VZCZCXYZ0025
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHKI #0120/01 0311405
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 311405Z JAN 07
FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
TO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0477
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5519
INFO RUEHKM/AMEMBASSY KAMPALA PRIORITY 4596

UNCLAS KINSHASA 000120 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: AORC ACABQ CG
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR DRC - SUSAN MCLURG 
 
REF: USUN 68 
 
¶1. Post grants country clearance and welcomes the visit to 
the Democratic Republic of Congo of Minister Counselor Susan 
McLurg, United States Mission to the United Nations, February 
10 - 17, 2007 to participate in the UN Advisory Committee on 
Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ). 
 
¶2. POINT OF CONTACT 
 
Post understands from reftel that no assistance is requested 
and that the UN has made all arrangements for transport and 
accomodations.  Should additional assistance be required, 
Embassy Point of Contact will be Political Officer Tracy 
Naber, who can be reached at: 
 
Tracy Naber 
  Office Phone:  011-243-81-225-5872 
  Cell phone:  011-243-81-884-1354 
  IVG:  8-934-2620 
 
¶3. VISA REQUIREMENTS 
 
A valid Congolese visa is required of all American passport 
holders, whether diplomatic, official or tourist.  Congolese 
visas cannot be issued at the airport. 
 
¶4. FISCAL DATA REQUIREMENTS 
 
No fiscal data need be provided.  We understand from reftel 
that the United Nations will cover all costs of the visit. 
 
¶5. ALL VISITS MUST COMMENCE IN KINSHASA 
 
At the Ambassador's request, all visits to the Democratic 
Republic of Congo, which require country clearance, are to 
commence in Kinshasa, the country's capital.  Travel to other 
regions of the country including the Kivus, Orientale and 
Maniema provinces, is to be undertaken from Kinshasa. 
 
As requested, Post will not be making travel arrangements for 
Ms. McLurg. 
 
¶6. AIRPORT ADVICE FOR ARRIVING PASSENGERS 
 
Procedures at Ndjili Airport are changing as airport 
officials try to strengthen security procedures.  At this 
time, expeditors are no longer allowed in the Arrivals Hall 
and can provide assistance only after travelers pass through 
Immigration control. 
 
After deplaning and entering the Arrivals Hall, travelers 
should proceed to the "Official VIP/Diplomat" line, with 
passports and health certificates ready for presentation to 
the Immigration officials. 
 
While at the airport, travelers are warned to not, repeat 
not, pay money or give their documents to anyone other than 
the expeditor.  This also applies to individuals in uniform, 
who may offer their services.  Be polite but do not accept 
their assistance. 
 
As requested, Post will not be providing expeditor assistance 
at the airport. 
 
¶7. ACCOMODATIONS 
 
As requested, Post will not be reserving accomodations for 
the traveler. 
 
¶8. SECURITY 
 
Kinshasa is a critical threat crime post.  Although there is 
no specific threat targeting Americans, all visitors should 
remain vigilant and cautious during their stay in Kinshasa. 
The RSO advises that you exercise caution in the areas around 
hotels, and that you not travel after nightfall unless 
accompanied by someone familiar with the security situation 
in Kinshasa.  TDY personnel should not use any form of local 
transportation and should refrain from displaying/using 
cameras in public. 
 
A recent scam involves individuals in civilian clothes 
claiming to be Congolese police/security officials who 
approach unsuspecting expatriates on the street and demand to 
see their passport or other identification documents.  They 
try and convince the would-be victim to get in their unmarked 
vehicle and accompany them to the local police precinct.  If 
you are on the street and approached by someone claiming to 
be a police or security official, identify yourself as a 
diplomat working at the U.S. Embassy, walk briskly away, and 
make sure to report the incident to the RSO or Post One as 
soon as you 
have access to a phone.  Do not approach or get in their 
vehicle. 
 
¶9. CURRENCY 
 
The use of dollars in the DRC is legal and acceptable for 
most transactions.  Travelers arriving in the DRC with more 
than USD 10,000 must fill out a currency declaration. 
Travelers departing the DRC are not allowed to take out more 
than USD 10,000 in cash. 
 
Please note that ATMs are not available in Congo.  However, 
USG personnel are authorized USD and Franc Congolais 
accommodation exchange at the Embassy and/or USAID cashier; 
personal or travelers' checks are acceptable.  Most personnel 
use Franc Congolais only for 
small purchases and tips. 
 
American Express, Visa, Master Card, and Diner's Club are 
accepted in payment of bills at Kinshasa's two major hotels. 
However, very few other businesses in the Congo accept credit 
cards and their use outside of the major hotels is 
discouraged.  Cashing travelers checks outside the Embassy is 
generally not advised because banks charge substantial fees 
for cashing them; travelers checks are rarely accepted at all 
outside of Kinshasa. 
 
¶10. MEDICAL 
 
Access to the Embassy Health Unit is available for US 
citizen, direct-hire USG employees and their eligible family 
members.  If you have been or will be posted more than 60 
days overseas in a calendar year (not necessarily 
consecutive), you must provide proof of a 
Department of State medical clearance from M/MED to qualify 
for access to the our Health Unit.  Official visitors who are 
overseas less than 60 days in a calendar year are not 
required to have medical clearance and are authorized 
emergency, but not routine, use of the Health Unit. 
 
Other official visitors may receive Health Unit services if 
they meet the following criteria: 1) an individual employment 
relationship with the USG, 2) a MED Washington clearance, and 
3) a USG agency that guarantees payment for medical expenses 
and/or personal overseas health and medevac insurance. 
Visitors without Health Unit access will be   referred to a 
local medical clinic, which provides all emergency and 
non-routine medical care for Embassy employees and family 
members. 
 
MALARIA: Congo is a malaria-affected area.  All travelers 
should consult with medical personnel and take malaria 
prophylactics as appropriate, before arriving in Kinshasa. 
 
YELLOW FEVER: You must have a valid yellow fever vaccination 
and your yellow vaccination card when you arrive.  You may be 
charged a fine of $50-$100 without proof of vaccination. 
 
¶11. You may visit the Embassy's Intranet website at 
http://kinshasa.state.gov.  While still under construction, 
information is being added daily that you may find useful. 
 
¶12. Have a good trip. 
MEECE