From: "U.S. Dept of State Listserver" Subject: DOSTRAVEL Algeria Travel Warning 06/08/99 Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories Date: Thu, 10 Jun 1999 20:19:12 GMT Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die Reply-To: "U.S. Dept of State Listserver" Xref: world wstd.travel.advisories:2243 Path: world!bzs Sender: US Dept of State Travel Warnings Message-ID: <199906102020.PAA50840@piglet.cc.uic.edu> Approved: usenet@world.std.com Distribution: wstd Comments: To: dostravel@uic.edu Lines: 184 Algeria - Travel Warning June 8, 1999 Warning: The United States Department of State warns U.S. citizens to evaluate carefully the implications for their security and safety before deciding to travel to Algeria. Although the level of terrorist incidents in Algeria is lower than in recent years, unpredictable attacks continue to occur in crowded urban areas, in rural villages and roadsides, and on public transport. For those Americans who decide to travel to Algeria despite this warning, the Department urges maximum caution, including the following measures: minimize use of regularly scheduled commercial flights, be met and accompanied by pre-arranged local contacts upon arrival and departure at airports, and have armed protection while traveling overland. Nighttime travel outside the central urban areas should be strictly avoided. Visitors to the capital of Algiers should reside only in one of the several large, internationally recognized hotels where security is provided. U.S. citizens should not travel or walk anywhere in Algeria unless accompanied by a known Algerian companion. This measure applies to walking the streets of Algiers and other cities. U.S. Embassy personnel take all of these precautions. Most recent terrorist activity has occurred in northern Algeria. U.S. oil companies operating in the desert region south of the Saharan Atlas Mountains have experienced no attacks in the past year. The Algerian government and the companies themselves take the maximum security precautions, including the measures described above, to ensure safety in the oil-producing region. For further information on travel to Algeria, please consult the Department of State9s latest Consular Information Sheet on Algeria. This replaces the Travel Warning dated May 1, 1998 to address the changing security conditions in Algeria. Algeria - Consular Information Sheet June 16, 1998 WARNING: The United States Department of State warns U.S. citizens to avoid travel to Algeria. Terrorists have attacked ports, trains, and airports. The level of risk for foreigners is extremely high. For Americans who decide to be in Algeria despite this warning, the Department urges that they exercise maximum caution, including the following measures: Avoid use of regularly-scheduled commercial flights; be met or accompanied by armed guards upon arrival or departure at airports; and have substantial armed protection while traveling overland, at work sites, and at accommodations. U.S. Embassy personnel take these precautions. Most terrorist attacks in Algeria have been concentrated in the north of the country. There have been fewer terrorist incidents in the desert region south of the Saharan Atlas mountains. U.S. oil companies operating in this region have experienced no recent attacks. These companies nonetheless practice the maximum security measures described above. COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: Algeria is a republic with a developing economy. Facilities for travelers are widely available, but sometimes limited in quality. The workweek in Algeria is Saturday through Wednesday. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: Passports and visas are required for U.S. citizens traveling to Algeria. Algerian embassies may not give visas to persons whose passports indicate travel to Israel. For more information concerning entry requirements, travelers may contact the Embassy of the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria at 2137 Wyoming Avenue N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, telephone (202) 265-2800. AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: As there is no direct commercial air service at present, nor economic authority to operate such service, between the U.S. and Algeria, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed Algeria9s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with international aviation safety standards for oversight of Algeria9s air carrier operations. For further information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation within the U.S. at telephone 1-800-322- 7873, or visit the FAA Internet Home Page at http://www.faa.gov/avr/iasa.htm. The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) separately assesses some foreign air carriers for suitability as official providers of air services. For information regarding the DOD policy on specific carriers, travelers may contact the Pentagon at telephone 1-703-697-7288. AREAS OF INSTABILITY: Political, social, and economic problems have created an environment in which acts of terrorism are regularly perpetrated. A state of emergency has been in effect since early 1992. Since September 1993, terrorist actions against foreigners have resulted in the deaths of more than 120 