VZCZCXYZ0008
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHDS #2951/01 2750759
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 020759Z OCT 07
FM AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA
TO RUEHNR/AMEMBASSY NAIROBI IMMEDIATE 3151
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8014

UNCLAS ADDIS ABABA 002951 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
USDA/ARS FOR JAMES LOMBARD AND JACOLYN MORRISON 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAGR KE OTRA ET
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR YUE JIN 
 
REF: STATE 686969 
 
¶1. Embassy Addis Ababa welcomes Yue Jin, yue.jin@ars.usda.gov 
to Ethiopia 
October 2 to October 7, 2007. Country clearance is granted 
subject to the 
actual security situation at the time of proposed travel. 
Travelers should 
re-confirm this clearance with the control officer 72 hours 
prior to 
commencement of travel, and consult the Department of State 
website 
at http://travel.state.gov. The purpose of Yue Jin's travel 
is to 
assess field plots in Debre Zeit of winter wheat resistance 
to UG99. 
As of this writing, Yue Jin has requested no US Embassy Addis 
Ababa assistance. 
 
¶2.  Please be advised that effective immediately, all 
visitors must 
clearly state the purpose of their visit and the areas to be 
visited, as well as to check in with post upon arrival or the 
appropriate designated Embassy contact. All visitors must also 
report the results of their visit prior to departure to the 
Front 
Office.  Visitors who alter their travel plans or focus of 
their 
visit without informing the Embassy, particularly travel to 
unauthorized, unsafe or "off limit" areas, or send reports on 
Ethiopia operations without clearing such messages with the 
Embassy 
will be denied future clearances.  The sponsoring office of 
the 
visitor could also face future restrictions on country 
clearance 
requests for their travelers to Ethiopia. This policy is being 
implemented to ensure that all visitors follow strictly 
appropriate 
safety and security measures, especially avoiding travel to 
unsafe 
areas, and also as a result of visitors disregarding Embassy 
clearance procedures and conditions under which Chief of 
Mission 
authority is granted. 
 
¶2.  The Embassy pouch address is 2030 Addis Ababa Place, 
Washington, DC 20521-2030.  The Embassy operating hours are 
Monday 
to Thursday from 7:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Fridays, from 7:45 
a.m. 
to 11:45 a.m.  The Addis Ababa contact in-country 
is the ILRI Guest Lodge, 251 11 617 2000. Emergencies prior 
to 
Yue Jin's departure, please contact Jacolyn Morrison, 
612-625-7081; 
jacki.morrison@ars.usda.gov. Clearances can also be directed 
to James.Lombard@ars.usda.gov.  Your Control Officer is John 
Stamm, 
USAID Acting Office Chief for Economic Growth, email: 
jstamm@usaid.gov, 
Office: 251 11 551 0088 X417; Cell: 251 0911 21 81 85. 
 
¶3. Entry Requirements: Post strongly recommends that 
Business/Tourist visas be obtained at the closest Ethiopian 
embassy 
to the traveler's point of origin.  If that is not possible, 
for 
persons traveling on an ordinary U.S. passport, a business 
visa 
valid for five days only if he/she has a relevant document 
can be 
obtained only at Bole International Airport for USD 20.00.  A 
Tourist visa can be given for one month only.  A person 
traveling on 
a diplomatic passport can obtain an entry visa free of charge. 
Passengers should be aware that, if they elect to obtain an 
entry 
visa at the airport, they may be delayed by as much as one or 
two 
hours.  Be sure to have exact change in U.S. dollars to pay 
for the 
visa, as change for larger bills is virtually impossible to 
find at 
the visa counter and efforts to obtain change from airport 
banks may 
result in even longer delays.  NOTE: In accordance with the 
terms of 
a SOFA agreement signed with the Government of Ethiopia, 
military 
personnel are allowed to travel within Ethiopia using their 
military 
I.D. cards as valid travel documents. Individuals (both 
military and 
civilian) who are visiting the African Union (AU) are 
required to 
in-brief at the U.S. Embassy prior to consultations at the 
AU, and 
out-brief at the U.S. Embassy at the conclusion of 
consultations at 
the AU prior to departure. 
 
¶4.  If a traveler is coming from or has recently visited 
countries 
where yellow fever, cholera or influenza is endemic, 
immunization 
records documenting yellow fever and/or cholera vaccination 
may be 
required to enter the country.  Travelers coming directly 
from the 
U.S. or Europe are generally not asked for such documentation. 
Recommended vaccinations include: tetanus, hepatitis A, 
hepatitis B, 
typhoid, meningitis, poliomyelitis and, for high-risk groups, 
rabies. 
 
