VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBUL #0201/01 0220628
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 220628Z JAN 07
FM AMEMBASSY KABUL
TO RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5594
INFO RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEHAM/AMEMBASSY AMMAN 0214
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 4635
RUEHJI/AMCONSUL JEDDAH 3344
RUCNSE/US SECRET SERVICE WASHINGTON DC

C O N F I D E N T I A L KABUL 000201 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NSC PASS TO ADNAN KIFAYAT AND MICHELE MALVESTI 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/22/2017 
TAGS: AMGT ECON POL INTEL AF
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED TO APHSCT TOWNSEND 
DELEGATION FOR AFGHANISTAN 
 
REF: WHITE HOUSE 092219Z 
 
Classified By: A/DCM SARA ROSENBERRY, for reasons 1.4 b, d. 
 
¶1. (C) U.S. Embassy welcomes the visit of Assistant to 
the President for Homeland Security and 
Counterterrorism (APHSCT) Frances Fragos Townsend and 
grants country clearance for her visit February 8-9, 
¶2007. Country Clearance is also granted to members of 
the APHSCT Townsend delegation: Michele Malvesti, 
Adnan Kifayat, John Howard Pearson III, and to APHSCT 
Townsend's three-person US Secret Service security 
detail. Control officer is Chris Hensman, email 
address hensmancd@state.gov; office telephone: 011-93- 
70-10-8151; cellphone: 011-93-70-039-779.  All 
travelers who possess U.S. Department of State badges 
should bring their ID for identification purposes and 
to obtain an Embassy ID. 
 
¶2. (U) VISAS:  A visa for Afghanistan MUST be obtained 
prior to arrival; visas on arrival are not available. 
You may need a visa for the cities you transit, as 
well. U.S. citizens do not require a United Arab 
Emirates (for Dubai) visa for stays of less than 30 
days. 
 
¶3. (U) There are many construction projects underway on 
the Embassy compounds.  During the period of your 
stay, dust and/or mud, noise and disruptions will be a 
constant feature. 
 
¶4. (U) IMPORTANT:  Appropriate Clothing 
 
WOMEN:  For meetings with Afghan officials, especially 
at the Palace, women are encouraged to wear long 
dresses (hemline line below the calf) or trousers, 
sleeves below the elbow and a modest neckline (no 
sleeveless or low necked tops).  Many women wear a 
shawl or scarf.  Some choose to wear a head covering 
in official meetings, especially outside of Kabul, but 
it is not required and normally not done in Kabul, 
including at ministries or at the Palace. 
 
MEN:  For meetings with Afghan officials, especially 
those in ministries or at the Palace, men are 
encouraged to wear business suit and necktie. 
 
Wearing tight or revealing clothing is unacceptable 
both for official meetings and any time you are in 
public.  For both men and women going off the Embassy 
compound it is appropriate to wear long pants or jeans 
and a shirt with a long tail and sleeves below the 
elbow.  Wearing shorts and low waist pants and jeans 
revealing the bellybutton is not appropriate when out 
in the host country community. 
 
¶5. (U) TRAVEL OPTIONS TO KABUL 
 
The recommended travel route to Kabul is through 
Dubai. This requires Embassy Kabul assistance to book 
flights from Dubai into Kabul.  The traveler's 
assigned Embassy control officer should submit a GSO 
Travel Services Request with USG travel orders/fiscal 
data and the requested flight dates and times 
attached.  Payment in cash is required for any 
traveler not on USG orders. 
 
The traveler is responsible for booking their hotel 
reservations in Dubai if transiting there. 
 
Flights are available daily into Kabul although they 
may be cancelled or delayed on short notice, 
especially during the winter months.  Please note that 
the Embassy is closed on Friday and cannot provide 
customs, immigration, or baggage expediting on that 
day. 
 
a.  Dubai:  United Nations Humanitarian Air Service 
(UNHAS) and KamAir flights may be booked  through the 
Embassy Kabul GSO Travel Office.  Ariana Afghan 
flights are not authorized for travelers on USG 
orders.  Passengers are allowed 30 kg (66 lbs.) of 
luggage with a $5.00 (UNHAS) or $3.00 (KamAir) per 
kilo overweight charge payable in local currency. 
UNHAS flies to Kabul on Sunday, Tuesday and 
Thursday, and KamAir operates daily.  UNHAS flight 
check-in is at 1000 in Terminal 2 for a 1200 
departure, and the KamAir flight check-in is at 0500 
in Terminal 2 for a 0700 departure. For UNHAS flights, 
the passenger will receive an electronic confirmation 
from the Embassy Travel Office a few days before they 
travel. For KamAir flights, tickets can be picked up 
at the check-in counter in Terminal 2.  Please be sure 
to identify yourself as a U.S. Embassy passenger to be 
assured they can give you your boarding pass. 
 
b.  Alternate routes to Kabul 
 
DELHI: Indian Airlines flies between Delhi and Kabul 
on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, departing Delhi at 
1110, and KamAir flies from Delhi on Monday and 
Thursday, departing Delhi at 0930. These flights may 
be booked through a commercial travel agent, but you 
must inform your Embassy control officer and the 
Embassy Travel Office, at KabulGSOTravel@state.gov, of 
your arrival date and time so you can be added to the 
expediting and vehicle roster. 
 
