VZCZCXYZ0027
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHWN #0896 1451921
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 251921Z MAY 06
FM AMEMBASSY BRIDGETOWN
TO RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC PRIORITY
INFO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2555

UNCLAS BRIDGETOWN 000896 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT OF COMMERCE PASS TO ANN KEBECKBY 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: TPHY EFIS OTRA AMGT KSCA SC XL
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED TO NOAA EMPLOYEES FOR 
TRAVEL TO ST. KITTS AND NEVIS 
 
REF: DEPT OF COMMERCE 2177 
 
¶1. Embassy Bridgetown welcomes and grants clearance to 
Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service 
(NMFS) employees Jeffrey Breiwick, Robert Rownell, Phillip 
Clapham, Megan Dohahue, Douglas Demaster, Peggy Krahn, Rick 
Leduc, David Mattila, Sue Moore, Debra Palka, William Perrin, 
Teresa Rowles, Brandon Southall, Barbara Taylor, Paul Wade, 
and Robin Waples for travel to St. Kitts and Nevis May 
22-June 7, 2006.  The travelers are attending the the 
International Whaling Commission scientific meetings. 
 
¶2. Per reftel, Embassy understands assistance is not 
requested.  Travelers are staying at the St. Kitts Marriott, 
telephone, 869/466-1200. 
 
¶3. Post would like to remind the originating office that 
country clearance requests are to be sent five to ten 
business days before travel to be sure of appropriate 
handling. 
 
¶4. Embassy Bridgetown requests an outbrief be provided to the 
Political/Economic Section relating to activities while in 
the region within 10 working days of completion of travel. 
Please provide the outbrief by telephone, 246/436-4950 X2228, 
or by fax at 246/431-0384. 
 
¶5. Entry requirements:  Mission policy is that all USG 
travelers to the region be in possession of a valid passport. 
 There is a departure tax of 45 xcd (Eastern Caribbean) 
dollars or 16.50 U.S. dollars. 
 
¶6. The exchange rate in St. Kitts and Nevis is 2.70 xcd 
(Eastern Caribbean) dollars for one U.S. dollar.  U.S. 
currency, travelers' checks, and credit cards are routinely 
and widely accepted. 
 
¶7. The following is general information pertaining to 
security and health considerations throughout the Eastern 
Caribbean: 
 
Security 
-------- 
 
In the Eastern Caribbean, foot travel outside of 
well-established tourist areas is not generally recommended, 
especially at night.  Be vigilant when using public 
telephones or ATM machines near roadsides or quiet areas.  As 
in many U.S. metropolitan areas, wearing expensive jewelry, 
carrying expensive objects, or carrying large amounts of cash 
should be avoided.  Visitors should also safeguard valuables 
while at the beach.  While hotels are generally safe, many 
visitors have experienced loss of unattended items.  Hotel 
burglaries are not uncommon and all valuables should be 
locked in room safes if possible. 
 
 
Health 
------ 
 
Throughout the Eastern Caribbean, the most likely threat to a 
visitor's health is sunburn.  It takes several weeks to 
become accustomed to the heat and humidity.  Prolonged 
exposure to the sun, without protection, causes sunburn and 
may ultimately result in sun-damaged skin or even skin 
cancer.  Sunscreens should be used for protection.  In 
Barbados, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines the 
major health threat is dengue fever, transmitted by mosquito. 
 Dengue cases are most often seen in the summer months. 
Persons should therefore protect themselves with insect 
repellent.  There is a growing number of HIV/AIDS cases 
reported.  The Eastern Caribbean enjoys clean and safe 
drinking water.  Only routine boosters for immunizations 
(i.e., tetanus, diphtheria, and oral polio vaccine) are 
required when traveling to this region.  Barbados has the 
best medical facilities of all the islands in the region and 
most of the medical specialties have practitioners here. 
KRAMER