Cablegate: Country Clearance for Codel Mccollum

VZCZCXYZ0008
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHTU #0693 1781423
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 261423Z JUN 08
FM AMEMBASSY TUNIS
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5240

UNCLAS TUNIS 000693

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/MAG (NARDI)
STATE ALSO FOR H - PLEASE PASS CODEL MCCOLLUM

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OREP PGOV PREL ECON PTER TS
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR CODEL MCCOLLUM

1. Embassy Tunis grants country clearance and warmly welcomes
Representative McCollum and accompanying members of CODEL
McCollum to Tunisia from July 1 - 5, 2008.

2. The point of contact for the visit is Political Officer
Trina Saha. Contact information for Ms. Saha is as follows:
Phone: 216-71-107-362 or 216-71-107-000; Fax: 216-71-090;
Cell: 216-20-354-536; Home: 216-71-752-101; e-mail:
SahaTD@state.gov.

3. Hotel: Reservations have been made for CODEL McCollum 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/.

4. Arrivals: Post will meet and assist arriving participants
at the airport with Embassy expediter and vehicle, and will
assist with departure.

5. Currency Exchange: Post will provide accommodation
exchange on arrival. Current exchange rate is approximately
USD 1 = TND 1.168.

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

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

8. Post requires that security clearances of personnel
accompanying the Members of Congress be forwarded as soon as
possible.

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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