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Cablegate: Senegal: Annual Overses Security Advisory Council (Osac)

VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHDK #3007/01 3601416
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 261416Z DEC 06
FM AMEMBASSY DAKAR
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 7157

UNCLAS DAKAR 003007

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR DS/DSS, DS/IP/AF, DS/IP/ITA AND DS/DS/ICI
DEPARTMENT ALSO FOR DS/SPC/MSG, DS/PSP/PSDAND DS/ICI/PII

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC CAS AMGT APER SG
SUBJECT: SENEGAL: ANNUAL OVERSES SECURITY ADVISORY COUNCIL (OSAC)
CRIME AND SAFTY REPORTS

REF: STATE 199547

I. OVERALL CRIE AND SAFETY SITUATION
-------------------------------------
1. Dakar is a high-crime post according to the number and frequency
of crimes committed. Like most large cities, the full spectrum of
criminal activity can be found. Official Americans,
businesspersons, and visitors are victimized primarily by crimes of
opportunity, e.g., pick-pocketing, purse-snatching, thefts from
vehicles, minor assaults, and burglaries taking advantage of
unlocked doors and windows. The level of crime has made walking
outside at night not recommended. Americans walking in downtown
Dakar are often approached by aggressive vendors and street
criminals looking to sell something for an inflated price or a
potential victim.

2. After several years of relative quiet in the Casamance, there
has been an increase in armed banditry and fighting between rebel
separatists and the Senegalese military. The U.S. Embassy sent a
warden notice on December 6 advising against all non-essential
travel to the Ziguinchor region, including Cap Skirring. Throughout
the history of the insurgency, there have been few incidents of
fighting within the city of Ziguinchor and the resort area of Cap
Skirring. Rural areas have been the sites of sporadic violent
attacks on Senegalese military and civilian personnel and, on rare
occasions, tourists.

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II. POLITICAL VIOLENCE
-----------------------
3. Senegal is considered one of the most stable democracies in West
Africa. There has been no known terrorist targeting of private
American citizens to date. Public protests, demonstrations, and
strikes occur regularly and often become violent. Special
consideration should be taken in early 2007 as this is an election
year and an increase in demonstrations is expected. Americans
should avoid large political gatherings as riot police may quickly
resort to batons and tear gas as a means of crowd control.

III. POST-SPECIFIC CONCERNS
----------------------------
4. The single greatest danger posed to Americans in Dakar is
vehicle accidents, especially at night. Drivers in Dakar are
aggressive, unpredictable and untrained. Poor traffic markers,
changing traffic patterns, and road construction throughout the city
confuse even the savviest of drivers. Taxis and buses are often in
poor working condition.

IV. POLICE RESPONSE
--------------------
5. The police, like many police forces in Africa, are under-funded,
-staffed, and -equipped. Police often request money for what
Americans consider routine police duties. Dakar is patrolled
predominantly by the police, who typically wear green/khaki uniforms
and either a red or black beret. The Gendarmes, a military unit of
police, wear blue uniforms or green fatigues and blue berets. The
downtown area of Dakar is primarily under police jurisdiction.
Outside of Dakar, one finds Gendarmes. Normally both law
enforcement bodies will only be able to provide rudimentary
assistance. In the event of any emergency, call the embassy at
823-4296 (Monday - Friday, (0800-1700) or 823-6520 after hours.

6. If arrested, ask to contact the American Embassy. This request
is not always honored expeditiously and may need to be repeated. Do
not ignore a policeman's lawful/reasonable orders. Becoming
belligerent will only exacerbate the situation and prolong your
detention.

V. MEDICAL EMERGENCIES
-----------------------
7. Several hospitals and clinics in Dakar can treat a wide variety
of injuries and illnesses. There is inadequate in-patient
psychiatric care, though there is very good office-based psychiatry.
Public hospitals do not meet U.S. standards, but several private
clinics are at the level of small European hospitals, and even
approach U.S. community hospital standards. The Embassy maintains a
list of physicians and other health care professionals who will see
U.S.-citizen patients. The Embassy does not guarantee their
services or recommend any of the physicians. Medical facilities
outside Dakar are limited.

8. French medications are more readily available than American
drugs, and the limited selection of American drugs in stock is often
listed under the French trade names. Medications may be obtained at
pharmacies throughout Dakar and in other areas frequented by
tourists, and are sometimes less expensive than those in the U.S.
Travelers should carry a supply of any needed prescription
medicines, along with copies of the prescriptions, including the
generic name for the drugs, and a supply of preferred
over-the-counter medications.

VI. TIPS ON HOW TO AVOID BECOMING A VICTIM
-------------------------------------------
9. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash. If one must carry cash,
break it up and place it in different areas on one's person. Do not
carry credit cards unless one plans to use them on a specific
outing.

10. Senegalese law requires that one have valid identifying
documents at all times. Make photocopies of one's passport,
driver's license, and other ID and carry copies while on the street.
As a rule, the police do not distinguish between original documents
and photocopies. Place original documents, including passports,
into secure storage at your hotel or place of business.

11. Do not wear expensive jewelry, or necklaces of any value, as
these are targeted for snatch and grab type crimes. Do not carry
backpacks or fanny packs, as they brand an individual as a tourist.
Carry bags with short straps that can easily be placed under one's
arm.

12. Never accept anything from anyone on the street unless you are
planning to buy the item. This is also true for anyone presenting
you with a "gift." This is a favorite ploy of street criminals, who
will then request money in return. Minimize your verbal contact
with anyone other than legitimate contacts you may have. Just say
"no" and be persistent and forceful.

13. Never walk alone at night or drive into unfamiliar areas. If
one does drive and park, it is common practice for a street person
to offer to watch the car while one shops or eats in a restaurant.
Paying the 100 CFA ($.20) after you return can deter mischief
directed at the vehicle. Park in well-lit and well-traveled areas,
if possible.

14. Always negotiate a price before getting into a taxi. Although
difficult given the current construction situation, have the driver
use only the main roads into town, no shortcuts, and never get into
a taxi that is already occupied. If the cab stops to pick up
someone else, tell the driver that you will not pay him. The driver
may be trying to set up a pick-pocketing.

15. At the airport: If one's job does not call for extensive use
of a laptop computer, then do not carry one. Customs can hold any
expensive electronic device for an exoneration period to ensure that
one is not attempting to resell the item and avoid customs duties.
Upon clearing customs, one will be bombarded by "expediters" and
"taxi handlers" who want money. Avoid these individuals. The taxi
fare is between 3,000-4,000 CFA francs for trips between downtown
and the airport. (Fares are slightly higher at night.)

VII. FURTHER INFORMATION
-------------------------
16. All Embassy offices can be reached by calling 823-4296 Monday -
Friday (0800-1700) or 823-6520 after hours. The Regional Security
Officer John Bray can also be reached using the numbers above.

VII. OSAC COUNTRY COUNCIL
--------------------------
17. Dakar's OSAC Country Council meets quarterly. Points of
contact for the council are RSO John Bray brayfj2@state.gov and ARSO
Barrett Bishop bishopb@state.gov. They both can be reached by
calling 823-4296 Monday - Friday, (0800-1700) or 823-6520 after
hours.

JACKSON

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