VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHLG #0662/01 2390819
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 270819Z AUG 07
FM AMEMBASSY LILONGWE
TO RHMFIUU/NDU WASHINGTON DC
INFO RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE//ECJ5-A//
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE//ECPOLAD//
RUEKJCS/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4576
RHMFISS/CDR USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE//ECCC//
RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC
RUEHOR/USODC GABORONE BC
RUEHSB/USDAO HARARE ZI

UNCLAS LILONGWE 000662 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: MASS MARR PREL OTRA MI
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED - ACSS Seminar Blantyre 
 
REF: NDUACSSWAS 8233723 
 
¶1. American Embassy Lilongwe grants country clearance and welcomes 
the visit of the following ACSS staff from September 8-26, 2007 to 
Malawi to coordinate support for the Africa Center for Strategic 
Studies Seminar on Managing 
Security Resources in Africa in Blantyre, Malawi: 
 
- AMB (RET.) PETER CHAVEAS 
- MR. CLIFFORD HOWARD BERNATH 
- COL. ANTONIO PINHEIRO 
- DR. MONDE MUYANGWA 
- DR. RAYMOND GILPIN 
- DR. ANDRE L. LESAGE 
- MR. MICHAEL BOWERBANK 
- MS. VICTORIA GARCIA 
- MS. CYNTHIA FIGOLI 
- MR. ENOCH SARBENG 
- MR. PATRICK KNOX 
- MR. DAVID BENNETT 
- MS. MARY MCGURN 
- MS. WHITNEY JENSEN 
- MR. ANGELO SOMMER 
- MS. CHIDI BLYDEN 
 
Control Officer for the visit will be Political Officer John Letvin 
- office telephone number 265-1-773-166, ext. 3463; e-mail: 
letvinjc@state.gov. 
 
¶2. Accommodations 
Not requested 
 
¶3. Airport Departure Tax 
Regardless of diplomatic or other official status, all departing air 
travelers are subject to an airport departure tax of thirty U.S. 
dollars ($30), which must be paid in U.S. dollars. Today's exchange 
rate is USD 1.00 to 142.006 Malawi Kwacha. 
 
¶4. Foreign Exchange 
Banking services are very limited throughout Malawi and there are no 
ATM machines.  Further, the country is experiencing a shortage of 
hard currency and it is particularly difficult to obtain U.S. 
dollars even via accommodation exchanges with the embassy cashier. 
Whereas the Embassy Cashier will cash travelers checks, usually for 
Malawi Kwacha only at the current exchange rate posted by 
RAMC-Paris, the local money changers normally charge a 10% fee.  For 
all of these reasons, travelers are advised to consider bringing a 
small, whatever is reasonable amount of U.S. dollars if they are 
planning any personal in-country travel. 
 
¶5. Airport Transfer 
All visitors should check in with their host agency executive office 
at their earliest opportunity. 
 
¶6. Cellular Telephones 
Cellular telephones are available for rent at the airport for 
travelers requiring such capability.  The cost is approximately 
$2.50 per day plus a refundable deposit of $200.  Calling cards may 
be purchased in denominations of $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, and $50. 
 
¶7. Climate 
Malawi's climate is generally subtropical.  There is little to no 
rainfall throughout most of the country from May to October. It is 
hot and humid from October to April along the lake and in the Lower 
Shire Valley. Lilongwe is also hot and humid during these months, 
albeit far less than in the south. The rest of the country is warm 
during those months. From June through August, the lake areas and 
far south are comfortably warm, but the rest of Malawi can be chilly 
at night, with temperatures ranging from 5o-14oC or 41o-57oF. 
 