foreigners. Thousands of Algerians from all walks of life and classes of Algerian society, including women and children and retirees, have been and continue to be viciously assassinated. Car bombings, shoot-outs between government forces and armed groups, and other violence often occur. In the localities in which large number of American expatriates reside, Algerian military and other security personnel offer generally adequate protection, but in many other localities, especially in remote hamlets and the poorer sections of urban areas, protection is not assured. Although the Government of Algeria has discontinued a late-night curfew in the central area around Algiers, it continues to maintain roadblocks at many major intersections. Security personnel at roadblocks and intersections expect full cooperation. In response, terrorist groups occasionally put up false roadblocks as ambushes. Banditry and assault involving foreigners often occur in the far southern region of Algeria near the border with Niger. Bandits have robbed, assaulted, kidnapped, and killed travelers in Algeria south of Tamanrasset. Travel overland is treacherous in many parts of Algeria. The Department of State recommends that American citizens in Algeria have substantial armed protection while traveling overland, on their work sites, and at their accommodations. TERRORIST ACTIVITIES: Slightly more than 120 foreigners have been kidnapped and murdered in Algeria since September 1993, sometimes in assaults involving dozens of attackers. For example, in 1996, a group of seven Catholic monks (none U.S. citizens) residing some 300 miles southwest of Algiers were taken hostage and decapitated by a group of terrorists with whom the monks had had previous peaceful contact. Terrorists have threatened to kill all foreigners who do not leave Algeria. In response to these threats, the U.S. Government has substantially reduced the number of U.S. Government personnel in Algeria. Dependents of U.S. Government personnel may not accompany employees to Algeria. An Air France flight was hijacked at Algiers Airport on December 24, 1994, by heavily armed terrorists who threatened to blow up the aircraft. The U.S. Embassy at Algiers has specifically identified ports, trains, and airline terminals as terrorist targets and warns against traveling on regularly scheduled commercial transport. U.S. Embassy personnel have suspended their use of regularly scheduled commercial flights. MEDICAL FACILITIES: Hospitals and clinics in Algeria are available, but of doubtful quality. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for services. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. Supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage, including provisions for medical evacuation, has proven useful. For further information, travelers can contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's international travelers hotline at 1-877-394-8747, or their autofax service at 1-888-232-3299, or their Internet site at http://www.cdc.gov. INFORMATION ON CRIME: The crime rate in Algeria is moderately high, and is increasing. Serious crimes have been reported in which armed men posing as police officers have entered homes of occupants, held them at gunpoint, and robbed them. Armed carjacking is also a serious problem. Petty theft and home burglary occur frequently. Theft of contents and parts from parked cars, pickpocketing, theft on trains and buses, theft of anything left in a hotel room, and purse snatching are common. Most residences of foreigners are protected by alarms, grills, watchdogs, and/or guards. The loss or theft of a U.S. passport abroad should be reported to local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Useful information on safeguarding valuables, protecting personal security, and other matters while traveling abroad is provided in the Department of State pamphlets, "A Safe Trip Abroad" and "Tips for Travelers to the Middle East and North Africa." They are available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402. CURRENCY REGULATIONS: Travelers checks and credit cards are acceptable in only a few establishments in urban areas. The Government of Algeria requires all foreigners entering the country to exchange $200 into local currency. Documentary proof of legal exchange of currency is needed when departing Algeria. DRUG PENALTIES: U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the country in which they are traveling. Penalties for possession, use, or dealing in illegal drugs in Algeria are severe, and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and fines. EMBASSY LOCATION/REGISTRATION: The U.S. Embassy in Algeria is located at 4 Chemin Cheikh Bachir El-Ibrahimi, B.P. 549 (Alger-gare) 16000, in the capital city of Algiers. The telephone number is (213)(2) 691- 425/255/186. The fax number for the U.S. Embassy is (213)(2) 69-39-79. The former U.S. Consulate in Oran is closed. U.S. citizens are encouraged to register and obtain current information on travel and security within Algeria at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy. They also may register with the Embassy's emergency alert network. This replaces the Consular Information Sheet issued August 27, 1997, to update the travel warning and aviation safety oversight sections.