T1a B49 Raj De 2004 Trip Book Fdr- Tab 4- Saudi Arabia- Travel Info

Neel, James P Heading:

/Riyadh 638

UNCLASSIFIED

ROUTINE

SUBJECT: RIYADH COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR STAFF OF THE NATIONAL COMMISSION ON TERRORIST ATTACKS UPON THE UNITED STATES REF: STATE 23861 1 . Mission welcomes the visit of National Commission on Terrorist Attacks upon the United States staff members Dietrich Snell and Rajesh De and grants country clearance for Saudi Arabia, February 23 - 26, 2004, for purposes outlined in reftel. M has approved this travel to Saudi Arabia while post is under authorized departure status. 2. Control Officer for the visit is Political Officer Matthew Tueller, office telephone: 966-1-488-3800 ext. 4237; mobile phone no: 966-5-525-2855; e-mail [email protected]. Hotel arrangements have been made at Riyadh Palace and are within the per diem rate. Hotel phone number is: 01 1-966-1-405-4444 fax number is: 01 1-966-1-405-3725 3. The following is standard guidance for official travel to Saudi Arabia: A. Entry: Visas are required for all travelers entering Saudi Arabia. It is becoming considerably more difficult to enter Saudi Arabia without a valid visa and those visitors who arrive without a visa will be directed by this Consulate and Saudi Immigration officials to immediately fly back out of the Kingdom until a new visa is obtained. We ask that all official travelers to Saudi Arabia request a two-year, multiple-entry visa from the Saudi Embassy or Consulate. ^—Travelers, who have entered the Kingdom on a previous visa, lould ensure their visa is a multiple entry visa and should ensure the visa has not expired. If it has expired or if the visa was for a single entry, you must obtain a new visa. If you are not certain that you have the correct visa, please fax a copy of it to the Embassy Riyadh Human Resources office for review. The Fax number in HR is 966-1-488-7765. Any overtime required by the Embassy duty officer, expediter, drivers, or others will be charged directly to the traveler. Embassy Riyadh direct charges each office, agency and visiting delegation for all costs incurred in support of official travel. These costs include American and foreign service national employees' overtime, holiday pay and premium pay as applicable, field travel by Embassy personnel, transportation costs, vehicle rental, telephone installation and service, cell phone rentals and telephone calls, equipment rental, printing expenses, and any other costs that can be directly attributed to the visit B. Security: On May 12, 2003, Al Qaeda conducted a major terrorist attack in Riyadh, detonating three large vehicle bombs inside three western housing compounds. Another ex-patriate housing compound was attacked by terrorists on November 8, 2003. The Embassy continues to receive new information suggesting that additional terrorist actions against both official and unofficial U.S. and western interests in Saudi Arabia remain possible. These reports are cause for concern and reinforce the need for continued vigilance and alertness. May 12, there have been incidents in which explosive /ices were placed under vehicles driven by Westerners. In itfo incidents in 2002, the devices detonated killing the

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states that non-Muslim women are not required to wear an abayya, but should dress conservatively (loose fitting dresses that cover well below the knee with long sleeves and a high neckline) when in public. This is also the position of the Embassy and Consulates. However, some western women, particularly those living in the Riyadh area and in the more conservative central region, wear an abayya when in public places on personal business, and carry a head scarf in order to avoid harassment by the religious police known as the mutawwa'in. However, even with the abayya and scarf, harassment still occurs. The Embassy will support women in whatever personal choice they make on the issue of wearing or not wearing an abayya or headscarf. I. Motorpool support for "Other Authorized Use": All personnel (male or female) in an official Temporary Duty status will be provided "other authorized use" local area transportation, as available, for the duration of their assignment at Post on a fee-per-trip basis, at a flat rate of SR 10 per trip, to be paid for by purchasing a SR 200 transportation trip ticket from the cashier. Post sponsor is responsible for obtaining the trip tickets in advance of cashier closure and will be reimbursed by visitors on TOY. J. Embassy visitors are reminded to keep their passports with them at all times while in Saudi Arabia as they may be needed for identification. OBERWETTER UNCLASSIFIED Additional Addresses: SECSTATE WASHDC 5876 NSC WASHDC INFO AMEMBASSY BERN AMEMBASSY MADRID AMEMBASSY SANAA AMEMBASSY TUNIS AMCONSUL HAMBURG -PAGE 01

