Cablegate: Country Clearance to Tunisia Granted for Codel

VZCZCXYZ0004
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHTU #1516 3271437
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 231437Z NOV 07
FM AMEMBASSY TUNIS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4143
INFO RUEHAM/AMEMBASSY AMMAN PRIORITY 1352

UNCLAS TUNIS 001516

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE PLEASE PASS H FOR CODEL INOUYE
STATE ALSO FOR NEA/MAG (HARRIS)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OREP AMGT ASEC TS JO
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE TO TUNISIA GRANTED FOR CODEL
INOUYE

REF: STATE 158647

1. Embassy Tunis grants country clearance and warmly welcomes
Senator Daniel K. Inouye, Senator Ted Stevens and
accompanying members of CODEL Inouye to Tunisia from November
25-26, 2007.

2. Point of contact for the visit is Political Officer
Susannah Cooper. Contact information for Ms. Cooper is as
follows: Phone: 216-71-107-306 or 216-71-107-000; Fax:
216-71-107-090; Cell: 216-95-104-413; Home: 216-71-775-221;
email: Cooperse@state.gov.

3. Post will meet and assist at the airport with Embassy
expeditor and vehicles.

4. Reservations have been made for CODEL Inouye at the Les
Berges du Lac Concorde Hotel, Rue du Lac Turkana, 1053 Tunis,
Tunisia. Room rate for single rooms is USD 119, including
breakfast, taxes and Internet. Hotel Phone: (216)
71-961-951. Fax: (216) 71-961-952. Website:
tunis.concorde-hotels.com/en/.

5. The Embassy will provide accommodation exchange at the
hotel. Current approximate exchange rate is USD 1 equals
1.200 Tunisian Dinnars.

6. Embassy Tunis' normal workweek is Monday through Friday;
office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Tunisian Government
offices are closed on Friday afternoon.

7. Entry requirements: a valid passport is required; no visa
is necessary.

8. Post requests delegation members' security clearances be
forwarded to facilitate requested briefings.

9. Travelers with private or U.S. Government (USG) owned
electronic devices including laptops, peripherals, diskettes,
tapes, and other media, must receive RSO/ISSO authorization
before these items can be allowed into Embassy facilities.
Classified computers must be sent to post via the classified
diplomatic pouch, or be hand carried by a non-professional
diplomatic courier. All classified equipment must bear
external USG bar-coded inventory numbers and classification
marking commensurate with the highest level of information
processed on the system. Cellular/mobile phones and
palm-pilots are prohibited in Controlled Access Areas.
Questions concerning other types of electronic devices and
magnetic media may be directed to the ISSO or RSO.
Electricity in Tunisia is 220 Volts.

10. Security/Crime Information: Tunisia is a moderate Arab
country that has traditionally enjoyed peace and stability.
However, in light of the September 11 attacks in the United
States and in view of the ongoing violence in Israel, the
West Bank, Gaza and elsewhere in the Middle East region, the
American Embassy reminds visitors to maintain a high level of
vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their
security awareness. While the Government of Tunisia has and
will continue to make every effort to protect foreigners,
visitors should avoid large crowds and crowded public areas
and keep in regular contact with the Embassy.

11. Tunisian security forces are omnipresent and generally
ensure public order. Low level, non-violent property crimes
of opportunity are relatively common. Pickpockets and
purse-snatchers are common in areas with high volume tourist
traffic, such as the Tunis Medina (old city) and central
market. It is prudent to exercise normal travel security
precautions and maintain a low profile as one would in any
major U.S. city. This should help to ensure an incident-free
visit.
GODEC

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