VZCZCXYZ0025
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHMD #0933 1071532
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 171532Z APR 06
FM AMEMBASSY MADRID
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 9443

UNCLAS MADRID 000933 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OTRA AMGT OREP AFIN OSCE SP
SUBJECT: SPAIN COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR CODEL HASTINGS 
 
REF: STATE 58946 
 
¶1.  Embassy warmly welcomes and grants country clearance to 
Rep. Alcee Hastings, President, Organization for Security and 
Cooperation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA) and 
Ms. Vanessa Griddine, Administrative Assistant from April 18 
to 20, 2006.   The purpose of the visit is to attend meetings 
in conjunction with Rep. Hastings' capacity as President of 
the OSCE PA. 
 
¶2.  Hotel reservations have been made at the Westin Palace. 
Timothy Dougherty is the control officer and he will meet and 
greet Rep. Hastings at the airport.  Mr. Dougherty's contact 
information is: (34)91-587-2294 office; (34)628-718-747 
mobile; and e-mail is DoughertyTP@state.gov. 
 
¶3.  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 to Spain. 
 
¶4.  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 andfrequent 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 (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. 
AGUIRRE