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@INFO: ADCP(OO) DSCC(OO) EAO(00) IRM(OO) M(00) P(00) SCT(00) SESIRM(OO) SESIRM(OO) ================ Q81400Z FEB 04 STePS (TOTAL COPIES:000) ACTION SCT-00 INFO LOG-00 CIAE-00 DS-00 EUR-00 UTED-00 TEDE-00 INR-00 JUSE-00 L-00 NEA-00 P-00 IRM-00 SSO-00 SS-00 TEST-00 SA-00 DSCC-00 CCR-00 SAS-00 /OOOW E8F8BA 081408Z/69 R071106ZFEB04 FM AMEMBASSY RIYADH TO FBI WASHINGTON DC SECSTATE WASHDC 5876 NSCWASHDC INFO AMEMBASSY BERN AMEMBASSY MADRID AMEMBASSY SANAA AMEMBASSY TUNIS AMCONSUL HAMBURG UNCLAS RIYADH 000638

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drivers, while, in the third case, also in 2002, the device failed to explode. There have been no reports of such bombings thus far in 2003. However, American citizens in Saudi Arabia should avoid leaving their vehicles unattended. If left unattended, the vehicle should be locked and a thorough inspection of the vehicle, both interior and exterior, should be made before the vehicle is driven. If unfamiliar objects are discovered attached to or in the vicinity of your vehicle leave the area and immediately notify authorities. Under no circumstances should you touch a suspicious object Additionally, over the last year, there have been several shootings targeting Westerners throughout Saudi Arabia. In the Spring of 2003, a British national was killed when he was hit by automatic rifle fire while stopped at a stoplight in Riyadh. In the most recent incident on July 16, a private American citizen residing in Riyadh was fired at while on the roof of his home adjusting his satellite antenna. These incidents argue strongly that U.S. citizens in Saudi Arabia should maintain a low profile, keep travel to a minimum, vary travel routes and times, and treat any mail from unfamiliar sources with suspicion. American citizens are also cautioned to remain alert and aware of their surroundings while driving or riding. Contact the Regional Security Officer (RSO) upon arrival for more information. C. Religion: Travelers should be aware that Islamic law is the foundation of the Kingdom's conservative customs and practices. The norms for public behavior are extremely conservative. D. Medical: The Department of State medical unit recommends vaccination against meningitis for all visitors to Saudi Arabia. All employees, including WAEs and Civil Service 'mployees, who are in TOY status for more than 60 days .cumulatively) in a calendar year are required to have up-to-date medical clearances from the Office of Medical Services at Class 1 or Class 2 levels in order to receive full State Department medical benefits (3 FAM 1931.3, c,e). E. Drugs: Saudi Arabia has strict penalties for violators of its narcotics laws. Prescription drugs in small quantities, clearly labeled, should cause no difficulties. Problems arise when they are in large quantities, unlabeled, lack documentation (such as a copy of the prescription), or when they are deemed illicit by Saudi authorities. Many drugs sold in nearby countries without a prescription are considered illegal in the Kingdom. Individuals may be arrested for possession of these drugs. F. Customs: Saudi Arabia completely outlaws the importation, sale or use of alcohol, pork or pornographic materials in the Kingdom. Visitors should not bring any alcoholic beverages, pork products or printed materials that may be construed as pornographic in their personal luggage. G. Dress: Men and women should dress in a conservative manner when in public. In particular men should wear pants and avoid shorts and sleeveless shirts. Women should dress conservatively. Dresses and skirts should be well below the knee with long sleeves and women should also avoid wearing trousers. H. The abayya: Embassy and Consulate women do not wear abayyas (black neck to ankle cover-up) when out on official smess, and women TOY visitors when on official business so should not expected to wear one. The guidance issued by the Saudi Embassy in Washington D.C.

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