US embassy cable - 04MADRID4039

UNCLAS MADRID 004039 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OTRA, SP, Country Visits 
SUBJECT: SPAIN COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR DAS GLYN DAVIES 
 
REF: SECSTATE 220876 
 
1.  Embassy warmly welcomes and grants country clearance to 
Glyn Davies, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State to travel to 
Madrid and Barcelona, October 19-22. 
 
2.  Control Officer at Embassy Madrid is Political Officer 
Robert J. Riley.  He can be reached at work (34-91-587-2392), 
on his mobile (34-609-057-454) or e-mail:  rileyrj@state.gov. 
Control Officer at Consulate Barcelona is Consul General Juan 
Alsace.  He can be reached at work (34-93-280-2227 ext. 203), 
on his mobile (34-649-295-948) or e-mail:  alsaceJA@state.gov. 
 
3.  In Madrid DAS Davies will be staying at DCM's residence, 
Calle Don Ramon de la Cruz, 3, 28006 Madrid.  The residence 
can be reached at 34-91-587-2207.  As requested in reftel 
hotel reservations in Barcelona have been made at Hotel 
Galerie, located at Calle Rosello, 249, 08008 Barcelona. 
Hotel can be telephoned at 34-93-415-9911 or faxed at 
34-93-415-9184. 
 
4.  Visitors are reminded that bearers of diplomatic and 
official passports coming to Spain on official business need 
to obtain a Spanish visa prior to arrival in Spain. 
 
5.  THREAT ASSESSMENT: 
 
In general, Spain is safe.  However, Madrid, Barcelona and 
other large cities in Spain -- including resort/convention 
areas such as Benidorm -- attract a large number of criminals 
and pickpockets and frequent incidents of crime of 
opportunity against the unwary do occur.  Carry only 
essential items including a photocopy of your passport's 
photo page.  Visitors can protect themselves against crime by 
being street-smart, alert and aware of their surroundings. In 
the event you are victimized by crime, or experience any 
security-related incident, please contact the Embassy's 
Regional Security Office at 91-587-2550 or after hours at 
91-587-2355.  Official visitors to the Embassy in Madrid or 
the Consulate General in Barcelona are encouraged to receive 
a security briefing from the RSO office at their earliest 
convenience.  Additional information regarding safety and 
security in Spain is available on the U.S. Department of 
State's website (http://www.state.gov) and the U.S. Embassy's 
website (www.embusa.es). 
 
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