Cablegate: Argentina: Codel Granger, August 30-September 2

VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBU #0975/01 2381546
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 261546Z AUG 09
FM AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4273
INFO RUEHAC/AMEMBASSY ASUNCION 7169
RHMFIUU/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHINGTON DC
RHMCSUU/FBI WASHINGTON DC
RUEABND/DEA HQS WASHINGTON DC

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000975

STATE FOR H, KIRSTEN STIANSEN
STATE FOR RM/F/DFS/FO/AA/CAA

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OREP AMGT ASEC AFIN SNAR PTER KTIP AR
SUBJECT: ARGENTINA: CODEL GRANGER, AUGUST 30-SEPTEMBER 2

REF: SECSTATE 84084

1. The Charge d'Affaires, Tom Kelly, warmly welcomes Representative
Kay Granger and the delegation she is leading to Argentina August 30
- September 2. Per reftel, the purpose of the trip is to examine
Department of Justice office operations in Buenos Aires and consult
with the Government of Argentina on bilateral cooperation in
fighting drug and human trafficking, and terrorism.

2. Control Officer will be Political Officer Ted Craig.
Email: CraigTJ@state.gov, cellphone (011-54-9-11) 3210-1217
Office telephone (54-11) 5777-4858/4656, Embassy Phone (011-54-11)
5777-4234. Embassy Hours: 08:45 am to 05:45 pm.

Administrative point of contact will be Management Officer Dorothy
Sarro. Email: SarroDK@state.gov, Cellphone: (011-54-9-11)
6602-7332; Home Phone: (011-54-11) 4803-2720.

3. Post has secured reservations at the following hotel:

EMPERADOR HOTEL
AV. LIBERTADOR 420
TEL: 54-11-4131-4004
FAX: 54-11-4131-3910
EMAIL: RESERVAS@HOTEL-EMPERADOR.COM.AR
WWW.HOTEL-EMPERADOR.COM.AR
SEVEN (7) ROOMS RESERVED
Hotel rate for standard room including tax is US $196.00 and
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 at the Hotel Emperador has been arranged for August
30 on arrival. Post will meet and greet the codel at the airport
and provide transportation throughout the codel'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. 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.

6. Per diem (lodging and M&IE, plus US$50), will be disbursed in
Argentine pesos immediately upon arrival. Reverse currency exchange
will be provided prior to departure.

7. Telephone Calls: As requested, three (3) cellular telephones
will be provided. Visitors should bring fund cites or credit card
to cover the cost of official international and in-country long
distance landline telephone calls. International calling cards are
recommended.

8. Laptop Computers/Digital Cameras: Laptops/palm pilots, cellular
phones and other electronic devices may not be brought into the
Embassy without the prior approval of the regional security office.
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.

9. 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.

KELLY

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