¶8. What to wear 
Visitors are particularly requested to observe local dress customs, 
which strongly emphasized modesty under the former president.  While 
attitudes and customs have changed so that women wearing trousers 
and women and men wearing shorts is acceptable in urban and tourist 
areas, in outlying villages it is still inappropriate for women to 
appear without wearing a skirt or long dress.  This can be easily 
accomplished by tying a wrap around the waist to cover shorts, 
trousers, or short skirts.  The wraps, called chitenjes or khangas, 
are inexpensive, readily available in local markets, and, as a 
bonus, are usually quite beautiful.  In sum, Malawians are very 
conventional and conservative people and our display of obvious 
respect for their customs and traditions 
goes a long way toward furthering our mutual relations, and this is 
particularly so in the rural areas. 
 
¶9. Excess Baggage 
Officials at Kamuzu International Airport can be very strict 
concerning excess baggage; and because fees for excess baggage are 
not posted, travelers run the risk of incurring excessive charges. 
Therefore, when appropriate for reasons of official business, post 
recommends that visitors have an excess baggage allowance added to 
their tickets at the time of purchase. 
 
¶10. Flight Reconfirmation 
Because flights from Lilongwe are frequently overbooked, travelers 
are encouraged to reconfirm onward travel. 
 
¶11. Health 
Travelers to Malawi should check with their agency's medical unit 
several weeks before arrival in Lilongwe to receive recommended 
immunizations and to begin malaria prophylaxis. Malaria is a 
significant health problem in Malawi.  Swimmers should be aware of 
the risk of contracting schistosomiasis.  Although tap water is 
treated in the major cities, quality varies and it is not always 
safe for drinking.  Do not drink water outside of the cities; 
bottled water is readily available in stores and in restaurants. 
HIV/AIDS is prevalent in Malawi and visitors should exercise extreme 
caution at all times to avoid contact that might result in HIV/AIDS 
transmission. 
 
A yellow fever vaccination received within the last ten years and 
evidenced with a World Health Organization International Certificate 
of Vaccinations may be required for entry into Malawi. 
 
¶12. Security 
During your visit to Malawi, you should use the same security 
precautions you would exercise in any urban area of the developing 
world.  Carjacking and robberies occur throughout Malawi and all 
visitors should use caution.  You should not carry personal 
valuables or large amounts of currency when visiting the downtown 
areas of Lilongwe or Blantyre.  We recommend that you not venture 
out alone at night.  Given the high rate of vehicular accidents, use 
of USG 
vehicles outside urban areas after dark is prohibited and the 
mission strongly discourages individuals from driving their private 
vehicles outside urban areas after dark. 
 
¶13. Threat Assessment 
Malawi is rated critical for crime.  Porous borders, easily acquired 
small arms, and an under-resourced police service provide an easy 
environment for criminals.  Besides petty thefts, the majority of 
reported crimes are car-jackings and burglaries.  Even though there 
are no known terrorist organizations 
operating in Malawi, the conditions noted above also allow for a 
possible, undetected terrorist presence.  The current government was 
democratically elected in 1994, then re-elected in 1999 and 2004. 
Malawi currently enjoys political stability with few instances of 
civil unrest or public demonstrations. 
 
¶14. Travel 
Malawi is a long and narrow country, covering more than 1000 km from 
North to South.  The geography is dominated by the tranquil waters 
of Lake Malawi, nearly 600km long and up to 80km wide, bordering the 
east of the country.  It is the greatest attraction for visitors to 
this peaceful place well known for its friendly people, golden 
shores, and stunning natural scenery.  Malawi also has eleven 
national parks and game reserves where everything from elephants to 
 
orchids are protected.  The three national parks of Lengwe, Liwonde, 
and Lake Malawi National Park are located in the south; Kasungu 
National Park is in the 
central region; and Nyika National Park is in the north. 
Additionally, game reserves are accessible from all parts of the 
country. 
 
¶15.  Visas 
U.S. citizens bearing diplomatic, official or tourist passports do 
not require visas when entering Malawi for business or vacation. 
For longer-term stays that 
require a residency visa, the embassy's Consular Section will assist 
you. 
 
¶16. TAKULANDIRANI or MWALANDILIDWA! Welcome to Malawi, the warm 
heart of Africa. 
 
EASTHAM