VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHMK #0221/01 1041448
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 141448Z APR 09
FM AMEMBASSY MANAMA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8618
INFO RUEHAD/AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI PRIORITY 1794
RUEHAS/AMEMBASSY ALGIERS PRIORITY 0661
RUEHBS/AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS PRIORITY 0815
RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO PRIORITY 1027
RUEHDO/AMEMBASSY DOHA PRIORITY 0922
RUEHKU/AMEMBASSY KUWAIT PRIORITY 2998
RUEHMS/AMEMBASSY MUSCAT PRIORITY 0449
RUEHRB/AMEMBASSY RABAT PRIORITY 1037
RUEHRH/AMEMBASSY RIYADH PRIORITY 2883
RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV PRIORITY 3622
RUEHTU/AMEMBASSY TUNIS PRIORITY 0296
RUEHJM/AMCONSUL JERUSALEM PRIORITY 2675

UNCLAS MANAMA 000221 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NEA/IPA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OVIP AMGT BA
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE:  SPECIAL ENVOY GEORGE MITCHELL 
(APRIL 20) 
 
REF: STATE 35648 
 
¶1.  Embassy Manama warmly welcomes the visit of Special Envoy 
George Mitchell and his delegation to Bahrain on April 20, 
¶2009. 
 
¶2.  Control Officer for the visit is Acting Deputy Chief of 
Mission Steve Butler.  His office telephone number is (973) 
1724-2908; cell phone (973) 3996-5019; home (973) 1779-5289. 
Email: ButlerSR@state.gov.  The Embassy's afterhours number 
is (973) 1724-2957. 
 
¶3.  OMS liaison is Pol/Econ OMS Lisa Hess.  Her office 
telephone number is (973) 1724-2939; cell phone (973) 
3931-7858; home (973) 1759-6517.  Email:  HessL@state.gov 
 
¶4.  Public Affairs liaison is Public Affairs Officer Rachel 
Graaf.  Her office telephone number is (973) 1724-2717; cell 
phone (973) 3963-6053; home (973) 1759-4013.  Email: 
GraafRD@state.gov. 
 
¶5.  Control Officer will be at the airport to assist with 
entry formalities.  Post will provide transportation for the 
duration of the visit. 
 
¶6.  The use of digital cameras and laptops in non-CAA areas 
must be cleared by the RSO's office before being brought into 
the Embassy. 
 
¶7.  Please consider the following in-country administrative 
notes for Manama, Bahrain: 
 
    a)  VISAS: A visa is required for Bahrain.  U.S. 
diplomatic and official passport holders can obtain a gratis 
72-hours or a 7-day visa at the airport immigration 
authority.  If traveler is required to stay longer, the visa 
can be extended.  Significant penalties are charged if the 
visa is not extended prior to expiry.  Visitors staying 
beyond the time limit of the visa should submit their 
passport for visa processing by the Embassy at least two days 
prior to the visa's expiration date. 
 
    b)  LODGING and TRANSPORTATION: Visitors must bring 
adequate funds to cover hotel tariffs and expenses.  Hotels 
accept major credit cards (Amex, Visa, MasterCard).  Embassy 
will arrange for airport expediting and transportation upon 
request. 
 
    c)  BAGGAGE: All luggage is subject to x-ray and hand 
inspection by Bahraini customs officials.  Among items that 
may not be brought into Bahrain are: firearms, large knives, 
swords, videos of any type, and pornography. 
 
    d)  DRESS: Modest dress is more appropriate in Bahrain. 
Both men and women should avoid shorts and sleeveless attire 
in public, although bathing suits and shorts are acceptable 
at hotel facilities. 
 
    e)  PHOTOGRAPHY: Photographing military, religious, and 
government installations is forbidden, and one should ask 
permission before photographing Bahraini Nationals. 
 
    f)  LOCAL TIME: The time difference from Washington D.C. 
is 7 hours.  The official Embassy workweek is Sunday through 
Thursday, 0800 to 1700. 
 
¶8.  Please consider the following in-country threat 
assessment notes for Manama, Bahrain: 
 
    a)  Terrorism: After the September 11 terrorist attacks 
in the United States, and the subsequent declaration of a new 
war on terrorism and countries that support it, the need for 
keen situational awareness is more necessary than ever. 
There have been no attacks against either Americans or 
Westerners in general in Bahrain.  However, the current 
regional situation dictates caution.  Visitors must be alert 
to their surroundings and to the possibility of hostile 
surveillance.  Keep hotel rooms locked.  Do not open unlocked 
 
doors to visitors without verifying who they are.  Vary times 
of departure and arrivals at the hotel and be alert to 
individuals lingering in lobby areas or entrances.  Once 
familiar with the area and routes, take charge in taxis and 
direct the driver to change routes to and from the Embassy. 
Keep windows up and doors locked when traveling in vehicles. 
Report any suspicious activity to the RSO immediately.  Be 
prepared to provide identifying information such as license 
numbers, descriptions, etc.  As tensions are currently 
elevated throughout the region, it is very important for 
visitors to maintain a low profile and avoid confrontations. 
Shirts, jackets, or sweaters covered with Americana are not 
appropriate. 
 
    b)  Crime: Incidents of common crime in Bahrain are very 
low by Western standards.  Unlocked doors, open windows, 
bulging wallets, or purses slung over the back, may invite 
crimes of opportunity.  Common sense precautions that an 
experienced traveler would take in any major metropolitan 
area will suffice in Bahrain. 
 
Americans should note this information when traveling to 
Bahrain. 
 
********************************************* ******** 
Visit Embassy Manama's Classified Website: 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/manama/ 
********************************************* ******** 
HENZEL