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### Viewing cable 06SANJOSE826, COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR MARIA SOSA

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Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
06SANJOSE826 | 2006-04-19 22:21 | 2011-03-03 16:00 | UNCLASSIFIED | Embassy San Jose

Appears in these articles:
http://www.nacion.com/2011-03-03/Investigacion/NotasDestacadas/Investigacion2697430.aspx
http://www.nacion.com/2011-03-03/Investigacion/NotaPrincipal/Investigacion2697496.aspx
http://www.nacion.com/2011-03-03/Investigacion/NotasSecundarias/Investigacion2697489.aspx
http://www.nacion.com/2011-03-03/Investigacion/NotasSecundarias/Investigacion2697532.aspx
http://www.nacion.com/2011-03-03/Investigacion/NotasSecundarias/Investigacion2697535.aspx
http://www.nacion.com/2011-03-03/Investigacion/NotasSecundarias/Investigacion2701964.aspx
http://www.nacion.com/2011-03-03/Investigacion/Relacionados/Investigacion2701965.aspx

`

    VZCZCXYZ0005
    RR RUEHWEB

    DE RUEHSJ #0826/01 1092221
    ZNR UUUUU ZZH
    R 192221Z APR 06
    FM AMEMBASSY SAN JOSE
    TO RUEHSN/AMEMBASSY SAN SALVADOR 3897
    INFO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4767

` `

    UNCLAS SAN JOSE 000826

    SIPDIS

    SIPDIS

    E.O. 12958: N/A
    TAGS: EAID OTRA CS
    SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR MARIA SOSA

    REF: SAN SALVADOR 970

    ¶1. Embassy San Jose is pleased to grant country clearance to
    contractor Maria Sosa from Booz Allen Hamilton who will be in
    Costa Rica on assignment from April 26 to April 29.  The
    purpose of this visit is to attend a regional Customs
    Directors Meeting.

    ¶2. Post understands assistance is not necessary.  Maria
    Villanueva, Economic Assistant, is the assigned Control
    Officer and she can be reached at Embassy number
    (506)519-2418.  The Embassy after-hours emergency phone
    number is (506)220-3127.

    ¶3. Upon arrival in country all TDY visitors are to make
    contact with their Embassy Control Officer for information
    regarding a security briefing.

    ¶4. Accommodations:  Post understands visitor will make their
    own hotel reservations.  The perdiem rate for San Jose is
    $104 for lodging, and $67 M&IE.  Post will send confirmation
    number by email.  Please be advised that hotels in San Jose
    require a minimum notice of 72 hours if canceling or changing
    reservations.  Travelers must notify the hotel or Embassy 72
    hours in advance if schedule changes.  Hotels will assess a
    one-day charge if they do not receive advance notice of
    cancellation or changes.  Prior to arrival travelers are to
    provide the RSO office the required information for TDY
    registration/emergency contact, which is hotel and/or point
    of contact information.

    ¶5. Transportation: The only taxis available at the airport
    are the Taxi Aeropuerto orange taxis found outside the
    arrival hall.  Tickets for the orange taxis are sold at a
    ticket booth located immediately outside the arrival hall
    exit doors.  Fares (payable in U.S. dollars or local
    currency) vary according to destination but the cost of a
    standard orange taxi ticket to the Embassy is $12, to the
    Intercontinental Hotel is $14 and to downtown San Jose is
    $12.  Vans are also available at increased cost.  If you miss
    the ticket counter or otherwise need assistance with orange
    taxi service, the company has an individual posted curbside
    from where the orange taxis are dispatched.  Taxi Aeropuerto
    also offers pick-up service and transportation to the airport
    for departing passengers.  Reservations can be made 24 hours
    a day by phoning (506)221-6865.

    Elsewhere in San Jose, licensed taxis are considered safe
    when using standard security precautions.  Licensed taxis
    have a yellow triangle on the door, an identification number,
    a taxi light on the roof of the car, and generally have
    working meters.  Ask if the meter is functioning before
    entering the cab.  If the meter is not functioning, the cost
    of the fares should be negotiated prior to entering the cab.
    Licensed taxis are also easily obtainable from hotels.

    Unlicensed cabs come in all shapes and sizes and should be
    avoided.

    ¶6. Public Affairs:  Please note that the Public Affairs
    Office is the Embassy's designated point of contact with the
    press.  If visitors have been scheduled for press events by
    local partner organizations or others, please inform the
    Embassy's Public Affairs Office.  Should   visitors be
    approached by the press with questions or a request for an
    interview, they should refer the press to the Embassy Public
    Affairs Office.  In short, post requests that visitors not
    speak with the press before consulting with the Public
    Affairs office and they can be reached at 506/519-2441.

    ¶7. Travel documents/Threat assessment/Local conditions: All
    official visitors must travel with passports, preferably
    official or diplomatic.  Without a valid passport, a visitor
    lacks official status in the eyes of the Costa Rican
    Government.  However, no repeat no visa is necessary.

    During this time of heightened security alerts, all travelers
    should consult the Department's website for the latest public
    announcements or other safety notices at www.usembassy.or.cr
    or www.usembassy.or.cr/osac.html.

    Costa Rica is currently rated as a "high" crime threat post.
    The increasing use of violence during the commission of a
    street crime is a threat to all visitors.  Travelers are
    urged to exercise caution, as in any large city.  Local law
    enforcement agencies do not act according to U.S. standards
    and have limited capabilities.  Jewelry should not be worn on
    the streets.  Large amounts of cash should not be displayed.
    The downtown area of San Jose should be avoided at night
    because of the increase of criminal activity that occurs in
    this area.

    Credit card fraud and credit card "number skimming" is a
    rapidly growing crime.  Visitors should avoid using debit
    cards for point-of-sale purchases, as a skimmed number can be
    used to clean out an account.  Visitors should check their
    credit card accounts frequently.

    Visitors are advised to avoid unofficial moneychangers who
    may offer better rates but who often trade in counterfeit
    currency.  The present rate of exchange is approximately 504
    Costa Rican colones to one dollar.  Accommodation exchange is
    available at a comparable rate at the airport.

    Visitors should exercise caution if they will be driving in
    Costa Rica.  The combination of poor road conditions, erratic
    driving, and pedestrian and animal traffic on the roads make
    driving very treacherous.  Costa Rica has one of the highest
    accident rates per automobile in the world.  The Embassy
    strongly recommends against driving outside of the San Jose
    area at night.  Vehicles should not be left unattended or
    packages left visible inside them.

    Costa Rica is an earthquake zone and periodically experiences
    significant tremors.

    Visitors should be careful not to eat peanuts or products
    made from peanuts grown in Costa Rica because they may harbor
    aflatoxin, which is suspected in the causation of liver
    cancer.

    ¶8. Please note: Effective January 1, 2005, all American
    personnel traveling to post for a TDY of 30 days or more will
    need to certify in the country clearance request that they
    have completed mandatory overseas personal security training
    as outlined in State cable 66580, dated 25 March 2004.

    ¶9. Please be advised that State Department regulations
    prohibit installation or use of privately-owned computers in
    any State Department building.  Visitors must notify the
    Regional Security Office in advance if they intend to use
    U.S. Government-owned portable computers in the Chancery.
    FRISBIE

`