US embassy cable - 05ASUNCION429

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASUNCION 000429 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FAA MIAMI ARTCC MIAMI FL FOR IAO/ALC1 
FAA MIAMI ARTCC MIAMI FL FOR CASLO 
STATE FOR EB/TRA/AVP 
FAA NATIONAL HQ FOR ACI100/AIA1 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PTER, OTRA, PA 
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR TSA CIVIL AVIATION SECURITY 
INSPECTORS 
 
REF: RUEWMCS #0354 0781640 
 
1. As requested in reftel, country clearance is granted 
for TSA Civil Aviation Security Inspectors Jesus 
Serrano (Security clearance: secret), and Diana Laguna 
(Security clearance: secret), for travel to Asuncion, 
Paraguay from April 23-28, 2005 for the purpose of 
assessing airport security conditions and conducting 
air carrier station inspections of the U.S. air 
carriers.  The contact person for the visit is Economic 
and Commercial Counselor Patrick O'Reilly, office tel.: 
595/21 213-715, ext. 2015.  Home tel.: 595/21 612-758, 
Cellular tel. Number: (0971) 940-001. 
 
2. Hotel reservations have been confirmed at the 
Paramanta Hotel, (address: Av. Aviadores del Chaco 
3198; telephone:  607-053).  This hotel is located 
approximately five miles from the Embassy.  Cost of the 
single room is USD.56.00. per night with tax and 
breakfast included. 
 
3. Due to the high volume of TDY personnel the Embassy 
receives, we are able to meet and assist only personnel 
who are traveling with large amounts of technical 
equipment.  Taxis are available from the airport.  A 
taxi ride from the airport to your hotel may cost you 
anywhere from 45,000 to 62,000 guaranies, approximately 
8 to 10 USD. 
 
4. All U.S. citizens traveling to Paraguay are now 
required to have visas.  Airport and border visas are 
not available at this time.  Please contact the 
Paraguayan Embassy or closest Consulate for more 
information, especially if you require a multiple entry 
visa. 
 
5. If travel plans involve visiting neighboring 
countries in the region, please arrive with appropriate 
visas and obtain country clearances from the 
appropriate U.S. Embassies.  Brazil and Argentina 
requires visas for official travelers on diplomatic, 
official, and/or personal passports.  Official visitors 
contemplating travel to Iguazu Falls should advise the 
Embassy before doing so as well as Embassy Brasilia 
and/or Embassy Buenos Aires if they plan to cross into 
Brazil and Argentina.  Travelers are reminded that 
Iguazu Falls is located on the border of Brazil and 
Argentina, about ten miles east of Ciudad del Este, 
Paraguay, and that travelers from Paraguay cross into 
Brazil. 
 
6. Post recommends that even though you will be only 
transiting Brazil, you also obtain a Brazilian visa. If 
the airline cancels or delays its flight to Asuncion, 
then you may have to stay in Sao Paulo for one day 
while waiting for the next available flight to 
Asuncion.  Brazilian authorities will not permit you to 
leave the airport to go to a hotel without a valid 
Brazilian visa.  U.S. citizens may be fingerprinted and 
photographed upon entry into Brazil.  This applies to 
holders of diplomatic and official passports, as well 
as tourist passports. 
 
7. Threat Assessment: 
 
A. Political Violence-Terrorism: There are no 
indigenous terrorist organizations in Paraguay.  There 
are no political groups or parties that are currently 
active in this country that are specifically targeting 
U.S. interests.  However, given the presence of members 
of and support for extremist terrorist groups in the 
tri-border region (Alto Parana and Itapua Departments), 
visitors here cannot discount the possibility of 
terrorist activity, to include random acts of anti- 
American violence. 
 
B. Crime:  Paraguay is a high-threat post for crime. 
Petty street crime in the city of Asuncion and the 
immediate suburbs continues to be a problem for 
residents and visitors alike.  Visitors to the city of 
Asuncion should be aware of problems with pickpockets 
or purse snatchers on the street or on public 
transportation.  Until recently, most crime affecting 
visitors has been non-violent; aggravated robberies, 
shootings, etc., while not completely unheard of in 
Asuncion, were nonetheless uncommon.  However, 
incidents of armed robberies of businesses and 
residences by criminal groups are occurring with 
greater frequency, and as a result, it is recommended 
that due caution be exercised when traveling about the 
city. 
 
8. The seasons in Paraguay are the opposite of those in 
the United States.  Asuncion's climate is extremely hot 
from November through April and cool or mild in July 
and August.  The transitional seasons, May - June and 
September - October are unpredictable: they can be 
pleasant or hot.  Health conditions generally are good. 
The water in Asuncion is potable, and there are few 
reports of intestinal or stomach problems.  There is no 
endemic hepatitis or malaria in Asuncion although 
outbreaks of dengue fever are recurrent. 
 
9. As of March 23, 2005 the exchange rate is 6,300 
guaranies to one US dollar.  Personal Finances: 
official travelers may cash personal checks at the 
Embassy for amounts up to US$ 750.00 per week; and use 
their ATM cards at one of the many terminals located 
throughout the city.  Because of restrictions with the 
Embassy bank, Citibank, traveler's checks may only be 
cashed with one of the local exchange houses. 
 
10. Laptops/Palm Pilots, cellular telephones and other 
electronic devices:  Laptops/Palm Pilots may not be 
brought into the Embassy without the prior approval of 
the Regional Security Office.  Personally owned 
laptops/palm pilots may not/not be used in the Embassy. 
USG-owned laptops may only be used in Controlled Access 
Areas (CAA) if the user certifies that the computer has 
been continuously under the personal control of a 
cleared American throughout transit.  If this 
requirement is not met, the laptop can only be utilized 
outside of the CAA.  USG-owned palm pilots are under 
the same restrictions as cellular phones and other 
electronic devices, and may not be utilized within the 
CAA. 
 
11. Security Clearance:  State Department policy requires 
that all official visitors verify their security clearances, 
in writing, with the RSO in order to have unescorted access 
to the Embassy.  Visitors whose clearances are not verified 
must be escorted at all times.  TDY'ers must schedule a 
security in-briefing with the security office as soon as 
possible after arriving at post. Access badges will not be 
issued until the employee has acknowledged receipt of the 
required security briefing. 
KEANE