VZCZCXYZ0034
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHWN #0436 1921533
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 101533Z JUL 08
FM AMEMBASSY BRIDGETOWN
TO RUCOCGR/COMLANTAREA COGARD PORTSMOUTH VA//AP//
INFO RUHUDMC/USSOUTHAF DAVIS MONTHAN AFB AZ//SG//
RULSJGA/COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-3PCE-1/CG-OOI/CG-3PCP-3//
RUCOCGR/COMLANTAREA COGARD PORTSMOUTH VA//AI/AE//
RUCOWCZ/COGARD TRACEN YORKTOWN VA//ITD//
RULSJGI/COGARD INTELCOORDCEN WASHINGTON DC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC//DHO-5//
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6597

UNCLAS BRIDGETOWN 000436 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: ASEC OTRA DO XL
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE APPROVAL GRANTED TO GILMORE PLUS TWO TO 
TRAVEL TO DOMINICA 
 
REF: 021910Z JUL 08 
 
¶1. Embassy Bridgetown warmly welcomes and grants country clearance 
to LCDR Felton Gilmore, USCG, LCDR Bryan Ullmer, USCG and LCDR 
Matthew Colmer, USCG for travel to Dominica July 20 - 22, 2008. The 
purpose of this mission is to conduct port discussions with port 
officials IAW the U.S. Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002, 
Department of Homeland Security. 
 
¶2. Embassy points of contact are CDR P. Kofi Aboagye, Chief, 
Military Liaison Office, CDR Edward Gaynor (new incoming MLO Chief) 
(246) 227-4339 or cell (246) 230-2705 and Major Edward Harvey, 
Deputy Chief, Military Liaison Office, (246) 227-4166 or cell (246) 
230-2712. 
 
¶3. The exchange rate for Dominica is approximately $2.70 xcd 
(Eastern Caribbean) dollars for $1.00 U.S. dollar.  U.S. currency, 
traveler's checks, and credit cards are routinely and widely 
accepted here. 
 
¶4. Entry requirements:  A valid U.S. passport is required to enter 
Dominica.  No visa is required if your stay is under six months, 
including those travelers arriving with diplomatic or official 
passports.  For further information, travelers may contact the 
Embassy of Barbados, 2144 Wyoming Avenue N.W., Washington D.C. 
20008, tel. 1-202-939-9200. 
 
¶5. Restrictions: The laws of Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, St. 
Lucia, Grenada, Dominica, and Saint Kitts and Nevis prohibit 
non-military personnel from wearing any articles of camouflage 
clothing. Immigration officers in these countries randomly check 
visitor's baggage on arrival at the airport; if items of restriction 
are found, you will be asked to surrender them to the officers. 
 
¶6. Departure tax for Dominica is $60.00 XCD (Eastern Caribbean 
Currency) or $23.00 USD. 
 
¶7.  The following is general information pertaining to security and 
health considerations throughout the Eastern Caribbean: 
 
Security 
-------- 
In the Eastern Caribbean, foot travel outside of well-established 
tourist areas is not generally recommended, especially at night.  Be 
vigilant when using public telephones or ATM machines near roadsides 
or quiet areas.  As in many U.S. metropolitan areas, wearing 
expensive jewelry, carrying expensive objects, or carrying large 
amounts of cash should be avoided.  Visitors should also safeguard 
valuables while at the beach.  While hotels are generally safe, many 
visitors have experienced loss of unattended items.  Hotel 
burglaries are not uncommon and all valuables should be locked in 
room safes if possible. 
 
Health Information 
------------------ 
Throughout the Eastern Caribbean, the most likely threat to a 
visitor's health is sunburn.  It takes several weeks to become 
accustomed to the heat and humidity.  Prolonged exposure to the sun, 
without protection, causes sunburn and may ultimately result in 
sun-damaged skin or even skin cancer.  Sunscreens should be used for 
protection.  In Barbados, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent the major 
health threat is dengue fever, transmitted by mosquito.  Dengue 
cases are most often seen in the summer months.  Persons should 
therefore protect themselves with insect repellant.  There is also a 
growing number of HIV/AIDS cases reported.  The Eastern Caribbean 
enjoys clean and safe drinking water.  Only routine boosters for 
immunizations (i.e. tetanus, diphtheria, and oral polio vaccine) are 
required when traveling to this region.  Barbados has the best 
medical facilities of all the islands in the region and most of the 
medical specialties have practitioners here. 
 
OURISMAN