US embassy cable - 05ASUNCION812

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASUNCION 000812 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR L/LEI- H.COLLUMS AND G. HARRIS 
DOJ FOR DOJ/OIA- J. LEHTMAN 
BUENOS AIRES FOR LEGATT, A. RODRIGUEZ 
DEA FOR SPECIALOPSDIV VA 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: CJAN, CVIS, KCRM, SNAR, PA 
SUBJECT: Country Clearance Cable 
 
Ref:  Whiteman/Dodd 6-24 e-mail 
 
1. As requested in refcon, country clearance is granted 
for Brian Dodd, Robert F. Zachariasiewicz, Steven Orr 
and Edward Dailey for travel to Asuncion from June 25 
through June 27 to extradite Carlos Ivan Mendes 
Mesquita.  The contact officer for the visit is Chad 
Whiteman, office tel.: 595-(0)21-213-715, ext. 2055. 
Cellular phone:  595-(0)971-377-270. 
 
2. Hotel reservations have been confirmed at the 
Sheraton Hotel, (address: Aviadores del Chaco 2066; 
telephone: 595-21-617-7000).  This hotel is located 
approximately 4 miles from the Embassy.  Cost of the 
single/double room is USD 110 per night with tax and 
breakfast included. 
 
3. Due to budget constraints, post will only provide 
airport expediter for initial arrival and final 
departure of employees assigned to post, as well as for 
senior officials. Other travelers requiring special 
assistance should request an expediter in advance and 
provide fiscal data. 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. We are arranging a visa waiver for travelers in 
this instance, due to the short notice of the trip. 
 
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 June 24, 2005, the exchange rate is 
6080 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, ABN-AMRO, traveler's checks may only be 
cashed with one of the local exchange houses. 
 
10. Laptops, Personal Digital Assistants (PDA) 
Pilots, cellular telephones and other electronic 
devices: Laptops and PDAs may not be brought into 
the Embassy without the prior approval of the Regional 
Security Office. Personally owned laptops, PDAs 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 PDAs 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 border 
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.