SPAIN COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR NIH/FIC DR. ALLEN MINTON

UNCLASSIFIED UNCLAS MADRID 003155 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: TBIO, OTRA, SP, Country Visits SUBJECT: SPAIN COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR NIH/FIC DR. ALLEN MINTON REF: SECSTATE 173671 1. Embassy welcomes and grants country clearance to Dr. Allen Minton, Senior Investigator, Laboratory of Biochemistry and Genetics, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, NIH to travel to Madrid, August 30-September 12 to discuss projects of common interest with Dr. German Rivas of Centro de Investigaciones Biologicas. 2. Embassy understands that no assistance is necessary. 3. Visitors are reminded that bearers of diplomatic and official passports coming to Spain on official business need to obtain a Spanish visa prior to arrival in Spain. 4. THREAT ASSESSMENT: In general, Spain is safe. However, Madrid, Barcelona and other large cities in Spain -- including resort/convention areas such as Benidorm -- attract a large number of criminals and pickpockets and frequent incidents of crime of opportunity against the unwary do occur. Carry only essential items including a photocopy of your passport's photo page. Visitors can protect themselves against crime by being street-smart, alert and aware of their surroundings. In the event you are victimized by crime, or experience any security-related incident, please contact the Embassy's Regional Security Office at 91-587-2550 or after hours at 91-587-2355. Official visitors to the Embassy in Madrid or the Consulate General in Barcelona are encouraged to receive a security briefing from the RSO office at their earliest convenience. Additional information regarding safety and security in Spain is available on the U.S. Department of State's website (http://www.state.gov) and the U.S. Embassy's website (www.embusa.es). Travelers are encouraged to review the most recent Worldwide Caution issued by the Department of State. As the Department of State continues to develop information on any potential security threats to Americans overseas, it shares credible threat information through its Consular Information Program documents, available on the Internet at http://travel/state.gov. In addition to information on the Internet, U.S. travelers can hear recorded information by calling the Department of State in Washington, D.C. at 202-647-5225 from their touch-tone telephone, or receive information by automated telefax by dialing 202-647-3000 from their fax machine. MANZANARES