US embassy cable - 05DHAKA3734

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DHAKA 003734 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE PLEASE PASS USTDA 
USDOC FOR 3132/USFCS/OIO/EAP/ABACHER/AGELFUSO 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: BMGT, OTRA, BEXP, BG, Country Clearance 
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED TO STACY BONNAFFONS 
 
REF: BANGKOK 4863 
 
1.  Embassy Dhaka welcomes and grants country clearance for 
Ms. Stacy Bonnaffons, U.S. Trade and Development Agency 
(USTDA) Regional Manager of Asia Business Development based 
in Bangkok during her August 6-10, 2005 visit.  Control 
officer is Dayle Johns, Economic Officer, Economic and 
Commercial Office; TEL: 880-2-885-5500 ext. 2206, (mobile) 
011-804-344, (home) 880-2-885-5550, (fax) 880-2-882-4008. 
 
2.   Hotel arrangements have been made/confirmed at Hotel 
Lake Shore; House #46, Road #41, Gulshan-2; TEL. 885-9991 and 
886-1787. The Mission,s workweek is Sunday-Thursday from 
0800 to 1630 hours. There will not be a local/American 
holiday during the visit period. 
 
3.   Embassy expediter will meet and assist Ms. Bonnaffons on 
arrival.  Please advise if there is any change in flight 
information. Notional schedule/any additional requests should 
be communicated to post via e-mail. 
 
4.   Please note the following: 
 
A)   IMPORTANT.  Personnel entering Bangladesh are required 
to possess a valid passport, with a minimum validity of six 
months.  A valid visa is also required prior to arrival. 
 
B)   Departure:  All personnel (including holders of 
diplomatic and official passports) are urged to use the 
services of the U.S. Mission,s travel agent for reconfirming 
onward travel and to verify if the departure tax of 300 taka 
300 (approximately USD 5) and the travel tax (approximately 
2500 taka) have been included in the cost of the ticket.  If 
not included, travelers must pay in taka at the airport. 
 
C)   Currency:  The local use of U.S. dollars is prohibited 
by law, except for the payment of a hotel bill. 
Accommodation exchange for incidental local expenses is 
available at the Chancery.  Reverse accommodation exchange is 
available only at the original place of exchange with 
original documents and receipts as proof.  Automatic Teller 
Machines (ATMs) are very limited, not readily accessible, and 
dispense taka only.  Traveler checks cannot be used in most 
establishments except international hotels.  Most major 
credit cards are accepted at international hotels. 
 
D)   American Recreation Association (Embassy club) 
facilities are available to U.S. citizen official visitors 
for a temporary membership fee of USD 10.00 per week.  In 
addition to the membership fee, you will be required to 
purchase a cash card.  A copy of your passport data page or a 
passport-sized photograph is necessary to obtain a cash card. 
 This card will enable you to have meals and use club 
facilities (which include tennis court, squash court, 
swimming pool, exercise room, and restaurant/bar.) 
 
E)  The U.S. Commissary facility is available to U.S. citizen 
official visitors who are USG employees.  However, payment is 
permitted only by USD personal check or traveler checks. 
 
F)  Health: All travelers must have health insurance to cover 
medical evacuations by air ambulance, and should carry with 
them the 24/7 contact information for their insurer.  Medical 
care in Bangladesh is very basic. 
 
Intestinal problems are common in Dhaka.  Visitors must 
exercise care in what they eat and drink.  Presume that all 
tap water is contaminated, even in hotels.  Travelers are 
advised to drink bottled/boiled water and eat only fruits and 
vegetables that have been cooked and peeled.  Undercooked 
meat should be avoided.  Travelers should also avoid eating 
uncooked dairy products and food sold on the streets. 
Visitors who take medication on a regular basis should bring 
enough for the duration of their visit. 
 
The U.S. Mission has a Medical Unit staffed by a U.S. 
physician and registered nurses.  Visitors should bring a 
supply of mosquito repellent to Dhaka.  There have been cases 
of mosquito-borne illnesses, including dengue fever, which is 
transmitted by a day-biting mosquito.  Supplies are usually 
available in the commissary; however, you should bring your 
own supply in case you arrive in Dhaka when the commissary is 
closed (on Sunday).  We also recommend that travelers have 
updated immunizations, especially for typhoid. 
 
G)  Security: Bangladesh continues to experience some 
anti-American sentiment as the result of U.S. military and 
other actions in the war against terrorism and events in the 
Middle East.  Demonstrations have the potential to take place 
any time and to be unruly.  In addition, longstanding rivalry 
between the two leading political parties prompt periodic 
general strikes (hartals), public demonstrations, and 
marches.  Normal vehicular traffic is discouraged during the 
hartals.  Visitors should strictly avoid all political 
protests, demonstrations and marches. 
 
With the prior approval of the RSO, visitors may carry an 
unclassified laptop into the Controlled Access Area provided 
 
SIPDIS 
the laptop is transported under the immediate personal 
control of the visitor or via diplomatic pouch. 
The Embassy advises Americans to be aware of their 
surroundings at all times, to avoid predictable behavior, and 
not to accept packages from unknown individuals.  Sensitive 
or personal matters should not be discussed over local 
telephone lines. 
The State Department classifies the crime threat in Dhaka as 
high.  While foreigners are not generally the targets of 
violent crimes, pick-pocketing, purse-snatching, and other 
forms of street crime occur frequently, especially in areas 
frequented by foreigners.  Visitors should avoid walking 
alone after dark, carrying large sums of money, or wearing 
expensive jewelry.  Valuables should be stored in the hotel 
safety deposit box and should not be left unattended in hotel 
rooms.  Visitors should use the Embassy Motor pool as the 
Chief of Mission has declared public transportation to be 
unsafe.  In addition, you should keep the Embassy,s 24-hour 
emergency telephone number available at all times (885-5500); 
receptionists are on duty 24 hours a day. 
 
5.  We look forward to your visit. 
CHAMMAS