VZCZCXYZ0013
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHKT #2173/01 2221000
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 101000Z AUG 06
FM AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2718
INFO RUEHBK/AMEMBASSY BANGKOK PRIORITY 6107
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 0089

UNCLAS KATHMANDU 002173 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR SCA/INS, H (DICKENS) 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OREP AMGT ASEC AFIN NP
SUBJECT: WELCOME MESSAGE FOR STAFFDEL FORSYTH 
 
REF: SECSTATE 124455 
 
Welcome To Kathmandu 
-------------------- 
 
¶1. (SBU) Embassy Kathmandu warmly welcomes the August 23-26 
visit of Minority Deputy Chief Counsel of the House 
International Relations Committee (HIRC) Bart Forsyth, along 
with Democratic Deputy Staff Director Peter Yeo, Democratic 
Professional Staff Member David Killion, and Staff Associate 
Todd Washam to Kathmandu. 
 
¶2. (SBU) Overall control officer for this delegation will be 
Political/Economic Officer Rodney Hunter.  He can be reached 
24/7 via the Embassy switchboard at 977-1-441-1179, via 
mobile phone at 977-98510-91534, or via email at 
HunterRM@state.gov.  The control officer and expediter will 
meet the delegation upon arrival and provide transportation. 
 
¶3. (SBU) Post has made reservations at Dwarika's Hotel in 
Kathmandu for the night of August 23, with a room rate of 95 
USD/night for a single (within per diem), inclusive of 
breakfast and taxes.  The phone number at Dwarika's is 
977-1-447-0770 and the fax number is 977-1-447-8378. 
Reservations at Dwarika's may be canceled up to one day prior 
to occupancy without penalty.  Post has made reservations at 
the Trek-o-tel in Pokhara for the nights of August 24 and 25, 
with a room rate of 25 USD/night, inclusive of breakfast and 
taxes.  The phone number at the Trek-o-tel is 977-061-528-996 
and the fax number is 977-061-521-461.  Reservations at the 
Trek-o-tel may be canceled up to two days prior to occupancy 
without penalty. 
 
¶4. (U) Post will support the delegation's communications, 
transportation and administrative needs. 
 
¶5. (SBU) Post has already provided a draft schedule via email 
to the delegation and Legislative Affairs (H). 
 
Visas and Immigration 
--------------------- 
 
¶6. (U) A visa is necessary for all U.S. travelers to Nepal 
and should be obtained in advance if possible.  If traveler 
is unable to obtain a visa before departure, an airport visa 
may be obtained upon arrival.  A single entry visa valid for 
a 60-day stay may be obtained by diplomatic, official, and 
tourist passport holders at the airport for 30 USD payable in 
US currency.  To facilitate the issue of an airport visa, 
traveler will need one passport-size photograph and will be 
required to complete an application form upon arrival. 
 
¶7. (U) All departing travelers are required to pay an airport 
embarkation service fee of Nepali Rupees 1,356 (approx. 18 
USD) if traveling to India, Pakistan, Bhutan, Maldives, Sri 
Lanka, or Bangladesh, or Nepali Rupees 1,695 (approx. 23 USD) 
for all other international destinations. 
 
Health 
------ 
 
¶8. (U) Respiratory and intestinal problems are common in 
Nepal.  Visitors must exercise great care in what they eat 
and drink; food and water-borne diseases are common.  All tap 
water in Kathmandu and most other areas of Nepal is 
contaminated.  Travelers are advised to drink only water that 
has been filtered and boiled, and to exercise caution with 
bottled water (it can also be contaminated).  Bottled drinks 
(soft drinks and beer) are generally safe; ice is not. 
Travelers are advised to use only treated water when brushing 
their teeth and rinsing out their toothbrush, and to keep 
their mouths closed when showering.  Travelers should avoid 
eating/drinking from wet plates, utensils, and cups.  It is 
advised to eat freshly prepared food, i.e., well-cooked and 
served hot.  Cold food, especially those with dairy products, 
should be kept refrigerated and served cold.  Meats, poultry, 
fish, and eggs should be well-cooked and served hot.  Only 
fruits and vegetables that have been cooked or peeled should 
be eaten.  Street food should be avoided due to poor 
sanitation.  The following vaccinations are strongly 
recommended: Hepatitis A; Hepatitis B; Tetanus; Typhoid; 
Rabies; Japanese B Encephalitis.  Malaria prophylaxis is 
needed only if there will be travel to the Terai, the lowland 
areas bordering India.  Local medical facilities are 
sub-standard, except for a few outpatient clinics in 
Kathmandu. 
 
Security And Threat Assessment 
------------------------------ 
 
¶9. (SBU) The State Department has classified the crime threat 
in Kathmandu as high.  Pick pocketing, purse snatching and 
other forms of street crime occur frequently, especially in 
areas frequented by tourists.  Visitors should avoid walking 
alone after dark, carrying large sums of money, or wearing 
expensive jewelry.  Valuables should be stored in 
safety-deposit boxes and should not be left unattended in 
hotel rooms.  The Embassy's 24-hour emergency number 
(441-0531) should be kept handy, particularly when going out 
into the street. 
 
¶10. (SBU) Since February 1996, Nepal has suffered a Maoist 
insurgency.  While the Maoists have targeted primarily 
Nepalese Government and business facilities, there have been 
a number of attacked against organizations and companies 
associated with foreign interests.  Large demonstrations in 
Kathmandu and elsewhere in Nepal often occur without notice. 
Relatively high levels of security exist inside the Kathmandu 
Valley, political agitation by students and party activists 
notwithstanding.  There currently is a cease-fire between the 
government and the Maoists, but violence and clashes between 
Maoist and security forces are still possible.  All U.S. 
Government personnel and contractors wishing to travel 
outside the Kathmandu Valley for official or personal reasons 
must have permission from the RSO.  For certain districts, 
travel will be during daylight hours and for official 
business only.  It is required that travelers contact the RSO 
again for updated travel information the day before 
undertaking any travel outside the Kathmandu Valley.  All RSO 
clearances for the staffdel will be taken care of by the 
control officer prior to the visit. 
 
Weather 
------- 
 
¶11. (U) During the months of June through mid-September, the 
Kathmandu Valley is wet with monsoon rains; temperatures 
rarely exceed 90 degrees Fahrenheit.  Rain showers occur 
almost daily, but tend to fall in the afternoon hours.  The 
temperature during the day ranges from 26 to 30 Celsius 
(78-86 degrees Fahrenheit).  At night, the temperature cools 
down to about 18 to 21 Celsius (64 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit). 
 
¶12. (U) Post looks forward to hosting you in Kathmandu. 
MORIARTY