VZCZCXYZ0029
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBU #0149/01 0431934
ZNR UUUUU ZZH (CCY ADX02DHF37 MSI0589 611)
R 121934Z FEB 09
FM AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 3024

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000149 
 
C O R R E C T E D  C O P Y (REMOVED SIPDIS CAPTION) 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR H, PATRICIA DIGGS 
DEPARTMENT FOR RM/F/DFS/FO/AA/CAA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OREP AMGT ASEC AFIN AR
SUBJECT: ARGENTINA: STAFFDEL LEWIS, FEBRUARY 16-18, 2008 
 
REF: SECSTATE 11880 AND SECSTATE 10404 
 
¶1.  We warmly welcome Ms. Jessica Lewis, Senior Foreign Policy 
Advisor from the Senate Office of the Democratic Leader (SLDR), and 
staff.  Ambassador Wayne will be on official travel during the 
visit, but Deputy Chief of Mission Tom Kelly will participate in the 
staffdel's schedule.  The purpose of the trip is matters pertaining 
to the authorizing committee. 
 
¶2. Control Officer will be Political Officer Ted Craig.  Email: 
craigtj@state.gov.  Embassy address: Av. Colombia 4300, Cellphone: 
(011-54-9-11) 15-3210-1217; Embassy Phone (011-54-11) 5777-4858. 
Embassy Hours: 08:45 am to 05:45 pm. 
 
Administrative point of contact will be General Services Officer 
Richard Glenn.  Email: GlennRH@state.gov, Cellphone: 15- 5061-2156, 
Office: 5777-4748 
 
¶3. Post has secured reservations at the following hotel: 
 
Emperador Hotel 
Av. Libertador 420 
Buenos Aires C1001ABR Argentina 
Phone:  54 11 4131-4000 
Fax:  54 11 4131-3900 
info@hotel-emperador.com.ar 
Arrival date: February 16, 2008 (early check-in requested) 
Departure date: February 18, 2008 
Nights: 2 
3 standard non-smoking rooms 
Confirmation numbers: 365645, 365381 and 365382 
Hotel rate for standard room: usd 162.00 + 21% taxes= usd 196 
Breakfast is included.  Cancellation policy is as follows: 
Cancellations must be made within 24 hours of arrival otherwise the 
hotel will charge for one night stay. 
Early check-in requests will be granted depending on availability. 
Post will provide meet and greet assistance and transportation 
throughout the Staffdel's stay in Argentina. 
 
¶4. Visas: Visitors are reminded that Argentina requires visas in 
U.S. diplomatic and official passports for official travel. Persons 
traveling on official business and carrying diplomatic or official 
passports who arrive without a valid visa may be denied entry and 
sent back to point of origin. The Embassy is unable to secure entry 
of travelers who arrive without visas. 
 
¶5. Airport tax:  Official visitors, holding diplomatic or regular 
passports, are required to pay the airport tax. For international 
flights, the tax is us $18 per passenger (vat-exempt) or peso 
equivalent, payable in cash, with traveler's checks or credit cards. 
 
¶6. Threat assessment: 
 
¶A.  Political violence/terrorism: liaison with host government 
police and security forces indicate there is little threat to U.S. 
citizens (official visitors, business visitors, tourists) from 
indigenous terrorist organizations in Argentina.  There are no 
violent domestic groups currently active in this country that are 
specifically targeting U.S. interests.  However, given the presence 
of members of and support for extremist international terrorist 
groups such as Hizbollah in the tri-border region of Argentina 
(Misiones province), visitors here cannot discount the possibility 
of terrorist activity, to include random acts of anti-American 
violence. 
 
¶B.  Crime: Petty street crime in the city of Buenos Aires and the 
immediate suburbs continues to be a problem for residents and 
visitors alike. Burglaries in the more fashionable suburbs have been 
a particular problem. Visitors to the city of Buenos Aires should be 
aware of problems with hotel security (i.e. thefts from room) and 
pickpockets or purse snatching on the streets and public 
transportation (buses and trains). Pickpockets often work in pairs 
and employ a variety of ruses to victimize the unsuspecting visitor. 
 In recent years, most crime affecting visitors has been 
non-violent; aggravated robberies, shootings, etc., while not 
completely unheard of in Buenos Aires were nonetheless uncommon. 
Recently, however, incidents of armed invasions of restaurants, 
shops and residences by criminal groups are being observed with 
greater frequency, and as a result, it is recommended that due 
caution be exercised when traveling about the city.  However, in 
general, the crime level in Buenos Aires is less severe than large 
U.S. cities. 
 
Pickpockets often work in pairs and employ a variety of ruses to 
victimize the unsuspecting visitor.  In recent years, most crime 
affecting visitors has been non-violent; aggravated robberies, 
shootings, etc., while not completely unheard of in Buenos Aires 
were nonetheless uncommon.  Recently, however, incidents of armed 
invasions of restaurants, shops and residences by criminal groups 
are being observed with greater frequency, and as a result, it is 
recommended that due caution be exercised when traveling about the 
city.  However, in general, the crime level in Buenos Aires is less 
severe than large U.S. cities. 
 
¶7. Accommodation exchange in pesos will be provided by control 
officer upon arrival. 
 
¶8. Telephone Calls:  Visitors should bring fund cites or credit card 
to cover the cost of official international and in-country long 
distance telephone calls.  International calling cards are 
recommended. 
 
¶9. Laptop Computers/Digital Cameras:  Personally owned laptops/palm 
pilots may not/not be used in the Embassy.  USG-owned laptops may 
only be used in controlled access areas (CAA) if the user certifies 
that the computer has been continuously under the personal control 
of a cleared American throughout transit.  If this requirement is 
not met, the laptop can only be used outside of the CAA.  USG-owned 
palm pilots are under the same restrictions as cellular phones and 
other electronic devices, and may not be utilized within the CAA. 
At the embassy, all USG issued or personal cellular phones must be 
left outside of the CAA.  Use of cellular phones outside of the CAA 
is not restricted.  It should be noted that if traveler is bringing 
a cellular phone into the country, argentine law requires the 
traveler to declare the phone, including its value, when filling out 
the customs and immigration declaration form. 
 
¶10. For further general information regarding travel to Argentina, 
travelers should consult the department of state internet site at 
http://travel.state.gov/, which includes the latest consular 
information sheet for Argentina. 
 
¶11. This telegram has been cleared by the Deputy Chief of Mission. 
 
¶12.  Visit the Embassy Buenos Aires classified webpage at: 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/buenosaires 
 
WAYNE