VZCZCXYZ0033
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBU #0767/01 1101304
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 201304Z APR 07
FM AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7911
INFO RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 5966
RUEHMN/AMEMBASSY MONTEVIDEO 6371
RUEHSG/AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO 0353
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 0636
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0148

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000767 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR IO 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PHUM SOCI UNICEF WHO OTRA PREL AR BR CI
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR AMBASSADOR GROVER JOSEPH 
REES, APRIL 25-28, 2007 
 
REF: SECSTATE 49565 
 
¶1. (SBU) POST WELCOMES AND GRANTS COUNTRY CLEARANCE TO AMBASSADOR 
GROVER JOSEPH REES, SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR SOCIAL ISSUES, WHO 
WILL TRAVEL TO ARGENTINA FROM APRIL 25-28, 2007.  THE PURPOSE OF THE 
VISIT IS TO PARTICIPATE IN PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ACTIVITIES AND TO ASSESS 
U.S. SUPPORTED MULTILATERAL INITIATIVES INCLUDING EFFORTS TO REDUCE 
MATERNAL AND CHILD MORTALITY, TO COMBAT SEXUAL VIOLENCE AND TO 
PROTECT ORPHANS AND OTHER VULNERABLE CHILDREN. 
 
¶2. (SBU) CONTROL OFFICER WILL BE POLITICAL OFFICER MICHELLE BALDWIN 
EMAIL: BALDWINMB@STATE.GOV. EMBASSY ADDRESS: AV. COLOMBIA 4300. 
EMBASSY PHONE 54-11-5777-4867; EMBASSY FAX 54-11-5777-4234. EMBASSY 
HOURS: 08:45 AM TO 05:45 PM. 
 
¶3. (SBU) POST HAS SECURED RESERVATIONS AT THE FOLLOWING HOTEL: 
 
EMPERADOR HOTEL 
AV. LIBERTADOR 420 
TEL: 54-11-4131-4007 
FAX: 54-11-4131-3904 
E-MAIL:  RESERVAS@HOTEL-EMPERADOR.COM.AR 
WWW.HOTEL-EMPERADOR.COM.AR 
 
ARRIVAL DATE: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 2007 (EARLY CHECK-IN) 
DEPARTURE DATE: SATURDAY, APRIL 28, 2007 (12PM CHECK OUT) 
1 SINGLE NON-SMOKING DELUXE ROOM 
HOTEL RATE: USD 135.00 + 21% TAXES= USD 164.00 
BREAKFAST IS INCLUDED 
CONFIRMATION: 263353 
 
CANCELLATIONS ARE PERMITTED AT NO CHARGE UP TO 1 DAY PRIOR TO 
ARRIVAL, AFTER THAT ONE NIGHT WILL BE CHARGED. 
 
IF VISITOR REQUIRES AN INTERPRETER PLEASE PROVIDE POST WITH FUND 
CITE. 
 
¶4. (SBU) TRANSPORTATION:  POST WILL PROVIDE AN EMBASSY DRIVER AND 
EXPEDITER TO MEET VISITOR AT THE AIRPORT UPON ARRIVAL. 
 
¶5. (SBU) ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT: A) IF ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT 
SERVICES ARE NECESSARY, REGARDLESS OF LENGTH OF STAY, THEN THE 
VISITOR MUST BE ABLE TO PRESENT TO THE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT OFFICE 
THEIR TRAVEL AUTHORIZATION (OR ANOTHER FUND CITE) IN ORDER TO PAY 
FOR DIRECT COSTS OF THE VISIT.  EACH AGENCY, ORGANIZATION, OR 
VISITING DELEGATION WILL BE CHARGED FOR THE ACTUAL COSTS ATTRIBUTED 
TO THEIR VISIT AND WILL BE ADVISED OF THIS ACTION.  DIRECT CHARGE 
COSTS INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO: AMERICAN AND LES STAFF 
OVERTIME, FIELD TRAVEL-LODGING AND M&IE BY EMBASSY EMPLOYEES, 
VEHICLE RENTALS, LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONE CALLS, EQUIPMENT RENTALS, 
OFFICE SUPPLIES, INTERPRETATION SERVICES AND ALL OTHER COSTS THAT 
ARE DIRECTLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE VISIT. 
 
