Azerbaijan Calling Card
US Department Of State Post Report
Some banks and major hotels accept travelers checks and major credit cards. However, because of heavy fraud and counterfeiting activities, it is not recommended that you use your credit cards in Georgia. Outside of Tbilisi, cash is king. The Embassy cashier handles check cashing (up to $500/day), accepts payment of residential and personal phone bills, and performs accommodation exchange. Competitive rates are also available throughout town. Taxes, Exchange, and Sale of PropertyLast Updated: 3/23/2004 3:36 PM Laws governing the sale of property by diplomats to local nationals require that the nondiplomatic buyer pay duty based on the value of the goods at time of import. All diplomatic, consular, and administrative and technical staff are exempt from all local taxes. Some vendors dis ... [Read More]
U.S. Senator John McCain Speech At Trinity College Dublin - U. S. Embassy Dublin, Ireland
Nowhere on the continent is this as important today as in Russia, where President Vladimir Putin rules as an autocrat. I have described as a ‘creeping coup’ his efforts to use the Chechen war to roll back the democratic gains Russia won in the 1990s. In recent months I’ve had to start calling this a ‘galloping coup.’ Mr. Putin has moved to eliminate the popular election of Russia’s 89 regional governors, and instead appoint them himself, and to eliminate independent members of parliament, so that Russians would vote not for specific candidates but rather for political parties -- the candidates of which would be chosen by party heads, like Mr. Putin. His crackdowns on independent media continue, as does the repression of business executives who oppose the President. Mr. Putin is reasserting the Kremlin’s old--style central control. Russia continues to interfere in so-called frozen conflicts in regions of Georgia, Moldova, and Azerbaijan, and maintains troops deployed ... [Read More]
US and Coalition 2001
The UN Security Council approved a resolution calling on all parties in Afghanistan to attend a conference to settle the country's future, urging member states to provide humanitarian aid, and calling for a central role for the UN in the reconstruction process. The UN also authorized member states to provide peacekeeping forces. ... In Britain, Prime Minister Blair addressed the Welsh National Assembly in Cardiff, called the anti-terrorism campaign "a principled conflict," and pledged to use all possible means. Admiral Sir Michael Boyce, Chief of the British Defense Staff, said that the conflict might last three or four years. Brigadier Roger Lane of the Royal Marines recommended that his forces not be sent to Afghanistan until they received additional training and intelligence. ... [Read More]
Georgia
While the Georgian lari is the only legal tender, dollars can be freely exchanged for laris at market rates. ATM machines are also becoming more widespread, but only within the city of Tbilisi. Credit cards are rarely accepted outside of upscale hotels and restaurants, and travelers’ checks are difficult to cash. Incidents of credit card fraud and identity theft have been reported by American citizens in Georgia. ... [Read More]
US Department Of State Post Report
At agency discretion, those Embassy extensions may also be given access to the international voice Geteway(IVG) which can be used for official calls to the US and other US embassies. After 7 PM daily , mission extensions with IVG access may also be used to access US-based lines so that personal calls can be charged to your personal calling card (ATT,Sprint, MCI etc.) at domestic U.S long distance rates. ... The health unit is housed in the US Embassy. The unit can provide advanced first aid for most medical emergencies, including stabilization after heart attack. There is a physician who maintains visiting hours at the embassy, who is also on call twenty-four hours a day. The doctor, a noted cardiologist, has post-graduate American training and speaks English. ... [Read More]
Afghanistan
Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States, or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). ... SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: Because of the poor infrastructure in Afghanistan, access to banking facilities is extremely limited and unreliable. Afghanistan's economy operates on a "cash-only" basis for most transactions. Credit card transactions are not available. International bank transfers are very limited, as the banking system is just becoming operational. One ATM machine exists at Standard Charter Bank in the Wazir Akbar Khan neighborhood of Kabul, but some travelers have complained of difficulties using it. ... [Read More]
Department of State Washington File: Text: U.S. on Freedom of Belief to OSCE "Human Dimension" Review
The U.S. welcomes the decision by the Greek government to remove religious designations from the national identity card. We call on all OSCE nations which continue to include potentially discriminatory data on their national ID cards to take a similar step. ... We commend President Aliyev for his strong policy statement in late 1999 calling for full recognition of religious freedom in Azerbaijan and urge all levels of government to fully implement this policy. We look forward to seeing the outcome of the upcoming experts' conference in Baku, which we hope will bring the law on religion into line with Azerbaijan's stated policy. ... [Read More]
US Department Of State Post Report
Baku’s telephone system is modernizing, and mobile telephones have become popular and widespread throughout the country. Telephone credit cards are not used in Azerbaijan, but with U.S. calling cards it is easy to place direct calls to the U.S. via access numbers. ... Printed business cards are readily available in Baku in English, Azeri, and Russian. A hundred business cards can cost $35 and could be printed in 24 hours. ... Azerbaijan does not distinguish between categories of Embassy personnel for customs purposes. Each direct-hire employee is entitled to duty-free entry of personal effects, consumables, and one automobile. No restrictions are placed on the age, color, or make of automobiles. The Embassy assists in registering vehicles. A valid U.S. driver’s license and the locally obtained diplomatic identity card are sufficient for driving in Baku. Third party car insurance is mandatory and available locally. Comprehensive insurance is cheaper if purchased in the U.S. ... [Read More]
Azerbaijan
During the year, a total of three POWs were released, one from Azerbaijan and two from Armenia.The law prohibits forced exile, and the Government did not employ it. e. Denial of a Fair and Public Trial The Constitution provides for an independent judiciary; however, in practice, judges did not function independently of the executive branch, and the judiciary was widely believed to be corrupt and inefficient. Judges preside over and direct trials. The President appoints Supreme and Constitutional Court judges, whom Parliament confirms. The President appoints lower-level judges without confirmation. Qualifying exams for judges were administered periodically as part of a judicial reform effort; however, credible allegations persisted that judgeships were bought and sold. Low salaries for judges and lawyers increased the incentives for bribe taking and ... [Read More]
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