US embassy cable - 05ASUNCION563

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASUNCION 000563 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PTER, EAIR, OTRA, PA 
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR TRANSPORTATION SECURITY 
ADMINISTRATION (TSA) REPRESENTATIVE 
 
REF: BUENOS AIRES 000990 
 
1. As requested in reftel, country clearance is granted 
for TSA Representative Joseph G. Ochoa, III,(Security 
clearance: top secret), for travel to Asuncion during the 
period of April 26-29, 2005, for the purpose of visiting 
Embassy officials, host government, and TSA aviation 
security inspectors to review airport security assessment 
findings and attend out briefings of Silvio Pettirossi 
Airport.  The contact officer for the visit is R. Bryan 
Marcus, office tel.: (595/21) 213-715, ext. 2129.  Home 
tel.: (595/21) 615-181. 
 
2. Hotel reservations have been confirmed at the Asuncion 
Sheraton Hotel, (Av. Aviadores del Chaco 2066; telephone: 
(595/21) 617-7000).  This hotel is located approximately 
five miles from the Embassy.  Cost of the single room is 
USD 110.00 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 60,000 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.  Asuncions 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 April 25, 2005 the exchange rate is 6,210 
guaranies to one US dollar.  Personal Finances: Official 
travelers may cash personal checks at the Embassy for 
or 
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, ABN- 
AMRO, travelers 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. TDYers 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