US embassy cable - 05ASUNCION1229

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASUNCION 001229 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: AMED 
SUBJECT:  COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR MS. CAROLYN MERMON, REGIONAL 
MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIST 
 
REF: MEXICO 005862 
 
1.  Country clearance is granted for Ms. Carolyn Mermon, 
Regional Medical Technologist from Mexico City, for travel 
to Asuncion during the period of October 5 to October 8, 
2005 for the purpose of providing support to Post and to 
visit local laboratories and blood banks, per reftel.  The 
contact officer for the visit is Maria Fernandez, Office 
tel.: (595)(21) 213-715, Ext 2025. Home tel.: (595)(21) 296- 
212.  Cellular tel. Number:  (595) 0971-204-333. 
 
2.  Hotel reservations have been confirmed at the Sheraton 
Hotel, 2066 Aviadores del Chaco Avenue; telephone: (595)(21) 
617-7000, Fax: (595)(21) 617-7001.  This hotel is located 
approximately eight miles from the Embassy.  Cost of the 
single/double room is USD 110.00 per night with breakfast 
included. 
 
3.  Maria Fernandez will meet Ms. Carolyn Mermon at airport. 
 
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 09/28/05 the exchange rate is 6,100 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, 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 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