VZCZCXYZ0030
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHMS #0784/01 2271156
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 151156Z AUG 07
FM AMEMBASSY MUSCAT
TO RUEHPH/CDC ATLANTA GA
INFO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8617

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000784 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR NEA/ARP 
DEPT PASS TO HHS FOR STEIGER OGHA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KSCA OTRA SWHO ASEC CDC MU
SUBJECT: MUSCAT COUNTRY CLEARANCE APPROVAL FOR STEPHEN COCHI 
 
REF: ATLANTA GA 03286 
 
¶1.  Embassy Muscat grants country clearance to Steven Cochi, 
Senior Advisor, CCIS/NCIRD, CDC, HHS to travel to Muscat from 
September 29 - October 3, 2007.  The purpose of travel is to 
participate in the Global Measles Management Meeting.  Please 
note action items in paragraphs five and eight. 
 
¶2.  Cellular Telephones: For security reasons, all visitors 
are required to possess a cellular telephone compatible with 
the GSM-900 frequency band used in Oman.  North American cell 
phones will work only if they are multi-band phones 
supporting GSM-900.  If visitors do not have a compatible 
cellular telephone, one will be issued by the Embassy through 
the control officer and the related expenses charged to the 
traveler's travel authorization.  Visitors are responsible 
for contacting the control officer upon arrival to coordinate 
cell phone distribution.  Large groups will be required to 
provide a fund cite in advance to cover rental costs.  Lost 
phones and chargers will be charged either to a fund cite or 
directly to the traveler if no fund cite is provided. 
 
¶3.  Control officer for this visit is Political/Economic 
Officer, Brian Grimm, office phone IVG/DSN: 741-3623; 
commercial: (968) 24-643-623; GSM (cell): (968) 99-459-887; 
email: CarlsonE2@state.gov, 24-hour Marine Security Guard at 
Post One is (968) 24-693-555.  Oman is eight hours ahead of 
Eastern Daylight Savings Time.  Embassy workweek is Saturday 
to Wednesday. 
 
¶4.  Post understands that no embassy assistance is requested. 
 
 
¶5.  Requirement for credit card or fundcite in advance of 
travel:  Travelers to Oman are advised that hotels in Oman 
are implementing a 24-hour cancellation policy, whereby 
reservations not guaranteed with a credit card may be 
released.  Further should guaranteed reservations be 
cancelled within 24 hours of the arrival date, or be cut 
short with less than 24 hours notice to the date being 
cancelled, hotels reserve the right to charge a one-night 
stay.  Should changes be made to a travel itinerary, please 
notify the control officer immediately.  In most cases, 
hotels will do their best to accommodate official visitors, 
provided notice of cancellations is given promptly. 
Travelers are strongly advised to contact either the hotel or 
the control officer with credit card information or provide 
the control officer with a fundcite in advance of arrival. 
 
¶6.  Visas: A visa is required for travel to Oman.  Travelers 
may purchase a visa valid for one month at the airport for 6 
Omani Rials (approximately USD 16).  Diplomatic passport 
holders usually are not required to pay, but may be required 
to do so depending on the Immigration Officer on duty at the 
time.  This visa may be renewed one time.  To reduce time in 
the airport, visitors can obtain visas from the Omani Embassy 
in the country of origin.  To do this, take a copy of travel 
orders or a letter from the agency stating that travel is 
official, to the Omani Embassy. 
 
¶7.  Forbidden items:  The Sultanate prohibits pornographic 
literature and firearms from entering Oman.  Local law limits 
each traveler to two bottles of alcohol.  Items subject to 
confiscation at the airport include but are not limited to 
compact discs and videos and audiocassettes. 
 
¶8.  Customs:  To assist with customs, visitors should inform 
the Embassy by fax (968-24-643-740, ATTN: GSO, Customs and 
Shipping) of any special or unusual tools or items that they 
plan to bring into Oman.  The fax must be received by GSO AT 
LEAST 14 days prior to arrival.  The importation of special 
tools must be coordinated with local customs authorities. 
Travelers ignoring this requirement risk having their items 
detained at the airport.  Note:  This applies only to unusual 
items.  It does not apply to items such as laptops.  If the 
traveler has any questions regarding this requirement, please 
contact the control officer listed in para 3. 
 
 
------------------------------------ 
CURRENT SECURITY ENVIRONMENT IN OMAN 
------------------------------------ 
 
¶9.  Crime: Street crimes and crimes of physical violence are 
very rare in Muscat, especially within the diplomatic 
community.  Nevertheless, travelers to Oman are vulnerable to 
crimes of opportunity.  Do not leave valuables in plain sight 
when exiting your hotel room.  Most hotel rooms are equipped 
with small safes for personal property.  If one is not 
available, or you have larger items to stores, use a safety 
deposit box at the hotel front desk.  Additionally, keep your 
money separate from your passport, credit cards, and other 
important documents.  Do not leave valuables in plain sight 
in your vehicle.  When traveling at night, park your vehicle 
in locations that are well illuminated.  Common sense and 
caution are always the best crime prevention.  However, if 
you are the victim of a crime, contact MSG Post 1 
(968-24-693-555) immediately for Embassy assistance. 
 
¶10.  Political Violence:  Oman and specifically Muscat are 
not "hot spots" for internal political violence or 
anti-American terrorism.  However, fluctuating events in the 
Middle East can escalate political tensions in the Arabian 
Gulf and the security situation can rapidly change.  Although 
peaceful demonstrations have occurred whenever local tensions 
boil over, these demonstrations have been well-controlled by 
the Royal Oman Police.  To receive current information on the 
local security atmosphere, visitors must receive a security 
briefing from the RSO at the earliest opportunity.  Visitors 
are reminded to maintain a heightened state of security 
awareness; doing so will help ensure a safe stay in Muscat. 
Check travel.state.gov for current travel advisories, 
including the Middle East region. 
 
------------------- 
LOCAL SENSITIVITIES 
------------------- 
 
¶11.  Local Sensitivities:  Modest dress is the rule in Oman. 
Men and women should avoid wearing shorts and sleeveless 
shirts in public places, although wearing conservative 
swimming suits is acceptable at hotel beaches.  Photography 
of military, religious, and government installations is 
forbidden and one should ask permission before photographing 
Omani nationals. 
 
¶12.  For additional information about the Embassy and Oman, 
please check the Embassy Intranet website: 
http://muscat.state.gov; the Department's Overseas Security 
Advisory Council website http:/www.ds-osac.org; and the 
Government of Oman Internet website: http://www.omanet.om. 
If you have access to the State Department Classified System 
visit the Embassy SIPRNET website: 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/muscat. 
GRAPPO