VZCZCXRO9298
PP RUEHDE
DE RUEHKB #1443/01 2770847
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 040847Z OCT 06
FM AMEMBASSY BAKU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1375
INFO RUEHAD/AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI PRIORITY 0054
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 0321
RUEHMK/AMEMBASSY MANAMA PRIORITY 0005
RUEHYN/AMEMBASSY SANAA PRIORITY 0003
RUEHDE/AMCONSUL DUBAI PRIORITY 0046

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BAKU 001443 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR NEA/IR AARON SNIPE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OTRA AE BA UK YM IR AJ
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR NEA PDAS JAMES JEFFREY AND 
NEA/IR DESK OFFICER AARON SNIPE 
 
REF: STATE 165245 
 
¶1.  Embassy Baku warmly welcomes and grants country clearance 
to NEA Principle Deputy Assistant Secretary James Jeffrey and 
NEA/IR Desk Officer Aaron Snipe to travel to Baku 12-13 
October 2006, to participate in Iran-related meetings with 
embassy and government officials.  Control officer will be 
Political Officer David Haugen.  Mr. Haugen can be reached at 
the Embassy at: 
 
 Email: HaugenDP@State.Gov 
 Mobile: (994) (50) 224-8425 
 International Line: (994) (12) 498-03-35, 36, OR 37 
 Tie Line: 841-0000 OR 0 4209 
 International Fax:  (994) (12) 465-66-71 
 Tie Line Fax: 841-4289. 
 
¶2.  Accommodations:  PDAS Jeffrey and Desk Officer Snipe will 
reside at the Chief of Mission Residence. 
 
¶3.  Visas:  All travelers are advised to obtain visas for 
all/all stops on their itinerary prior to their departure. 
We recommend that travelers obtain Azerbaijan visas from the 
Embassy of Azerbaijan at the point of origin, and that they 
allow 10 days for processing of the visa request.  If visas 
cannot be obtained at the traveler's point of origin, an 
airport visa can be issued upon arrival.  Please proof read 
your visa carefully.  An occasional Embassy guest has 
received a visa with an error in it.  If traveling on a 
Diplomatic Passport there is no fee.  If traveling on tourist 
or official passports, there is a dollars 40 fee for a single 
entry visa.  Default validity is 7 days, but 30 day validity 
is available on request.  Passport assistance is available at 
the passport counter in room 1258 of the State Department. 
The Embassy of Azerbaijan requires a minimum of two working 
days to process visa requests.  Should the projected 
itinerary include transit through Turkey, visitors must 
obtain Turkish visas in advance.  Bearers of Diplomatic or 
Official Passports are not permitted to purchase airport 
visas in Turkey and will be denied exit from the Istanbul 
airport.  If transit through Russia is necessary, travelers 
must obtain transit visas in advance. 
 
¶4.  Travel advisory:  None. 
 
¶5.  Web site:  Useful information for all travelers is 
available on the internet at http://baku.usembassy.gov. 
Follow links for consular services: traveling to Azerbaijan. 
 
¶6.  General reminders: 
 
--bring sufficient cash to pay for all expenses except 
lodging.  Credit cards are still accepted only by businesses 
that cater to foreigners, such as hotels, travel agencies, 
international airlines and a few restaurants. 
 
--the Embassy has a CIRRUS/Plus network ATM machine, which 
accepts most U.S. bank cards.  It dispenses both the local 
currency (Azerbaijani manat) and U.S. dollars. 
 
--bring supplies of all hard-to-find foods, toiletries and 
medicines.  Western commodities are sold in Baku but are 
expensive and not always available. 
 
--drink only bottled water;  tap water is not potable. 
 
¶7.  Security:  Crime in Baku is comparable with that of major 
U.S. cities.  Visitors should exercise caution, avoid walking 
alone after dark, and be aware of their surroundings at all 
times.  Street crime includes pickpockets, jewelry snatching 
and armed robbery.  If confronted, no resistance should be 
given and valuables should be surrendered.  Medical 
facilities are limited in dealing with major trauma care. 
Visitors should keep their passports or a copy with them at 
all times.  Counterfeit U.S. dollars are often passed in 
Baku.  Visitors should exchange money only at the major banks 
and hotels, or at the Embassy cashier. 
 
¶8.  Security clearance level:  All visitors who require 
access to cleared areas and "no escort" ID badges must 
provide proof of their security clearance by front channel 
cable. 
 
¶9. Meet and Assist:  Embassy Baku will meet PDAS Jeffrey and 
Desk Officer Snipe at the airport per reftel, provide 
transportation during the visit, and provide transportation 
 
BAKU 00001443  002 OF 002 
 
 
to the airport for his departure 
DERSE