VZCZCXRO2834
PP RUEHDE RUEHDIR
DE RUEHDO #0837/01 3361048
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 011048Z DEC 08
FM AMEMBASSY DOHA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8485
INFO RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD PRIORITY 0229
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD PRIORITY 1152
RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL PRIORITY 0188
RUEHKU/AMEMBASSY KUWAIT PRIORITY 8944
RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DOHA 000837 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OREP AMGT ASEC AFIN KW AF PK QA IZ
SUBJECT: EMBASSY DOHA WARMLY WELCOMES CODEL BAIRD (DECEMBER 
2-3 AND 5-6) 
 
REF: STATE 125531 
 
¶1. Embassy Doha warmly welcomes the December 2-3 and 5-6 
visits to Qatar of United States Representative Brian Baird; 
United States Representative Lincoln Davis; Dr. Nichloas 
Palarino, Senior Investigator and Policy Advisor, Committee 
on Oversight and Government Reform; Brooke Bennett, 
Professional Staff Member, Committee on Oversight and 
Government Reform;  and Major Toby Patterson. 
 
¶2.  Point of contact:  Embassy Control Officer is Political 
Officer David Caudill.  Contact information for Control 
Officer is:  Work Phone:  974-496-6753; Fax:  974-488-6709; 
Mobile: 974-552-7390; Email:  CaudillDR@state.gov. 
 
¶3. The Embassy workweek is Sunday through Thursday from 8:00 
AM to 4:30 PM.  Friday and Saturday are weekend days. Qatar 
time is EST plus 8 hours.  Embassy contact numbers are: 
Switchboard:  974-488-4101; Fax:  974-488-4298; After Hours 
Duty Officer:  974-553-1085. 
 
¶4. Accommodation: Post has reserved rooms within the per diem 
rate for both legs of the visit at the Ramada Plaza Hotel; 
Telephone 974-428-1428; Fax 974-441-0941 . 
 
¶5. Arrival in Qatar:  Visitors will be met on arrival by an 
embassy driver/expediter. 
 
¶6. Every civilian entering Qatar through Al Udeid Air Base 
MUST acquire a Qatari visa in advance of arrival.  Department 
of Defense and military personnel may, however, enter on 
their CAC card AND a copy of their military orders.  It is 
essential that these requirements be met, since there is no 
provision for acquiring a visa or waiving the visa 
requirement at the base. 
 
The following is standard information provided to all 
official visitors: 
 
¶7. All bags are subject to inspection and x-raying upon 
arrival, including those of diplomatic passport holders. 
 
¶8. Electronic Devices:  Only U.S. government-owned electronic 
devices are authorized for use within the Embassy.  Laptops, 
personal computers, and all types of cameras (cell phones 
with camera and digital cameras) must have prior approval 
from the Regional Security Officer (RSO).  Unclassified 
portable computers intended for use within the CAA on a 
long-term basis (over 30 days) must be shipped via 
professional or non-pro Diplomatic courier.  Classified 
portable computers must remain within the CAA at all times. 
 
¶9. Sensitivity toward host country customs must be observed. 
Revealing dress should not be worn.  Qatari customs 
authorities prohibit the importation of alcohol, pork 
products, and materials that might be deemed suggestive or 
pornographic.  Such items will be confiscated at the airport 
and not returned.  All videotapes will be confiscated for 
review.  Alcoholic beverages are available only in hotel 
restaurants.  In observance of local customs, most shops in 
Doha close from 1300 to 1630 hours. 
 
¶10. Travelers should arrive with sufficient funds (cash, 
travelers checks, credit cards) to cover their stay in 
country.  Local hotels and vendors do not accept personal 
checks.  The Embassy has limited accommodation exchange 
facilities.  Currency exchange is available at the airport 
and hotel.  The current exchange rate is 3.64 Qatari 
Riyals to one U.S. Dollar.  Cirrus and Plus money cards may 
be used at most local ATM machines, which operate at hotels. 
 
¶11. Summer temperatures in Qatar (April - October) range from 
the mid 100's to the low 120's with high  humidity.  Dust 
storms and can add to the discomfort of the extreme summer 
temperatures.  Winter temperatures (November - March) range 
from the mid 60's to low 80's. 
 
¶12. Security:  Travelers are urged to keep informed of 
American actions in the region, exercise due vigilance, and 
maintain unpredictable patterns while residing at post. 
Crime is at a low level.  Petty crime and thefts from hotel 
rooms are infrequent but have occurred in the past. 
Travelers should refer to travel warnings and public 
announcements issued regarding travel in the region. 
Employees and accompanying family members should contact the 
Security Office on arrival for a thorough security briefing. 
The State Department's Consular Information Sheet for Qatar 
can be found at: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis pa 
 
DOHA 00000837  002 OF 002 
 
 
tw/cis/cis 1003. 
LeBaron