B) ALSO, FOR TDYERS STAYING OVER THIRTY (30) DAYS, THERE WILL BE A 
CHARGE FOR ICASS SUPPORT SERVICES.  IF YOUR SPONSORING AGENCY IS NOT 
SIGNED UP FOR ICASS SERVICES AT POST, PLEASE BE PREPARED TO SIGN AN 
MOU FOR ICASS SUPPORT SERVICES UPON ARRIVAL.  THE AGENCY SHOULD 
PROVIDE POST WITH WRITTEN COMMUNICATION GENERATED BY THE TRAVELER'S 
HEADQUARTERS THAT CONFIRMS THE AGENCY WILL PAY ICASS CHARGES FOR THE 
TDYERS, PROVIDE THE AGENCY ICASS BILLING CODE THE TDY SUPPORT 
CHARGES SHOULD BE APPLIED TO, AND SHOULD AUTHORIZE THE TRAVELER TO 
SIGN THE ICASS INVOICE GENERATED BY THE TDY MODULE.  WHERE TRAVEL IS 
URGENT, THE TDYERS SHOULD BRING THIS DOCUMENTATION WITH THEM TO 
ENSURE THERE ARE NO INTERRUPTIONS IN THE PROVISION OF SERVICE.  POST 
WILL NOT PROVIDE ANY SERVICE TO A TDYER STAYING IN EXCESS OF THIRTY 
DAYS WITHOUT PROVISION OF THIS DOCUMENTATION BEFORE DAY 31 OF THE 
TDY. 
 
¶6. (SBU) VISAS: VISITORS ARE REMINDED THAT ARGENTINA REQUIRES VISAS 
IN US DIPLOMATIC AND OFFICIAL PASSPORTS FOR OFFICIAL TRAVEL. PERSONS 
TRAVELING ON OFFICIAL BUSINESS AND CARRYING DIPLOMATIC OR OFFICIAL 
PASSPORTS WHO ARRIVE WITHOUT A VALID VISA MAY BE DENIED ENTRY AND 
SENT BACK TO POINT OF ORIGIN. THE EMBASSY IS UNABLE TO SECURE ENTRY 
OF TRAVELERS WHO ARRIVE WITHOUT VISAS. 
 
¶7. (SBU) AIRPORT TAX:  OFFICIAL VISITORS, HOLDING DIPLOMATIC 
PASSPORTS, ARE EXEMPTED FROM PAYING THE AIRPORT TAX WHEN DEPARTING 
ARGENTINA. HOWEVER, HOLDERS OF OFFICIAL OR REGULAR PASSPORTS ARE 
REQUIRED TO PAY THE AIRPORT TAX. FOR INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS, THE TAX 
IS US$18 PER PASSENGER (VAT-EXEMPT) OR PESO EQUIVALENT, PAYABLE IN 
CASH, WITH TRAVELER'S CHECKS OR CREDIT CARDS. 
 
¶8. (SBU) THREAT ASSESSMENT: 
 
¶A.  POLITICAL VIOLENCE/TERRORISM: LIAISON WITH HOST GOVERNMENT 
 
POLICE AND SECURITY FORCES INDICATE THERE IS LITTLE THREAT TO U.S. 
CITIZENS (OFFICIAL VISITORS, BUSINESS VISITORS, TOURISTS) FROM 
INDIGENOUS TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS IN ARGENTINA.  THERE ARE NO 
VIOLENT DOMESTIC GROUPS CURRENTLY ACTIVE IN THIS COUNTRY THAT ARE 
SPECIFICALLY TARGETING U.S. INTERESTS.  HOWEVER, GIVEN THE PRESENCE 
OF MEMBERS OF AND SUPPORT FOR EXTREMIST INTERNATIONAL TERRORIST 
GROUPS SUCH AS HIZBOLLAH IN THE TRI-BORDER REGION OF ARGENTINA 
(MISIONES PROVINCE), VISITORS HERE CANNOT DISCOUNT THE POSSIBILITY 
OF TERRORIST ACTIVITY, TO INCLUDE RANDOM ACTS OF ANTI-AMERICAN 
VIOLENCE. 
 
