INDEPENDENT NEWS

Cablegate: Country Clearance Granted for G/Tip Visit Of

Published: Tue 8 Apr 2008 10:17 AM
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
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