VZCZCXYZ0002
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHKB #0473/01 0871251
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 281251Z MAR 06
FM AMEMBASSY BAKU
TO RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
INFO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9971

UNCLAS BAKU 000473 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
TREASURY PASS TO IET/FLORA DJAVADKHANI 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EFIN OTRA AJ
SUBJECT: AZERBAIJAN:  COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR MR. RICHARD 
SHERWOOD 
 
REF: TREASURY 271643Z MAR 06 
 
¶1.  Embassy Baku warmly welcomes and grants country 
clearance to Mr. Richard Sherwood to travel to Baku 17-28 
April 2006, to work with the resident tax advisor and the 
Azerbaijani Ministry of Tax on the Tax Administration 
Project.  Control officer will be Economic Officer David 
McCormick.  Mr. McCormick can be reached at the Embassy 
at: 
 
   Email: McCormickDL@State.Gov 
   Mobile: (994) (50) 206-9603 
   International Line: (994) (12) 498-03-35, 36, OR 37, 
   Tie Line: 841-0000 OR 0+4240 
   International Fax:  (994) (12) 465-66-71 
   Tie Line Fax: 841-4289. 
 
¶2.  Accommodations:  Embassy understands no assistance is 
required and a reservation has been made at the Hyatt 
Park Hotel by OTA's travel office.  Please send 
confirmation number for the Hyatt Hotel to the control 
officer so Embassy can submit VAT exemption letter. 
 
¶3.  Visas:  All travelers are advised to obtain visas for 
all/all stops on their itinerary prior to their 
departure.  We recommend that travelers obtain Azeri 
visas from the Embassy of Azerbaijan at the point of 
origin, and that they allow 10 days for processing of the 
visa request.  If visas cannot be obtained at the 
traveler's point of origin, an airport visa can be issued 
upon arrival.  Please proof read your visa carefully.  An 
occasional Embassy guest has received a visa with an 
error in it.  If traveling on a Diplomatic Passport there 
is no fee.  If traveling on tourist or official 
passports, there is a dollars 40 fee for a one entry, one 
month visa.  Passport assistance is available at the 
passport counter in room 1258 of the State Department. 
The Embassy of Azerbaijan requires a minimum of two 
working days to process visa requests.  Should the 
projected itinerary include transit through Turkey, 
visitors must obtain Turkish visas in advance.  Bearers 
of Diplomatic or Official Passports are not permitted to 
purchase airport visas in Turkey and will be denied exit 
from the Istanbul airport.  If transit through Russia is 
necessary, travelers must obtain transit visas in 
advance. 
 
¶4.  Travel advisory:  Travelers are advised also that the 
alternate landing site for BA flight London-Baku is 
Tbilisi, Georgia.  The alternate landing site would be 
used only in situations, which prohibit landing at Baku 
Heydar Aliyev International Airport. 
 
¶5.  Web site:  Useful information for all travelers is 
available on the internet at http://baku.usembassy.gov. 
Follow links for consular services: traveling to 
Azerbaijan. 
 
¶6.  General reminders: 
 
   --  bring sufficient cash to pay for all expenses except 
lodging.  Credit cards are still accepted only by 
businesses that cater to foreigners, such as hotels, 
travel agencies, international airlines and a few 
restaurants. 
 
    --  the Embassy has a CIRRUS/Plus network ATM machine, 
which accepts most U.S. bank cards.  It dispenses both 
the local currency (Azerbaijani manat) and U.S. dollars. 
 
    --  bring supplies of all hard-to-find foods, toiletries 
and medicines.  Western commodities are sold in Baku but 
are expensive and not always available. 
 
--  drink only bottled water;  tap water is not potable. 
 
¶7.  Security:  Crime in Baku is comparable with that of 
major U.S. cities.  Visitors should exercise caution, 
avoid walking alone after dark, and be aware of their 
surroundings at all times.  Street crime includes 
pickpockets, jewelry snatching and armed robbery.  If 
confronted, no resistance should be given and valuables 
should be surrendered.  Medical facilities are limited in 
dealing with major trauma care.  Visitors should keep 
their passports or a copy with them at all times. 
VISITORS SHOULD ONLY USE TAXIS WITH BLUE LICENSE PLATES. 
Counterfeit U.S. dollars are often passed in Baku. 
Visitors should exchange money only at the major banks 
and hotels, or at the Embassy cashier. 
 
SHERWOOD 
 
¶8.  Security clearance level:  All visitors who require 
access to cleared areas and "no escort" ID badges must 
provide proof of their security clearance by front 
channel cable. 
 
¶9.  Embassy understands no further assistance is 
required. 
 
HARNISH