¶5.  Visitors should confirm onward flight reservations at 
least 72 
(seventy-two) hours prior to departure to reduce the 
possibility of 
cancellation.  Please note that many airlines operating in 
Ethiopia 
cancel reservations that have not been confirmed and will 
often 
refuse to reinstate them at the time of scheduled departure. 
 
¶6.  Money: Credit cards are not accepted at most hotels, 
except for 
the Sheraton and the Hilton and are not accepted at any local 
restaurants, shops or other facilities. Foreigners are 
required to 
pay for car rentals in hard currency.  There are no ATMs in 
Ethiopia.  You will not be able to get cash using your ATM 
card, but 
guests and visitors at the Sheraton Addis Hotel can obtain up 
to USD 
500.00 per day using a major credit card that has a cash 
advance 
facility.  For travelers on official orders, the Embassy and 
USAID 
cashiers and Bank of Abyssinia provide accommodation exchange 
services.  The Bank of Abyssinia provides these services 
(cashing a 
personal check drawn on a U.S. bank to local currency) at 
both the 
Embassy (in the lobby of the Admin Building from 10:00 a.m. - 
1:00 
p.m., Monday through Friday) and USAID (2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., 
Monday through Thursday and 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. on Friday).  The 
Embassy cashier provides cashing service for USD cash to local 
currency.  The Embassy cashier hours are Monday to Thursday 
from 
8:30 a.m. - 12:00P p.m. Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. and 
Wednesday is closed.  The daily maximum is USD 500.00.  Both 
the 
Embassy and USAID cashiers can sometimes provide U.S. dollars 
if 
needed, but supplies are very limited.  For this reason, 
travelers 
always should  arrive with enough cash to meet their needs. 
The 
current rate of exchange is approximately 9.03 Ethiopian Birr 
to one 
U.S. dollar. 
 
¶7.  Currency regulations: Currency declarations are required 
on 
entry to Ethiopia, and travelers may be asked by customs 
officials 
to show the amount of currency they have.  Holders of 
diplomatic or 
official passports will not be asked.  It is illegal to buy 
or sell 
foreign currency except at banks, or licensed hotels.  It is 
also 
against the law to pay for purchases with foreign currency. 
If you 
wish to pay your hotel bill in cash, you must exchange the 
hard 
currency at a legal exchange point and present the receipt to 
the 
hotel at time of payment. 
 
¶8.  Health: Medical facilities in Ethiopia generally do not 
meet 
international standards.  Very basic care is available at some 
private hospitals in Addis Ababa (and through the Embassy 
Health 
Unit for authorized users).  Because of its altitude 
(7,000-8,000 
feet above sea level), travel to Addis Ababa is not 
recommended for 
those with pulmonary/heart conditions.  This includes 
individuals 
suffering from bronchial asthma, angina pectoris, previous 
myocardial infarction, emphysema, congestive heart failure or 
sleep 
apnea.  Individuals with sickle cell anemia should carefully 
consider the altitude of this post before traveling here. 
Dehydration is a common problem and travelers should ensure 
that 
they drink plenty of clean, bottled water, which is widely 
available 
in shops or restaurants (NOTE: Do not accept a bottle that is 
unsealed.).  Many pharmacies in Addis Ababa are reasonably 
well 
stocked, but medications are not always standard and may not 
even be 
genuine.  Travelers should bring sufficient supplies of any 
medications they might need while in country.  Post policy is 
to 
stabilize those requiring acute care and to evacuate them 
immediately.  All travelers are advised to closely adhere to 
the 
following guidelines: 
 
¶A.  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.  For 
more information, contact your health unit or the medical 
clearances 
section of the Office of Medical Services. 
 
¶B.  Bring sufficient supplies of all chronic and emergency 
medications. 
 
¶C.  Only personnel covered under the State Department's 
medical 
program, and with a valid medical clearance for Addis Ababa, 
are 
eligible for medevac at USG cost.  All other visitors are 
required 
to have in their possession documentation of currently valid 
medical 
evacuation insurance sufficient to ensure evacuation by 
chartered 
air ambulance, or ensure that their agency will cover the 
cost. 
 
¶D.  Malaria prophylaxis is not needed in Addis Ababa, but is 
needed 
should travel be extended to lowland malarial areas outside 
Addis 
Ababa.  Medical facilities are not generally adequate to care 
for 
complications due to malaria Chloroquine-resistant malaria is 
present at lower elevations of Ethiopia.  In these areas, 
malaria 
prophylaxis containing mefloquine, doxycycline or atovaquone 
with 
proguanil, together with exposure prevention techniques (use 
of 
mosquito repellent, long-sleeve shirts and long trousers, 
mosquito 
nets, etc.) are essential. 
 