¶B.  CRIME: PETTY STREET CRIME IN THE CITY OF BUENOS AIRES AND THE 
IMMEDIATE SUBURBS CONTINUES TO BE A PROBLEM FOR RESIDENTS AND 
VISITORS ALIKE. BURGLARIES IN THE MORE FASHIONABLE SUBURBS HAVE BEEN 
A PARTICULAR PROBLEM. VISITORS TO THE CITY OF BUENOS AIRES SHOULD BE 
AWARE OF PROBLEMS WITH HOTEL SECURITY (I.E. THEFTS FROM ROOM) AND 
PICKPOCKETS OR PURSE SNATCHING ON THE STREETS AND PUBLIC 
TRANSPORTATION (BUSES AND TRAINS). PICKPOCKETS OFTEN WORK IN PAIRS 
AND EMPLOY A VARIETY OF RUSES TO VICTIMIZE THE UNSUSPECTING VISITOR. 
 IN RECENT YEARS, MOST CRIME AFFECTING VISITORS HAS BEEN 
NON-VIOLENT; AGGRAVATED ROBBERIES, SHOOTINGS, ETC., WHILE NOT 
COMPLETELY UNHEARD OF IN BUENOS AIRES WERE NONETHELESS UNCOMMON. 
RECENTLY, HOWEVER, INCIDENTS OF ARMED INVASIONS OF RESTAURANTS, 
SHOPS AND RESIDENCES BY CRIMINAL GROUPS ARE BEING OBSERVED WITH 
GREATER FREQUENCY, AND AS A RESULT, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT DUE 
CAUTION BE EXERCISED WHEN TRAVELING ABOUT THE CITY.  HOWEVER, IN 
GENERAL, THE CRIME LEVEL IN BUENOS AIRES IS LESS SEVERE THAN LARGE 
U.S. CITIES. 
 
PICKPOCKETS OFTEN WORK IN PAIRS AND EMPLOY A VARIETY OF RUSES TO 
VICTIMIZE THE UNSUSPECTING VISITOR.  IN RECENT YEARS, MOST CRIME 
AFFECTING VISITORS HAS BEEN NON-VIOLENT; AGGRAVATED ROBBERIES, 
SHOOTINGS, ETC., WHILE NOT COMPLETELY UNHEARD OF IN BUENOS AIRES 
WERE NONETHELESS UNCOMMON.  RECENTLY, HOWEVER, INCIDENTS OF ARMED 
INVASIONS OF RESTAURANTS, SHOPS AND RESIDENCES BY CRIMINAL GROUPS 
ARE BEING OBSERVED WITH GREATER FREQUENCY, AND AS A RESULT, IT IS 
RECOMMENDED THAT DUE CAUTION BE EXERCISED WHEN TRAVELING ABOUT THE 
CITY.  HOWEVER, IN GENERAL, THE CRIME LEVEL IN BUENOS AIRES IS LESS 
SEVERE THAN LARGE U.S. CITIES. 
 
¶9. (SBU) EXCHANGE FACILITIES:  THE ARGENTINE PESO, WHICH IS 
CURRENTLY EXCHANGED AT A FLOATING RATE, IS THE OFFICIAL CURRENCY. 
TRAVELERS CHECKS MAY BE ACCEPTED BY HOTELS BUT ARE NOT WIDELY 
ACCEPTED BY OTHER BUSINESSES OR ESTABLISHMENTS. THERE IS A WIDE 
NETWORK OF ATMS THAT HONOR US ISSUED ATM/DEBIT/CREDIT CARDS ISSUING 
FUNDS IN PESOS. TRAVELERS ARE REMINDED TO EXERCISE THE SAME CAUTION 
WHEN USING AN ATM AS ONE WOULD IN THE UNITED STATES. 
 
