VZCZCXYZ0011
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHKA #4410/01 1990954
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 180954Z JUL 06
FM AMEMBASSY DHAKA
TO RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHDC
INFO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9849

UNCLAS DHAKA 004410 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
HHS FOR CDC ATLANTA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: BG KSCA OTRA
SUBJECT: DHAKA GRANTS COUNTRY CLEARANCE TO GAVIN GRANT 
 
REF: ATLANTA 2165 
 
 ¶1.  Embassy Dhaka welcomes and grants country clearance for 
Gavin Grant, Epidemiologist, NCID, HHS/CDC for July 23 to 
August 1 visit.  Control officer is Dr. Steve Luby, Head, 
Programme of Infectious Diseases and Vaccine Sciences, ICDDR, 
B; TEL: (mobile) 88-01711-593-416, (home) 
880-2-885-5583. 
 
¶2.   Per reftel, traveler has made arrangements at the 
Hotel Lake Castle.  The Mission,s workweek is 
Sunday-Thursday from 0800 to 1630 hours. There will be an 
American holiday during the visit period-Memorial Day, May 
¶28. 
 
¶3.   Medical unit services will be available, per reftel 
request.  No other embassy services have been requested. 
 
¶4.   Please note the following: 
 
A)   IMPORTANT.  Personnel entering Bangladesh are required 
to possess a valid passport, with a minimum validity of six 
months.  A valid visa is also required prior to arrival. 
 
B)   Departure:  All personnel (including holders of 
diplomatic and official passports) are urged to use the 
services of the U.S. Mission,s travel agent for 
reconfirming onward travel and to verify if the departure 
tax of 300 taka 300 (approximately USD 5) and the travel 
tax (approximately 2500 taka) have been included in the 
cost of the ticket.  If not included, travelers must pay in 
taka at the airport. 
 
C)   Currency:  The local use of U.S. dollars is prohibited 
by law, except for the payment of a hotel bill. 
Accommodation exchange for incidental local expenses is 
available at the Chancery.  Reverse accommodation exchange 
is available only at the original place of exchange with 
original documents and receipts as proof.  Automatic Teller 
Machines (ATMs) are very limited, not readily accessible, 
and dispense taka only.  Traveler checks cannot be used in 
most establishments except international hotels.  Most 
major credit cards are accepted at international hotels. 
 
D)   American Recreation Association (Embassy club) 
facilities are available to U.S. citizen official visitors 
for a temporary membership fee of USD 10.00 per week.  In 
addition to the membership fee, you will be required to 
purchase a cash card.  A copy of your passport data page or 
a passport-sized photograph is necessary to obtain a cash 
card.  This card will enable you to have meals and use club 
facilities (which include tennis court, squash court, 
swimming pool, exercise room, and restaurant/bar.) 
 
E)  The U.S. Commissary facility is available to U.S. 
citizen official visitors who are USG employees.  However, 
payment is permitted only by USD personal check or traveler 
checks. 
 
F)  Health: All travelers must have health insurance to 
cover medical evacuations by air ambulance, and should 
carry with them the 24/7 contact information for their 
insurer.  Medical care in Bangladesh is very basic. 
 
Intestinal problems are common in Dhaka.  Visitors must 
exercise care in what they eat and drink.  Presume that all 
tap water is contaminated, even in hotels.  Travelers are 
advised to drink bottled/boiled water and eat only fruits 
and vegetables that have been cooked and peeled. 
Undercooked meat should be avoided.  Travelers should also 
avoid eating uncooked dairy products and food sold on the 
streets.  Visitors who take medication on a regular basis 
should bring enough for the duration of their visit. 
 
The U.S. Mission has a Medical Unit staffed by a U.S. 
physician and registered nurses.  Visitors should bring a 
supply of mosquito repellent to Dhaka.  There have been 
cases of mosquito-borne illnesses, including dengue fever, 
which is transmitted by a day-biting mosquito.  Supplies 
are usually available in the commissary; however, you 
should bring your own supply in case you arrive in Dhaka 
when the commissary is closed (on Sunday).  We also 
recommend that travelers have updated immunizations, 
especially for typhoid. 
 
G)  Security: Bangladesh continues to experience some 
anti-American sentiment as the result of U.S. military and 
other actions in the war against terrorism and events in 
the Middle East.  Demonstrations have the potential to take 
place any time and to be unruly.  In addition, longstanding 
rivalry between the two leading political parties prompt 
periodic general strikes (hartals), public demonstrations, 
and marches.  Normal vehicular traffic is discouraged 
during the hartals.  Visitors should strictly avoid all 
political protests, demonstrations and marches. 
 
With the prior approval of the RSO, visitors may carry an 
unclassified laptop into the Controlled Access Area 
 
SIPDIS 
provided the laptop is transported under the immediate 
personal control of the visitor or via diplomatic pouch. 
 
The Embassy advises Americans to be aware of their 
surroundings at all times, to avoid predictable behavior, 
and not to accept packages from unknown individuals. 
Sensitive or personal matters should not be discussed over 
local telephone lines. 
 
The State Department classifies the crime threat in Dhaka 
as high.  While foreigners are not generally the targets of 
violent crimes, pick-pocketing, purse-snatching, and other 
forms of street crime occur frequently, especially in areas 
frequented by foreigners.  Visitors should avoid walking 
alone after dark, carrying large sums of money, or wearing 
expensive jewelry.  Valuables should be stored in the hotel 
safety deposit box and should not be left unattended in 
hotel rooms.  Visitors should use the Embassy Motor pool as 
the Chief of Mission has declared public transportation to 
be unsafe.  In addition, you should keep the Embassy,s 
24-hour emergency telephone number available at all times 
(885-5500); receptionists are on duty 24 hours a day. 
 
¶5.  We look forward to your visit. 
BUTENIS