This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS MADRID 002649 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: AGAO OTRA SP
SUBJECT: SPAIN COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR WESLEY PHILLIPS AND 
JILL JOHNSON 
 
REF: SECSTATE 144612 
 
 ¶1.  Embassy welcomes and grants country clearance to Wesley 
Phillips and Jill Johnson, GAO Officials for travel to 
Madrid, July 18-20, to conduct a review of government and 
private sector practice for insuring against natural 
catastrophes and acts of terrorism. 
 
¶2.  Control Officer at Embassy Madrid is Economic Officer 
Aaron Jensen.  He can be reached at work (34-91-587-2384) on 
his mobile (34-676-007-799) or e-mail:  jensenaw@state.gov. 
 
¶3.  As requested in reftel, reservations have been made at 
the Hotel Intercontinental Castellana located at Paseo de la 
Castellana, 49, 28046 Madrid.  The hotel can be contacted at 
34-91-700-7300 or faxed at 34-91-319-5853. 
 
¶4.  Visitors are reminded that bearers of diplomatic and 
official passports coming to Spain on official business need 
to obtain a Spanish visa prior to arrival in Spain. 
 
¶5.  THREAT ASSESSMENT: 
 
In general, Spain is safe.  However, Madrid, Barcelona and 
other large cities in Spain -- including resort/convention 
areas such as Benidorm -- attract a large number of criminals 
and pickpockets and frequent incidents of crime of 
opportunity against the unwary do occur.  Carry only 
essential items including a photocopy of your passport's 
photo page.  Visitors can protect themselves against crime by 
being street-smart, alert and aware of their surroundings. In 
the event you are victimized by crime, or experience any 
security-related incident, please contact the Embassy's 
Regional Security Office at 91-587-2550 or after hours at 
91-587-2355.  Official visitors to the Embassy in Madrid or 
the Consulate General in Barcelona are encouraged to receive 
a security briefing from the RSO office at their earliest 
convenience.  Additional information regarding safety and 
security in Spain is available on the U.S. Department of 
State's website (http://www.state.gov) and the U.S. Embassy's 
website (www.embusa.es). 
 
Travelers are encouraged to review the most recent Worldwide 
Caution issued by the Department of State.  As the Department 
of State continues to develop information on any potential 
security threats to Americans overseas, it shares credible 
threat information through its Consular Information Program 
documents, available on the Internet at 
http://travel/state.gov.  In addition to information on the 
Internet, U.S. travelers can hear recorded information by 
calling the Department of State in Washington, D.C. at 
202-647-5225 from their touch-tone telephone, or receive 
information by automated telefax by dialing 202-647-3000 from 
their fax machine. 
MANZANARES