¶9. Weather: Addis Ababa experiences two rainy seasons light 
rains 
from February through April, and heavy rains from June 
through September). 
The average daytime temperature in Addis Ababa is between 75 
and 80 
degrees Fahrenheit.  Nighttime temperatures can range from 
the upper 
30's to the low 60's depending upon the time of year. 
Business 
dress in Addis Ababa tends to be fairly formal, with jackets 
and 
ties for men and skirts or pant-suits standard for women. 
Travelers 
should bring a medium weight sweater or jacket for evenings, 
when 
the temperature drops as soon as the sun sets.  Because of the 
altitude, the sun in Addis Ababa is quite intense, and 
travelers 
should carry and use a strong sun block. 
 
¶10.  Electronic equipment: Items for personal use (short-wave 
radio, 
laptop computer, still camera, video camera) can be brought 
into 
Ethiopia.  Generally such items must be declared on arrival, 
when a 
customs officer will list these items in the traveler's 
passport. 
Customs officials may then check on departure to insure that 
these 
items are being taken out of the country again.  CD players, 
commercial quality camera equipment, video or DVD players or 
other 
work-related electronic equipment or tools may be difficult 
to bring 
into the country and may be impounded by customs officials at 
the 
airport.  Travelers who intend to bring such equipment into 
Ethiopia 
should provide the Embassy or USAID complete details (e.g., 
type of 
equipment, number being imported, make(s), model(s) and serial 
number(s)) at least 24 hours prior to their arrival so that 
appropriate arrangements can be made for bringing it into 
Ethiopia. 
 
¶11.  Security: The Department of State urges U.S. citizens to 
consider deferring travel to northern Tigray (bordering 
Eritrea) and 
regions bordering Somalia due to security concerns.  In the 
northern 
part of the country, the Ethiopian-Eritrean conflict could 
rekindle 
without warning and significantly affect the border region 
between 
both countries.  Transportation to this area has been 
disrupted on 
occasion, limiting the U.S. government's ability to assist its 
citizens.  Travel to the Ogaden Region has also been severely 
restricted due to recent attacks and all official USG 
employees must 
obtain special permission before traveling to this region. 
Other 
areas of Ethiopia, particularly in border areas, are subject 
to 
periodic instability, and visitors planning to travel outside 
of 
Addis Ababa should consult the Consular Information Sheet and 
check 
with the Regional Security Officer for the most up-to-date 
security 
information before beginning travel. 
 
¶12. Crime: Pick-pocketing and other petty crimes are 
prevalent in 
urban areas.  There are occasional reports of thieves 
snatching 
jewelry.  Visitors should exercise normal caution and not 
carry 
large sums of money or wear excessive jewelry on their 
persons. 
Visitors should carry wallets and other valuables where they 
will 
not be susceptible to pickpockets.  Walking in Addis Ababa 
after 
dusk is not safe. Night driving is strongly discouraged 
outside of 
major urban areas.  Armed banditry can occur on roads outside 
major 
towns or cities and may be accompanied by violence. 
 
¶13. The loss or theft of a U.S. passport should be reported 
immediately to the U.S. Embassy located on Entoto Road and to 
the 
local police.  It is advisable  to leave passports, plane 
tickets 
and valuables in a hotel safe.  Visitors, however, will be 
asked to 
show passports or other official identification when entering 
the 
U.S. Embassy compound. 
 
¶14. Photography:  Ethiopians are very sensitive about 
photography. 
It is strictly prohibited to photograph military 
installations, 
police or military personnel, industrial facilities, 
government 
buildings, and infrastructure facilities (roads, bridges, 
ports, 
airfields, etc.).  Confiscation of film or camera or even 
arrest may 
result.  Tourist photography, on the other hand, is 
encouraged.  A 
good rule of thumb: If there is any doubt about whether the 
photograph should be taken, don't take it. 
 
¶15. TDY Action Request: For TDYers 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 a MOU for ICASS support services upon arrival.  The 
agency 
should provide Post with a written communication, generated 
by the 
traveler's headquarters, that confirms the agency will pay 
ICASS 
charges for the TDYer, provide the agency charges ICASS 
billing code 
for the TDY support to be applied, and 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 services to a TDYer staying in excess of 
thirty 
days without this documentation prior to day 31 of the TDY. 
To 
receive services such as access to TDYers computers, must 
in-process 
upon arrival. 
 
¶16.  This cable was last updated on May 15, 2007. 
YAMAMOTO