¶10. (SBU) EMBASSY ACCESS:  STATE DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES SHOULD BRING 
THEIR STATE ID CARDS/BUILDING PASSES TO BUENOS AIRES TO FACILITATE 
ACCESS TO THE CHANCERY. 
 
¶11. (SBU) TELEPHONE CALLS: VISITORS SHOULD BRING FUND CITES OR 
CREDIT CARD TO COVER THE COST OF OFFICIAL INTERNATIONAL AND 
IN-COUNTRY LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONE CALLS.  INTERNATIONAL CALLING 
CARDS ARE RECOMMENDED. 
 
¶12. (SBU) LAPTOP COMPUTERS/DIGITAL CAMERAS: LAPTOPS/PALM PILOTS, 
CELLULAR PHONES AND OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES MAY NOT BE BROUGHT INTO 
THE EMBASSY WITHOUT THE PRIOR APPROVAL OF THE REGIONAL SECURITY 
OFFICE.  PERSONALLY OWNED LAPTOPS/PALM PILOTS MAY NOT/NOT BE USED IN 
THE EMBASSY.  USG-OWNED LAPTOPS MAY ONLY BE USED IN CONTROLLED 
ACCESS AREAS (CAA) IF THE USER CERTIFIES THAT THE COMPUTER HAS BEEN 
CONTINUOUSLY UNDER THE PERSONAL CONTROL OF A CLEARED AMERICAN 
THROUGHOUT TRANSIT.  IF THIS REQUIREMENT IS NOT MET, THE LAPTOP CAN 
ONLY BE USED OUTSIDE OF THE CAA.  USG-OWNED PALM PILOTS ARE UNDER 
THE SAME RESTRICTIONS AS CELLULAR PHONES AND OTHER ELECTRONIC 
DEVICES, AND MAY NOT BE UTILIZED WITHIN THE CAA.  AT THE EMBASSY, 
ALL USG ISSUED OR PERSONAL CELLULAR PHONES MUST BE LEFT OUTSIDE OF 
THE CAA.  USE OF CELLULAR PHONES OUTSIDE OF THE CAA IS NOT 
RESTRICTED.  IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT IF TRAVELER IS BRINGING A 
CELLULAR PHONE INTO THE COUNTRY, ARGENTINE LAW REQUIRES THE TRAVELER 
TO DECLARE THE PHONE, INCLUDING ITS VALUE, WHEN FILLING OUT THE 
CUSTOMS AND IMMIGRATION DECLARATION FORM. 
 
¶13. (SBU) MANDATORY PERSONAL SECURITY TRAINING: ALL PERSONNEL 
REQUESTING COUNTRY CLEARANCE TO PERFORM DUTY FOR 30 DAYS OR MORE AT 
AN OVERSEAS LOCATION MUST HAVE COMPLETED THE MANDATORY PERSONAL 
SECURITY TRAINING ("SERVING ABROAD FOR FAMILIES AND EMPLOYEES" 
(S.A.F.E.) COURSE) CONDUCTED AT THE FSI, PRIOR TO THEIR TRAVEL." 
 
¶14. (SBU) FOR FURTHER GENERAL INFORMATION REGARDING TRAVEL TO 
ARGENTINA, TRAVELERS SHOULD CONSULT THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE INTERNET 
SITE AT HTTP://TRAVEL.STATE.GOV/, WHICH INCLUDES THE LATEST CONSULAR 
INFORMATION SHEET FOR ARGENTINA. 
 
 
¶15. (SBU) THIS TELEGRAM HAS BEEN CLEARED BY THE DEPUTY CHIEF OF 
MISSION. 
 
¶16. (SBU) VISIT THE EMBASSY BUENOS AIRES CLASSIFIED WEBPAGE AT: 
HTTP://WWW.STATE.SGOV.GOV/P/WHA/BUENOSAIRES 
 
WAYNE