VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHKI #0150/01 0441402
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 131402Z FEB 09
FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9194
INFO RUEHDL/AMEMBASSY DUBLIN 0017
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0194
RUEHLGB/AMEMBASSY KIGALI 4842
RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA 1487

UNCLAS KINSHASA 000150 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPTARTEMENT FOR AF/C AND H 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OREP AMGT ASEC AFIN CG
SUBJECT:  POST WELCOMES CODEL CHRIS SMITH 
 
REF:  STATE 13416 
 
¶1.  Post welcomes CODEL Chris Smith to the Democratic Republic of 
Congo (DRC) from February 18 to February 21, 2009.  Hotel 
reservations are confirmed at the Grand Hotel in Kinshasa for the 
nights of February 18-19 for Congressman Smith and Staff Member Mark 
Milosch.  Rooms are $250 per night, including breakfast, tax and 
service, and are within per diem.  Contact information for the Grand 
Hotel is: Avenue Batatala, Kinshasa, DRC, tel: 243-81-811-0003; Fax: 
243-81-555-3005.  Rooms have been made available at the U.S. 
diplomatic residence in Goma for the night of February 20.  Rooms 
are $100 per night and are within per diem.  Embassy Kinshasa will 
meet and assist on arrival. 
 
¶2.  POINT OF CONTACT 
 
Political Officer Steve Kenoyer will be the Control Officer for the 
visit and can be reached at: 
 
  Office Phone: 011-243-81-556-0151 ext. 2620 
  Cell Phone : 011-243-81-880-8309 
  Email : kenoyersm@state.gov 
 
¶3. (SBU) VISA REQUIREMENTS 
 
A valid Congolese visa is required of all American passport holders, 
whether diplomatic, official or tourist. 
 
¶4. FISCAL DATA REQUIREMENTS 
 
Fiscal data has been received. 
 
¶5. ALL VISITS MUST COMMENCE IN KINSHASA 
 
 In accordance with post policy, all visits to the Democratic 
Republic of Congo which require country clearance are to commence in 
Kinshasa, the country's capital.  Travel to other regions of the 
country including the Kivus, is to be undertaken from Kinshasa. 
Embassy Kinshasa will provide assistance with these travel 
arrangements. 
 
¶6. AIRPORT ADVICE FOR ARRIVING PASSENGERS 
 
Procedures at N'djili Airport are changing as airport officials try 
to strengthen security procedures. 
 
After deplaning, please proceed to the Arrivals Hall.  Travelers 
will be met inside the arrivals hall by an Embassy expeditor who 
will then walk them through immigration.  Please have passports and 
health certificates ready for the Embassy expeditor.  After clearing 
Immigration, travelers will then proceed to exit, met by the control 
officer, and directed to the vehicle.  The expeditor will then 
collect baggage claim tickets and passports, collect the bags, and 
have them delivered to the Grand Hotel.  Please be prepared to give 
the expeditor one USD per bag to pay the porters. 
 
While at the airport, travelers are warned to not, repeat not, pay 
money or give their documents to anyone other than the Embassy 
expeditor.  This also applies to individuals in uniform, who may 
offer their services.  Be polite but do not accept their 
assistance. 
 
¶7. CUSTOMS AND ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT 
 
If you will be carrying tools, heavy cases, or any electronic 
equipment other than personal devices, contact your control officer 
with specific information that can be passed to the expeditor for 
assistance with customs clearance. 
 
¶8. SECURITY 
 
Kinshasa is a critical threat crime post. Recent robberies indicate 
the targeting of Americans; all visitors should remain vigilant and 
cautious during their stay in Kinshasa. The RSO advises that you 
exercise caution in the areas around hotels, and that you do not 
travel after nightfall unless accompanied by someone familiar with 
the security situation in Kinshasa. TDY personnel should not use any 
form of local transportation and should refrain from 
displaying/using camera as in public. 
 
 
¶9. CURRENCY 
 
The use of dollars in the DRC is legal and acceptable for most 
transactions.  Travelers arriving in the DRC with more than USD 
10,000 must fill out a currency declaration.  Travelers departing 
the DRC are not allowed to take out more than USD 10,000 in cash. 
Although there are some newly-installed ATM machines the RSO does 
not yet advocate their use.  However, USG personnel are authorized 
USD and Franc Congolais accommodation exchange at the Embassy and/or 
USAID cashier; personal or travelers' checks are acceptable.  Most 
personnel use Franc Congolais only for small purchases and tips. 
 
American Express, Visa, Master Card, and Diner's Club are accepted 
in payment of bills at Kinshasa's two major hotels.  However, very 
few other businesses in the Congo accept credit cards and their use 
outside of the major hotels is discouraged.  Cashing traveler's 
checks outside the Embassy is generally not advised because banks 
charge substantial fees for cashing them; traveler's checks are 
rarely accepted at all outside of Kinshasa. 
 
¶10. MEDICAL 
 
MALARIA: Congo is a malaria-affected area.  All travelers should 
consult with medical personnel and take malaria prophylactics as 
appropriate, before arriving in Kinshasa. 
 
YELLOW FEVER: You must have a valid yellow fever vaccination and 
your yellow vaccination card when you arrive.  You may be charged a 
fine of $50-$100 without proof of vaccination. 
 
¶11. You may visit the Embassy's Intranet website at 
http://kinshasa.state.gov.  While still under construction, 
information is being added daily that you may find useful. 
 
¶12. Have a good trip.  Post looks forward to seeing you in 
Kinshasa. 
 
GARVELINK