ISLAMABAD: Due to security concerns and logistics 
problems, Post does not recommend transit through 
Islamabad. Transit through Pakistan requires country 
clearance and a valid visa and all arrangements for 
air travel, transport and hotels in Islamabad must 
be coordinated in advance with the Kabul Support Unit 
(KSU) at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad. Please contact 
KSU at crockercb@state.gov if transit through 
Islamabad is required. 
 
BAKU: Azal Airlines flies from Baku to Kabul on 
Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday with a departure time of 
¶0800. This flight may be booked through a commercial 
travel agent, but you must inform your Embassy control 
officer and the Embassy Travel Office, at 
KabulGSOTravel@state.gov, of your arrival date and 
time so you can be added to the expediting and vehicle 
roster. 
 
¶6. (U) Communications:  IDD telephone is 00-93-2-290005 
and 290002. USAID/Afghanistan can be reached from the 
U.S. at (202) 216-6288. Post has unclassified and 
classified e-mail, record traffic, OPENNET Plus, and 
limited Internet capabilities. 
 
a.  E-Mail Access:  State Department employees only. 
Local computer accounts are not created in Kabul for 
TDYs of less than 90 days. TDY personnel in Kabul can 
access their home e-mail system through the use of 
Outlook Web Access (OWA).  Personnel should check with 
their local systems administrators prior to departure 
to ensure their network is part of the Department's 
Active Directory, and to get the name of their local 
domain.  This domain will be selected from the login 
screen from Kabul.  Active Directory was created and 
installed to allow users to log in and access their e- 
mail from anywhere in the world, thereby avoiding the 
excessive workload on IRM staffs that is caused by 
creating local accounts.  At any given time we are 
hosting numerous TDYs and it is not possible to 
create local accounts for short stays.  Systems 
administrators should instruct the users in the use of 
OWA prior to departing.  A word of caution:  Active 
Directory allows users to log in from anywhere. 
However, it will also download your desktop to Kabul. 
Any unnecessary items such as large documents, 
PowerPoints, photographs, etc., should be removed from 
your desktop.  Our network service can be slow, and 
the initial log in could take a long time if 
it is downloading unnecessary files. 
 
 
b.  Official travelers on temporary duty, including 
non-State personnel, must coordinate the transport of 
official portable computers (unclassified or 
classified) that will be used within USG facilities 
with the RSO and ISSO.  Please include make, model and 
serial number in correspondence to Post.  Department 
of State policy prohibits the connection of official, 
portable computers to OpenNet or ClassNet without the 
explicit approval of the Post ISSO.  12 FAM 
 
625.2.1 states that privately owned computers are not 
installed or used in any Department of State office 
building. 
 
¶7. (U) Lodging is scarce and will be allotted according 
to the following priority:  permanent staff staying a 
year or more, long-term TDY staff, short-term TDY 
staff and visitors.  Most TDYers will be housed in 
multi-bunk rooms in trailers.  Sheets, blankets, 
pillows and towels are provided.  Rooms may be cool at 
night. Self-service laundry facilities are available. 
An American-style cafeteria provides breakfast, lunch, 
and dinner, along with coffee, tea, and soft drinks 
within per diem rates.  You may wish to bring towels, 
layered clothing for warmth, a small flashlight, and 
over-the-counter medicines as needed, hand lotion, lip 
balm, shower, shoes, and snacks.  On the compound, 
American dress is the norm, but most women bring long 
sleeved garments, light jackets or shawls to cover 
their arms for trips off compound.  Two Embassy gyms 
are available to all compound residents. 
 
¶8. (U) Money:  Travelers should bring cash dollars. 
TDYers should bring enough cash for their stay or a 
debit card, as an ATM machine is available.  Credit 
cards and checks are not accepted in Kabul but 
U.S. dollars are widely accepted. 
 
¶9. (U) Fiscal Data: In accordance with Department of 
State policy, post will direct charge each agency, 
organization or visiting delegation for the actual 
costs attributed to its visit. These costs include, 
but are not limited to, American and locally engaged 
staff overtime; field travel by Embassy employees; 
transportation costs for official vehicles; phone 
usage; and the cost for representational events. 
All/all visitors requesting administrative support 
services must provide the Embassy with authorization 
and fiscal data (e.g., travel orders) against which 
the costs for requested items can be charged. 
This information should be cabled or emailed to the 
Embassy in advance of your arrival. Please note that 
without a fund cite and authorization, post may not be 
able to provide vehicles, drivers, or other services. 
 
