US embassy cable - 05ASUNCION1270

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASUNCION 001270 
 
SIPDIS 
 
BUENOS AIRES FOR ECONOFF 
BRASILIA FOR ECONOFF 
SAO PAULO FOR POL/ECON CHIEF DAVID WOLFE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ETRD, OTRA, PA 
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR JTIC USDEL AND ASSOCIATED 
TRAVEL 
 
REF: STATE 184542 
 
1. Per reftel, country clearance is granted for members of 
the U.S. Delegation to the U.S.-Paraguay JCTI: (1) Mary 
Teresa Sullivan, USTR, delegation head, (Security clearance: 
top secret), for travel to Asuncion during the period of 
October 11-13, 2005; (2) David Nolan, State/WHA/BSC 
(Security clearance: top secret), for travel to Asuncion 
during the period of October 9-13, and to Ciudad del Este 
for the period October 13-15, 2005; and (3) Anna Maria 
Francesca Adamo, State/EB/TPP/IPE (Security clearance: top 
secret) for travel to Asuncion for the period of October 11- 
 
SIPDIS 
October 13, 2005 and to Ciudad del Este for the period 
October 14-16, 2005.  The contact officer for the visit is 
Economic and Commercial Counselor Patrick O'Reilly, office 
tel.: (595/21) 213-715, Ext. 2015.  Home tel.: (595/21) 612- 
758, cell phone: (0971) 940-001. 
 
2. Hotel reservations have been confirmed at the Granados 
Park hotel, (address: 15 de Agosto and Estrella street, 
telephone (595/21)497-921).  This hotel is located 
approximately three miles from the Embassy.  Cost of the 
single room is USD77.00 per night with tax, breakfast and 
transportation from airport to hotel included.  Hotel 
reservations for David Nolan, Debra McCarthy and Nick Noyes 
for October 13, 2005 have also been confirmed at the 
Casablanca hotel.  This hotel is located approximately 7.5 
miles from the city (half an hour ride).  Cost of the single 
room is USD74.80 with tax and breakfast included. 
 
3. Due to budget constraints, post will only provide an 
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. 
 
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 10/06/2005 the exchange rate is 6,090 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 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