Xref: world wstd.travel.advisories:723 Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories Path: world!daemon From: Wally Doerge <76702.1202@compuserve.com> Subject: NEW TRAVEL INFO -- Angola Message-ID: <950426195533_76702.1202_CHN59-1@CompuServe.COM> Precedence: bulk Sender: daemon@world.std.com (daemons) Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die Distribution: wstd Date: Wed, 26 Apr 1995 19:55:33 GMT Approved: usenet@world.std.com Lines: 128 STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Angola ============================================================ Angola - Travel Warning April 25, 1995 U.S. citizens are warned against travel to Angola because of continued unsettled conditions and political-military instability. Travel within Angola remains unsafe due to the presence of undisciplined armed troops, unexploded landmines, hostile actions against aircraft and widespread banditry. Additional information can be found in the Department of State's Consular Information Sheet on Angola. This replaces the Travel Warning dated July 22, 1994, to update information on the security situation in Angola. Angola - Consular Information Sheet April 25, 1995 Warning: U.S. citizens are warned against travel to Angola because of continued unsettled conditions and political-military instability. Travel within Angola remains unsafe due to the presence of undisciplined armed troops, unexploded landmines, hostile actions against aircraft and widespread banditry. Country Description: Angola is a large, developing African country which has been engulfed in war and civil strife since independence >from Portugal in 1975. A peace accord signed in November 1994 may bring an end to Angola's civil war. However, unstable political-military conditions continue to make travel to and within Angola unsafe. Facilities for tourism are virtually non-existent. In addition, there are severe shortages of lodging, transportation, food, water and utilities in Luanda and other cities. Shortages result in a lack of sanitary conditions in many areas, including Luanda. Entry Requirements: Passports and visas are required for travel to Angola. Persons arriving without visas are subject to possible arrest or deportation. Evidence of yellow fever vaccination may also be required to depart the country. Further information on entry requirements, may be obtained from the Embassy of the Republic of Angola at 1899 L Street, N.W., Suite 500, Washington, D.C. 20036, (202) 785-1156. Areas of Instability: Despite recent positive developments, the security situation in Angola remains extremely volatile. Travel in the interior is unsafe because of the presence of armed troops, sporadic armed clashes, occasional hostile actions against aircraft, and other minor cease-fire violations. Most destinations in the interior are accessible only by air. Civilians have recently been injured and killed by landmines exploding on roads and in bandit attacks. Overland routes to neighboring countries are generally not open. Crime Information: Armed and violent crime occurs throughout Angola. Street crime is common in all areas of Luanda, at all hours. Foreigners, including U.S. citizens, have been the targets of violent robberies in their homes. City streets are patrolled by police and soldiers who normally carry automatic weapons. They are unpredictable and their authority should not be challenged. Police checkpoints after dark also contribute to unsafe nighttime travel. Travel within Luanda is becoming more dangerous, particularly at night, because of the increased incidence of armed robberies and carjackings. The U.S. Embassy cautions against airport arrivals after dark because of a series of evening carjackings perpetrated against foreigners enroute from the airport. The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported to local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. The pamphlets "A Safe Trip Abroad" and "Tips For Travelers to Sub-Saharan Africa" provide useful information on protecting personal security while traveling abroad and on travel in the region in general. Both are available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., 20402. Medical Facilities: Adequate medical facilities are virtually non-existent throughout Angola, and most medicine is not available. Chloroquine-resistant and cerebral malaria are endemic to the region. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid or accepted outside the United States. The Medicare/Medicaid program does not provide for payment of medical services outside the United States. In some cases, supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas and medical evacuation coverage has proven useful. For additional health information, travelers can contact the Centers for Disease Control's international travelers hotline (404) 332-4559. Currency Restrictions: U.S. dollars can be converted to local currency at exchange houses authorized by the Angolan government. Large denominations of U.S. currency may not be widely accepted. Currency conversions on the parallel (black) market are illegal and participants may be subject to arrest. Drug Penalties: U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the country in which they are traveling. Penalties for possession, use or trafficking in illegal drugs are strict and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and fines. Embassy Location/Registration: U.S. citizens may obtain updated information on travel and security in Angola and register at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy located downtown at Casa Inglesa, First Floor, Rua Major Kahangulo No. 132/136, Luanda, telephone (244-2) 39-69-27; fax (244-2) 39-05-15. The U.S. Embassy is located on Rua Houari Boumedienne in the Miramar area of Luanda, P.O. Box 6468, telephone (244-2) 34-54-81 (24-hour number); fax (244-2) 34-78-84. No. 95-054 This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated August 1, 1994, to update the Travel Warning, country description, entry requirements, areas of instability and crime information and to include information on U.S. currency usage in Angola. ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- The "travel-advisories@stolaf.edu" mailing list is the official Internet and BITNET distribution point for the U.S. State Department Travel Warnings and Consular Information Sheets. To unsubscribe, send a message containing the word "unsubscribe" to: travel-advisories-request@stolaf.edu Archives of past "travel-advisories" postings are available at the URL: "http://www.stolaf.edu/network/travel-advisories.html" or via Gopher: gopher.stolaf.edu, Internet Resources/US-State-Department-Travel-Advisories