¶10. (U) Ground Transportation:  Travelers will be met at 
the airport upon arrival by an Embassy expediter, 
driver, and security officer. The GSO Motor Pool has 
limited capabilities and will give priority to 
official travel, with personal travel available only 
if vehicles and drivers are available.  USG employees 
are not authorized to use public transportation. 
 
¶11. (U) Medical:  Kabul is a Class 1 Medical Clearance 
Post.  If you have any significant medical problems, 
you should avoid travel to Afghanistan.  In accordance 
with 3 FAM 1931.3 "Failure to obtain post-specific 
approval before traveling abroad may result in the 
individual being denied participation in the medical 
program and access to health units abroad."  Excursion 
Civil Service, WAE and TDY personnel who will be at 
Post more than 60 days are required to contact MED 
Clearances at 202-663-1668 or email 
medclearances@state.gov to arrange or verify MED 
approval to come to Post well in advance of their 
departure date. 
 
a.  Contractors or other long-term TDY employees who 
are not direct hire USG employees are not covered 
under the Department of State Medical Program, do not 
have Post Health Unit privileges, are not covered by 
M/DGHR/MED for medevac and should be covered by 
medevac insurance through their contracting company. 
 
b.  The Embassy Health Unit is staffed by a Foreign 
Service Health Practitioner and a Locally Employed 
Physician.  An International Security Assistance Force 
(ISAF) hospital offers limited treatment capabilities. 
 
c.  Kabul is in a malaria zone from March to November. 
During this time it is important to begin anti- 
malarial medication before arriving at Post.  Either 
Mefloquine 250 mg weekly or Doxycycline 100mg daily 
are approved for malarial prophylaxis.  These 
 
medications must also be taken for 4 weeks after 
departing Post. 
 
d.  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. 
 
e.  Visitors should bring cold and intestinal 
medicines, saline nasal spray, lip balm, sunscreen, 
dry skin care, insect repellent with DEET, and 
tissues.  If you wear contacts, bring an ample supply 
of cleaning solution and two pairs of your 
prescription glasses. The dry, dusty climate can make 
wearing contacts uncomfortable.  If you are taking 
prescription medication (i.e. for hypertension or 
other) bring sufficient amounts for more than the 
expected length of your stay as pharmaceuticals are 
limited. 
 
¶12. (U) Security Guidelines: 
 
a.  The security environment in Kabul and throughout 
Afghanistan is dangerous.  There is continued 
potential for attacks against U.S. citizens and 
interests in Afghanistan.  Terrorists do not 
distinguish between official and civilian targets. 
Terrorist actions may include, but are not limited to, 
rocket attacks, suicide operations, assassinations, 
kidnappings, hijackings, shootings or bombings. 
Potential exists in Kabul and the rest of the country 
for demonstrations, riots, bombings, and other violent 
actions against U.S. citizens and interests. 
 
b.  Visitors are advised to maintain a level of 
vigilance and to heighten their security awareness 
while at post.  American citizens have been victimized 
by vehicle-borne explosives and roadside bombs within 
the last year.  Occasional rocket attacks in the 
vicinity of the Embassy compound are unpredictable and 
random.  There have been incidents of carjackings and 
robberies directed against NGOs, journalists and 
diplomats carried out by aggressive and armed persons. 
The proliferation of weapons on the street is 
extensive.  Host country and ISAF forces have had some 
success in making arrests and seizing weapons. However 
travel outside of Kabul remains extremely dangerous in 
many places, and travel within Kabul after dark should 
also be avoided.  Due to restrictions on travel and 
limitations on available resources, TDY travelers 
should be prepared to expect delays and possible 
cancellations of events in Kabul and of proposed out- 
of-Kabul travel. 
 
c.  All personnel are required to attend a RSO 
Security Briefing after arrival.  Verification of 
security clearance level is required prior to the 
issuance of an identification card.  Persons who will 
require unescorted access in the controlled access 
areas (CAA) are responsible for ensuring that security 
clearances are transmitted to post prior to their 
arrival. 
 
d.  The U.S. Embassy maintains a 2400 curfew. However, 
changes in threat conditions may result in an earlier 
curfew on a temporary basis.  The RSO must clear any 
travel outside of the city, as well as any proposed 
travel after dark.  Travel during daylight hours is 
permitted, but must be performed in an armored 
vehicle.  Anyone traveling off the compound must sign 
out on departure and back in upon returning to the 
compound.  Personnel are advised to carry a radio or 
cell phone to maintain contact in the event of an 
emergency. 
 
e.  Though the compound has been checked for mines and 
unexploded ordinance (UXO), there remains the remote 
possibility that a UXO or mine could remain.  While in 
Afghanistan, do not touch anything suspicious, avoid 
picking up souvenirs, and immediately report any 
suspicious device to RSO personnel.  Outside the 
compound, red rocks are uncleared mine areas, while 
white rocks are considered mine free areas.  Be 
advised, however, there remains a 10% chance that 
unexploded mines remain in the mine cleared areas. 
For this reason, during all travel in Kabul or out of 
the city, travelers should remain on hard surface 
roads at all times. 
NEUMANN