VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHUM #0222/01 1030328
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 130328Z APR 07
FM AMEMBASSY ULAANBAATAR
TO RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 5484
INFO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0987
RUEHBK/AMEMBASSY BANGKOK 1432

UNCLAS ULAANBAATAR 000222 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: OTRA PREF MG
SUBJECT:  Country Clearance for DHS Employee Joseph Martin 
 
 
¶1. We welcome and grant country clearance to JOSEPH MARTIN for 
travel to ULAANBAATAR, MONGOLIA. The purpose of the visit to 
Mongolia is for case processing during April 16 to April 23, 2007. 
 
¶2. POC: Your point of contact is Lisa Conner, Consular Section 
Chief. Contact numbers are as follows: 
 
--Office Telephone Number: (976-11) 329-095, x4755; 
--Cellular Number: (976) 9904-9072; 
--Fax Number is (976-11) 320-776; 353-788; 
--Home Number: (976-11) 324-626; 313-016 
--Email Address: ConnerLG@state.gov 
--Duty Officer Number: (976) 9911-4168. 
 
¶3. VOUCHERS: Post has limited staff and resources.  TDY travelers 
visiting post for less than 30 days should pay all travel bills and 
then voucher the expense when they return to their duty station. 
 
¶4. HOTEL:  A room has been reserved for you within per diem at the 
Ulaanbaatar Hotel, with a daily rate of US $102.00.  The rate 
includes VAT and breakfast.  The hotel's telephone number is 
(976-11) 320-620, and its fax number is (976-11) 324-485. Please 
provide the hotel administration with your credit card information 
upon arrival to allow them enough time to process the charges. 
 
¶5. ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE: A driver will meet and assist you at the 
airport.  If you are bringing atypical equipment or have special 
needs, please contact your POC or Embassy GSO Assistant Mr. Tamir at 
TamirE@state.gov.  As soon as you arrive in Ulaanbaatar, please have 
your POC or the Embassy Travel Assistant assist you to reconfirm 
your onward air tickets. Even with purchased tickets this is 
required to guarantee your seat. 
Official passport holders must pay an airport fee at the time of 
their departure if it is not already included in the ticket price. 
Travelers should check with the travel assistant if they have any 
questions. 
 
¶6. VISA:  A visa is not required for Mongolia. If you will travel 
via Beijing, you must have a valid Chinese visa for each time you 
land in China.  This means a double-entry visa if your itinerary is 
Beijing-Ulaanbaatar-Beijing.  The Chinese require a visa even to 
transit between two international flights.  If you don't have a 
valid (unused) visa, the airline will not let you board, and your 
travel will be delayed. 
 
¶7. DOMESTIC AIR TRAVEL RESTRICTION: The U.S. Embassy prohibits U.S. 
government personnel use of the domestic services of MIAT and all 
services of Hangard and Trans-Ulgii for official travel because of 
uncertainties regarding service and maintenance schedules, aircraft 
certification and insurance status. This prohibition does not extend 
to MIAT's international flights. 
 
¶8. EXPORT LIMITS:  Mongolia limits the export of art, antiques, and 
icons.  Reputable art and antique dealers can give you documents 
that will let you export what you buy.  Customs duties, however, may 
apply, and you must be ready to pay in cash (not credit card).  We 
can give you more information. 
 
¶9. SECURITY SITUATION:  Mongolia and Ulaanbaatar are generally safe 
places to visit.  Mongolians accept foreigners readily and are 
congenial hosts.  There is no known specific threat to Americans. 
However, the poor economic situation and obviousness of foreigners 
makes us easy targets for petty crime.  We strongly recommend that 
you carry only the money you expect to need and leave your passport, 
wallet, and other valuables in the hotel's safekeeping.  We 
recommend that you be especially cautious at night and in crowded 
public places, such as the "black market," within and in front of 
the State Department shopping store, and anywhere foreigners 
frequent.  Pickpocketing is an increasing problem. 
 
¶10. HEALTH CARE:  Health care for Embassy personnel and visitors is 
provided by the Embassy's Health Unit and the SOS International 
Clinic in Ulaanbaatar. 
 
The Embassy's Health Unit's telephone number is (976-11) 313-133. 
The hours of operation are Monday through Friday 08:30 am - 5:00pm. 
For appointments please contact  Health Unit by (976-11) 313-133, 
(976-11) 329-095-4556 or Suvdaa at 9909-2876. After hours please 
call Medical Unit Duty Phone at 9904-0261. 
 
The SOS International Clinic's telephone/fax number is (976-11) 
342-550.  The clinic is expensive and requires payment upon receipt 
of services.  It is important that your health insurance is up to 
date.  Filling an insurance claim is the responsibility of the 
visitor.  SOS International takes MasterCard, Visa, or cash as 
payment. 
 
¶11. GENERAL MEDICAL INFORMATION:  We suggest that you talk with your 
medical office about recommended inoculations.  Over-the-counter 
drugs such as cold, fever, and painkiller medications are not 
readily available. Plan to bring enough over-the-counter and 
prescription medicines to last your entire time in Mongolia.  You 
should take health precautions in Mongolia:  drink only bottled or 
boiled drinks, and eat only hot, freshly prepared food.  Also, we 
recommend that you wear sturdy shoes with good traction. 
 
¶12. WEATHER:  Ulaanbaatar has an extreme continental climate.  The 
weather is unpredictable.  It can be cold anytime September through 
May, and is extremely cold November through February.  Summertime 
temperatures can approach 100 degrees Fahrenheit but may dip into 
the 50's.  Spring is an uncertain time of year, with occasional high 
winds and snow.  We recommend you be prepared with layers of 
clothing and warm, sturdy footwear.  Several internet sites, 
including Yahoo! Weather, give forecasts for Ulaanbaatar. 
 
¶13. DOLLARS AND TUGRUGS:  Mongolia's financial infrastructure is 
still limited.  Traveler's checks are rarely accepted. Mongolia is a 
predominantly cash based economy. Cash advance can be taken at 
banks. Western-oriented businesses and hotels accept credit cards - 
Visa, MasterCard, and American Express.  Hotels provide official 
currency exchange. ATMs are infrequent and unreliable. The few 
existing units are VISA only. 
 
¶14. WEBSITE:  Please visit our Embassy website at 
http://ulaanbaatar.usembassy.gov . It provides interesting and 
useful information.  Mongolia is a beautiful and fascinating 
country; we hope you will have a chance to see a bit of it after 
work hours. 
 
¶15. We look forward to your arrival.  Regards. 
 
GOLDBECK