VZCZCXYZ0013
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBM #0263/01 0991017
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 081017Z APR 08
FM AMEMBASSY BUCHAREST
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8127

UNCLAS BUCHAREST 000263 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OTRA KCRM KWMN PHUM SMIG PREL RO
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR G/TIP VISIT OF 
ELEANOR GAETAN 
 
REF: STATE 035293 
 
¶1. Embassy grants country clearance to Eleanor Gaetan, Senior 
Coordinator 
for Public Affairs for the Office to Monitor and Combat 
Trafficking in 
Persons (G/TIP).  The purpose of Mrs. Gaetan,s visit is to 
speak at a 
conference on human trafficking, hosted by the Ratiu 
foundation Romania. 
 
¶2. Per reftel, post understands no Embassy assistance is 
requested. 
Travelers are responsible for canceling their own hotel 
reservations 
by calling the hotel directly. Note: Most hotels require a 
24-hour notice, 
prior to scheduled arrival, in order to successfully cancel 
reservations without 
penalty. Should travelers fail to successfully change the 
reservation on time; 
the traveler will be responsible for any resulting hotel 
charges. 
 
¶3. Travelers to Romania should be advised of the following: 
 
--Visas are required for holders of U.S. passports (including 
diplomatic and official passports) only if they plan to 
remain in 
Romania for more than 90 days. 
 
--Romania is largely a cash economy.  Although major hotels 
and an 
increasing number of shops and restaurants accept credit 
cards, it 
is not advisable to use them given the danger of fraud and 
potential 
misuse of credit card data.  The Embassy is aware of 
instances of 
credit card fraud in Bucharest and other locations in 
Romania.  This 
scam can result in thousands of dollars of fraudulent charges 
on a 
single user's card.  The crime entails "swiping" a credit card 
through an easily obtainable hand-held device.  Post advises 
all 
visitors to Romania to keep constant watch on their credit 
cards 
whenever the cards are turned over for payment. 
 
--ATMs are widely available in Bucharest and other urban 
areas. 
There are two in the arrival area of the international 
airport. 
Visitors should note that ATMs have occasionally been altered 
in 
order to defraud users.  It is therefore advisable to limit 
ATM use 
to those in indoor locations or physically attached to a 
banking 
institution. If you plan to use ATM machines in Romania, 
please 
check with your bank prior to arrival to ensure that use of 
ATMs in 
Romania is not blocked for anti-fraud reasons. 
 
-- A concern for visitors is crime.  While most crimes against 
official Americans are limited to property theft, post has 
noted in 
increase in simple assaults associated with these thefts - 
particularly late at night.  Travelers should be aware of 
money 
exchange scams involving individuals posing as plainclothes 
policemen; approaches of "quick friendship" at train/subway 
stations 
resulting in thefts or drugging; pickpockets and/or purse 
slashing; 
and muggings.  Panhandlers - often groups of children - can 
be very 
aggressive and have resorted to grabbing/tearing clothing in 
their 
efforts to steal.  When eating at restaurants, do not hang 
handbags 
and suit coats on the backs of chairs or leave them on the 
floor out 
of sight.  Wallets and other valuables can/will be stolen if 
caution 
is not exercised.  Extreme care should be taken when 
patronizing 
"after-hours clubs" with "live entertainment," which can 
charge 
exorbitant prices and are relentless in pursuing payment. 
Most of 
 
the property crimes involving violence have taken place late 
at 
night and in close proximity to these establishments. 
Temporary 
duty travelers who will remain at post for longer than a week 
may be 
required to attend the RSO security briefing.  Post has also 
prepared a handout for TDY personnel which will be made 
available 
upon request. 
 
--Travelers with security questions should contact the 
Regional 
Security Officer. 
 
--Current information on diseases, including avian flu, and 
other 
health precautions for Romania can be obtained from the 
Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website at 
www.cdc.gov/travel/easteur.htm, the State Department at 
www.travel.state.gov; and the World Health Organization at 
http: 
//www.who.int/csr/ disease/avian influenza/country/en. 
Visitors 
with chronic medical conditions are reminded to bring an 
adequate 
supply of medication and or medical supplies to cover the 
length of 
their stay in Romania and (for controlled drugs) documentation 
verifying their need for such medications.  Certain 
medications, 
supplies and dosages or delivery systems may not be available 
here. 
Water is not potable.  Bottled water is readily available. 
 
--In 2005, Avian Flu Virus was found in tests of domesticated 
and 
commercial poultry at various locations in Romania. At 
present, the 
Romanian government reports there are no cases in the 
country.  If 
cases do emerge, visitors are advised to avoid areas 
identified by 
the Romanian government as being affected by avian influenza. 
Embassy Bucharest reminds all visitors coming to Romania to 
take all 
suggested precautions which may be found at: http: 
//travel.state.gov/travel/tips/ health/health 1181.html. 
 
¶5.  For all visitors who will access the embassy, please be 
aware of 
the following: 
 
--The use of privately owned laptops and personal computers, 
including personal digital assistants (PDAs), is prohibited 
in the 
chancery.  Cellular phones are prohibited in classified 
authorized 
areas (CAAs).  Travelers with USG-owned unclassified laptops 
or 
notebook computers, peripherals, diskettes and tapes must 
obtain 
RSO/IMO authorization for access.  USG-owned classified 
computers 
must arrive at post via classified diplomatic pouch, bearing 
USG bar 
code inventory number and be marked with the highest 
classification 
level of information processed on the system.  Questions 
concerning 
other types of electronic devices and magnetic media should be 
directed to the RSO, IMO, or ISSO. 
TAUBMAN