taxi 
transportation from the airport in Barcelona is safe 
and reliable.  The approximate cost in Barcelona is 17 
euros (21 dollars). 
 
5. RSO grants permission for the unclassified laptop 
to be brought into the consular section.  Please be 
advised that no interface should be made between any 
USG in-house system and the laptop without the 
clearance of the IPO. 
 
6. Visitors are reminded that bearers of diplomatic 
and official passports coming to Spain on official 
business need to obtain a Spanish visa prior to their 
arrival. 
 
7.  In general, Spain is safe.  However, Madrid and 
other large cities in Spain attract a number of 
criminals and pickpockets and frequent incidents of 
crimes of opportunity against the unwary occur.  Carry 
only essential items, including a photocopy of your 
passport.  Visitors can protect themselves from crime 
by being street-smart, alert, and aware of their 
surroundings.  In the event you are victimized by 
crime, or experience any other security-related 
incident, please contact the Embassy's Regional 
Security Office at (91) 587-2550.  Additional 
information regarding safety and security in Spain is 
available on the U.S. Department of State's website 
(http://www.state.gov). 
 
8.  Travelers are encouraged to review the most recent 
Worldwide Caution issued by the Department of State. 
As the Department of State continues to develop 
information on any potential security threats to 
Americans overseas, it shares credible threat 
information through its Consular Information Program 
documents, available on the Internet at 
http://travel/state.gov.  In addition to information 
on the Internet, U.S. travelers can hear recorded 
information by calling the Department of State in 
Washington, D.C. at 202-647-5225 from their touch-tone 
telephone, or receive information by automated telefax 
by dialing 202-647-3000 from their fax machine. 
ARGYROS