VZCZCXYZ0021
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHLI #2585 3191419
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 151419Z NOV 06
FM AMEMBASSY LISBON
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5349
RUEAORC/US CUSTOMS AND BORDER PRO WASHINGTON DC
INFO RUEHMD/AMEMBASSY MADRID 2395

UNCLAS LISBON 002585 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
MADRID PASS TO NORMAN DEL TORO, DHS/ICE ATTACHE 
 
STATE PASS TO KEVIN R. OPSTRUP, EUR/WE DESK OFFICER 
 
CBP PASS TO LISA A. CLARK, OFFICE OF FIELD OPERATIONS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EWWT OTRA PO
SUBJECT: PORTUGAL: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR CBP CLARK, 
COLE AND LOBELLO 
 
REF: RUEAORC4792 UNCLAS 
 
1.Embassy Lisbon warmly welcomes and grants country clearance 
for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Immigration and 
Customs Enforcement Lisa A. Clark, Supv. CBP; Robert Cole, 
Management and Program Analyst; Russ Lobello, Supv. CBP 
Officer traveling to Lisbon, Portugal from November 29 - 
December 1, 2006. The purpose of the trip is to conduct an 
evaluation of the container security initiative office 
located in Lisbon, Portugal. 
 
¶2. Point of contact in Lisbon is Political/Economic Officer 
Tiffany McGriff. 
 
CONTACT INFO 
------------ 
OFC :  351-21-770-2575 
FAX :  351-21-726-6547 
CELL:  351-91-959-4823 
E-MAIL:  McGriffTL@state.gov 
 
¶3. The U.S. Embassy in Lisbon is located at Avenida das 
Forcas Armadas, Apartado 43033, telephone: 351-21-727-3300. 
Emergencies and calls after normal business hours may be 
directed to Post One: 351-21-770-2222. 
 
¶4. TRAVEL TIPS:  Taxis are relatively inexpensive.  Be sure 
to ask for a receipt (factura).  A "taxi voucher" service is 
available at the Lisbon airport to arriving passengers. 
Vouchers are on sale at the Turismo de Lisboa counter located 
in the terminal.  The cost of the voucher depends on the 
distance of the trip and/or length of time, as well as the 
type of service required.  Fares should not be more than 
Euros 15.00 from the airport to major hotels in the city. 
 
¶5. It is possible to use most ATM cards in Multibanco teller 
machines located throughout Portugal.  Although Multibanco 
does not assess a service charge for this transaction, normal 
service charges assessed by your own bank will apply.  USD 
1.00 equals approximately Euro 0.78.  The ATM machine will 
automatically do the exchange. 
 
¶6. THREAT ASSESSMENT:  In light of the current worldwide 
security situation, all Americans are reminded that it is 
more important than ever to maintain a high level of 
vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their 
security awareness.  Be sure to vary your times and routes 
and avoid patterns in your activities.  There are no known 
specific and credible threats to include violent 
demonstrations, terrorist or criminal acts that would affect 
your visit.  Personnel under the Chief of Mission's authority 
will be notified of any security advisories issued during the 
visit.  While in Portugal, if you notice any suspicious 
activity or have any security concerns, the Embassy's 
Regional Security Officer (RSO) should be notified as soon as 
possible.  The RSO holds a weekly briefing every Thursday at 
9:00.  It is your responsibility to contact the Regional 
Security Office to sign-up. 
 
¶7. Portugal has a relatively low amount of street crime. 
Violent criminal confrontations and the use of weapons are 
rare.  Burglars and pickpockets are active and visitors are 
encouraged to safeguard valuables and not carry large amounts 
of cash or unneeded credit cards.  Visitors should also be 
very careful on crowded streets, in entertainment areas, 
department stores, restaurants or crowded public 
transportation.  Car crime, such as auto thefts and thefts 
from vehicles is low.  Travelers are warned not to leave 
valuables in hotel rooms.  Eastern European organized crime 
groups are active in Portugal, but mainly target the 
immigrant populations.  The police and other emergency 
services in Portugal are adequate.  Threat information 
through the Consular Information Program is available on the 
Internet at http://travel.state.gov.  In addition to 
information on the Internet, U.S. travelers may hear recorded 
information by calling the Department of State in Washington, 
DC at (202) 647-5225 from their touchtone telephone, or 
receive information by automated telefax by dialing (202) 
647-3300 from their fax machine. 
 
Hoffman