VZCZCXYZ0014
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHKB #0528/01 0951306
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 051306Z APR 06
FM AMEMBASSY BAKU
TO RUEHRC/USDA FAS WASHDC 0134
INFO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0063
RUEHYE/AMEMBASSY YEREVAN 1060
RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 1574
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 0543

UNCLAS BAKU 000528 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
USDA PASS TO FAS/ICD/DRD/KATYA CABALLERO 
ANKARA FOR AGRICULTURE COUNSELOR 
 
 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: AMGT ASEC EAGR OTRA AJ
SUBJECT: AZERBAIJAN: COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR LAWRENCE 
BARBIERI 
 
REF: USDA FAS 677092 
 
¶1.  Embassy Baku warmly welcomes and grants country 
clearance to USDA FAS Lawrence Barbieri to travel to Baku 
on/about 3-6 May 2006, to participate in the U.S.- 
Azerbaijan Joint Economic Task Force on 4 May 2006. 
Control officer will be Economic Officer Aaron Scheibe. 
Mr. Scheibe can be reached at the Embassy at: 
 
   Email: ScheibeAP@State.Gov 
   Mobile: (994) (50) 200-0661 
   International Line: (994) (12) 498-03-35, 36, OR 37, 
   Tie Line: 841-0000 OR 04122 
   International Fax:  (994) (12) 465-66-71 
   Tie Line Fax: 841-4289. 
 
¶2.  Accommodations:  Embassy will confirm reservations at 
the Park Hyatt Hotel.  Confirmation will be forwarded 
separately. 
 
¶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. 
 
¶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.  Meet and Assist:  Embassy will provide meet and 
assist at the airport for Task Force delegation arrival. 
Embassy will arrange airport transportation for 
traveler's departure. 
 
HARNISH