US embassy cable - 05ASUNCION1127

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASUNCION 001127 
 
SIPDIS 
 
USDA FOR FAS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAGR, OTRA, PA 
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR AGRICULTURAL ATTACHE KARI 
ROJAS AND ASSISTANT ANDREA YANKELEVICH 
 
REF: BUENOS AIRES 002185 
 
1. As requested in reftel, country clearance is 
granted for Kari Rojas, Agricultural Attache, 
(Security clearance: top secret), and Assistant Andrea 
Yankelevich (FSN employee) for travel to Asuncion, 
Paraguay during the period of September 7-10, 2005 for 
the purpose of meeting with representatives of the 
agricultural sector, and gathering information for the 
biotechnology annual report.  The contact person for 
the visit is Economic and Commercial Attache R. Bryan 
Marcus, office tel.: 595/21 213-715, ext. 2129.  Home 
tel.: 595/21 615-181, Cellular tel. Number: (0971)976- 
111. 
 
2. Per paragraph 2 of reftel, no Embassy assistance is 
required. 
 
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.  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 September 6, 2005 the exchange rate is 6,070 
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 
he 
Embassy bank, Citibank, 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