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 TuellerMH@state.gov. 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:
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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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