Cablegate: Spain Country Clearance for Codel Smith

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS MADRID 001792

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OREP AMGT ASEC AFIN SP
SUBJECT: SPAIN COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR CODEL SMITH

REF: STATE 97138

1. Embassy welcomes and grants country clearance to Codel
Smith for travel to Madrid, May 23-25.

2. Control Officer at Embassy Madrid is Political Officer
Joseph R. Babb. He can be reached at work (34-91-587-2294)
on his mobile (34-616-000-859) at home (34-91-575-0081) via
fax (34-91-587-2391) or e-mail: babbjr@state.gov.

3. As requested in reftel, reservations have been made at
the Hotel Westin Palace located at Plaza de las Cortes, 7,
28014 Madrid. The hotel can be contacted at 34-91-360-8000
or faxed at 34-91-360-8100.

4. Visitors are reminded that bearers of diplomatic and
official passports coming to Spain on official business need
to obtain a Spanish visa prior to arrival in Spain.

5. THREAT ASSESSMENT:

In general, Spain is safe. However, Madrid, Barcelona and
other large cities in Spain -- including resort/convention
areas such as Benidorm -- attract a large number of criminals
and pickpockets and frequent incidents of crime of
opportunity against the unwary do occur. Carry only
essential items including a photocopy of your passport's
photo page. Visitors can protect themselves against crime by
being street-smart, alert and aware of their surroundings. In
the event you are victimized by crime, or experience any
security-related incident, please contact the Embassy's
Regional Security Office at 91-587-2550 or after hours at
91-587-2355. Official visitors to the Embassy in Madrid or
the Consulate General in Barcelona are encouraged to receive
a security briefing from the RSO office at their earliest
convenience. Additional information regarding safety and
security in Spain is available on the U.S. Department of
State's website (http://www.state.gov) and the U.S. Embassy's
website (www.embusa.es).

Travelers are encouraged to review the most recent Worldwide
Caution issued by the Department of State. As the Department
of State continues to develop information on any potential
security threats to Americans overseas, it shares credible
threat information through its Consular Information Program
documents, available on the Internet at
http://travel/state.gov. In addition to information on the
Internet, U.S. travelers can hear recorded information by
calling the Department of State in Washington, D.C. at
202-647-5225 from their touch-tone telephone, or receive
information by automated telefax by dialing 202-647-3000 from
their fax machine.
ARGYROS

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