VZCZCXYZ0030
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHYN #1769/01 1651250
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 141250Z JUN 06
FM AMEMBASSY SANAA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4355

UNCLAS SANAA 001769 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: AMGT OTRA
SUBJECT: (SBU) COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR INTERAGENCY 
DELEGATION TO VISIT YEMEM FROM JUNE 16 TO 19, 2006. 
 
REF: STATE 95218 
 
¶1.  (SBU) Embassy Sanaa grants country clearance and welcomes 
the visit of S. Witten, C. Camponovo, S. Walker, A. Liotta 
and T. Monheim from 16 to 19 June.  Security Clearance 
information is on file. 
 
¶2.  (SBU) Control Officer for the visit will be Joey Hood who 
can be contacted at all times through the Embassy at (967) 
(1) 755-2236;  cell phone (967) 1-73322-8058  The number for 
emergencies only is (967) (1) 755-2170 (Post One). 
 
¶3.  (SBU) Reservations: Moevenpick Hotel. 967-1-546-666. 
Confirmation #s are:  Witten 15018; Camponovo 15019; Walker 
15020; Liotta 15021; and Monheim 15022.  Please forward 
details of Mr. Monheim's arrival to potterrh@state.gov. 
 
¶4.  (U) Fiscal Data:  Each visitor must bring/forward fiscal 
data to cover costs of the visit.  Each agency, organization, 
or visiting delegation will be charged for the actual costs 
attributed to their visit.  These costs include, but are not 
limited to: American and LES staff overtime, field travel by 
Embassy employees, vehicle rentals, long distance telephone 
calls, equipment rentals, office supplies, expediter 
services, representational events and all other costs that 
are directly attributable to the visit. 
 
¶5.  (U) Visas:  All travelers must obtain a Yemeni entry visa 
prior to their arrival.  This is a matter of the utmost 
importance, and is the responsibility of the traveler.  NO, 
repeat, NO airport visas will be issued.  Please note:  there 
should be NO Pakistani or Afghan visas in your passport.  If 
you must travel on a passport with these visas, please notify 
Post in advance so we can make arrangements to facilitate 
your transit through immigration; otherwise, you may be 
detained for a period at immigration. 
 
¶6.  (U) Customs:  To assist with customs, visitors should 
inform the Embassy by fax (967-1-303-182) of any special 
tools or equipment, including computers (serial and model 
numbers), palm pilots or communications equipment, which they 
plan to bring into Yemen.  The importation of these items 
must be coordinated with local military and customs 
authorities.  TRAVELERS IGNORING THIS REQUIREMENT RISK THE 
CONFISCATION OF SUCH ITEMS UPON ARRIVAL.  All baggage, 
including those belonging to diplomats, is subject to x-ray 
and hand search upon arrival in Yemen.  If the traveler must 
carry a radio or electronic equipment, it can be carried in 
as a non-pro courier hand-held (i.e., carried aboard the 
plane in an orange classified diplomatic pouch). 
 
¶7.  (U) Work Hours:  Embassy Sanaa's normal workweek is 
Saturday through Wednesday; office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 
4:30 p.m. 
 
¶8.  (U) Crime Situation in Yemen:  A security briefing by the 
Regional Security Officer (RSO) is mandatory upon arrival. 
The incidence of street crime is very low throughout Yemen, 
and violent crimes against foreigners are rare.  However, 
kidnappings by tribes continue to be a threat to foreigners 
visiting Yemen.  Because of recent terrorist threats against 
U.S. interests on the Arabian Peninsula and the increased 
tensions in the entire Gulf region, the Embassy advises all 
visitors to remain vigilant with regard to their personal 
security and to exercise caution.  Avoid large crowds and 
gatherings, maintain a low profile, and vary routes and times 
of all required travel.  Travelers should read the latest 
Consular Information Sheet, which describes current 
conditions. 
 
¶9.  (U) Money:  Travelers must bring sufficient funds or have 
sufficient funds in personal checking accounts to cover costs 
of entire TDY.  THERE ARE FEW ATMS IN COUNTRY, AND ACCEPTANCE 
OF CREDIT CARDS IS LIMITED ) BRING CASH/CHECKBOOK.  TDY cash 
advances should be taken prior to travel to Yemen ) Embassy 
does not issue cash advances for TDY personnel.  Embassy 
offers check-cashing service and will cash personal checks of 
official travelers.  Cashier will exchange dollars for Yemeni 
Riyals.  Many local merchants and businesses accept U.S. 
currency for purchases.  The current exchange rate is YR 196 
to USD 1. 
 
¶10.  (U) Weather:  The weather in Sanaa is generally warm 
during the day, and a sweater may be necessary at night. 
Weather in Aden and along the Red Sea coast is normally very 
hot and humid.  Business suits are preferred for meetings 
with Yemeni officials.  All clothing should be modest and 
conservative. 
 
¶11.  (U) Health Precautions:  Bring at least a 3-month supply 
of medications.  Practice food and water precautions as in 
other developing nations.  Begin immunization for hepatitis A 
 
and B, rabies, typhoid, tetanus, and polio prior to 
departure.  Yellow fever vaccination is required if entering 
from a country at risk.  If you spend more than a few days 
outside Sanaa, malaria prophylaxis may be required and you 
will be required to have G6PD blood testing.  Local hospital 
care may be required for emergencies.  Local medical 
providers expect immediate cash payment.  Be prepared to pay 
several hundred dollars and the rest prior to departure from 
Yemen.  While you will be provided documentation of medical 
care rendered to give to your insurance providers, it is your 
responsibility to recover funds from your agency or insurance 
plan.  The cost of evacuation can cost up to $100,000. 
Emergency Air Evacuations for other than MSGs, Seabees, DOS 
direct hires, and DOD staff require an obligated fund site 
PRIOR to the evacuation.  Travelers should contact their 
administrative offices before departure to obtain this 
information.  Out of country hospitalization for non-DOD and 
non-DOS direct hires require an obligated fund site to cover 
the hospitalization PRIOR to the hospitalization.  Travelers 
should contact their administrative offices before departure 
to obtain this information.  Each traveler should check in 
with the Medical Unit for a short medical briefing as soon as 
possible after arrival.  Individuals with sickle cell trait 
should carefully consider the altitude of this post before 
applying for assignment here.  Short-term (TDY) assignments 
carry an added risk because of the lack of time for 
acclimatization.  Dehydration and stress from exercise or 
illness compound the basic risks of high altitude.  For more 
information, contact your health unit or the medical 
clearances section of the Offices of Medical Services. 
 
¶12.  (U) Special Restrictions:  The Republic of Yemen 
prohibits the import of sexually oriented material, weapons, 
and alcohol; videocassettes are also likely to be 
confiscated.  Photography of military installations, 
individuals in uniform, government buildings and industrial 
facilities are strictly forbidden.  Photography of Yemenis, 
especially women, should be done only after receiving 
explicit permission.  We repeat -- All baggage, including 
those belonging to diplomats, is subject to x-ray and hand 
search upon arrival in Yemen. 
 
¶13.  (U) Travel Restrictions:  Travel outside Sanaa will only 
occur with COM/RSO approval. 
Krajeski