Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories From: 76702.1202@CompuServe.COM (Wally Doerge) Subject: NEW TRAVEL INFO -- Azerbaijan Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die Distribution: wstd Date: Wed, 23 Jun 1993 15:33:23 GMT STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Azerbaijan ============================================================ Travel Warning - Azerbaijan June 15, 1993 The Department of State warns U.S. citizens not to travel to Azerbaijan because of internal conflicts. The Under Secretary for Management has ordered the departure of all U.S. Embassy dependents. The Department of State further recommends that U.S. citizens currently in Baku depart the country as soon as possible. U.S. citizens in Baku may contact the U.S. Embassy for assistance in leaving Azerbaijan. The U.S. Embassy in Baku, Azerbaijan is located at 83 Azadling. If calling from within the country, the telephone number is 96-00-19. No. 93-025 This replaces the Travel Warning dated June 12, 1993 to reflect the ordered departure of U.S. Embassy dependents and recommends that U.S. citizens depart Azerbaijan as soon as possible. Consular Information Sheet - Azerbaijan June 22, 1993 Warning: The Department of State warns U.S. citizens not to travel to Azerbaijan because of internal conflicts. The Under Secretary for Management has ordered the departure of all U.S. Embassy dependents. The Department of State further recommends that U.S. citizens currently in Baku depart the country as soon as possible. U.S. citizens in Baku may contact the U.S. Embassy for assistance in leaving Azerbaijan. Country Description: Azerbaijan is a nation undergoing profound political and economic change. An insurgency has increased the likelihood of street demonstrations or even armed clashes on various parts of the country. Moreover, tourist facilities are not highly developed, and many of the goods and services taken for granted in other countries are not yet available. Entry Requirements: A passport and visa are required. Travelers without a visa cannot register at hotels and may be required to leave the country immediately via the route by which they entered. Visas for Azerbaijan are issued by a Russian embassy or consulate. U.S. citizens can contact the Russian Embassy, Consular Division, 1825 Phelps Place, NW, Washington DC 20008, telephone (202) 939-8907, 8911, 8913, 8918 or the Russian Consulates in San Francisco, New York, or Seattle for current information on visa requirements. Areas of Instability: Armed conflict is taking place in and around the Armenian-populated area of Nagorno-Karabakh located in Azerbaijan and along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. Fighting continues on a daily basis, and front lines change frequently. Travel to this area is risky. An armed rebellion against the central government has created great instability throughout the country. Azerbaijan's President declared a state of emergency on April 2, 1993, and imposed a midnight to five a.m. curfew on all Azerbaijan cities. The curfew may change without notice. Medical Facilities: Medical care in Azerbaijan is limited. The U.S. Embassy maintains a list of English speaking physicians in the area. There is a severe shortage of basic medical supplies, including disposable needles, anesthetics, and antibiotics. Elderly travelers and those with existing health problems may be at risk due to inadequate medical facilities. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. Travelers have found that in some cases, supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage has proved to be useful. Further information on health matters can be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control's international travelers hotline, tel. (404) 332-4559. Crime Information: Azerbaijan has a low rate of violent crime, but there has been a recent increase in street crime especially at night. The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. The Department of State's pamphlet "A Safe Trip Abroad" provides useful information on guarding valuables and protecting personal security while traveling abroad. Additional information on the region can be found in the brochure "Tips for Travelers to Russia." Both publications are available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington DC 20402. Currency Regulations: Azerbaijan is a cash only economy. Travelers checks and credit cards are not accepted. 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. Registration: Americans who register at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy may obtain updated information on travel and security within Azerbaijan. Embassy Location: The U.S. Embassy in Baku, Azerbaijan, is located at 83 Azadlig. If calling from outside Azerbaijan the telephone number is (7-8922) 96-09-85. If calling from within the country, the telephone number is 96-00-19. No. 93-166 This replaces the Consular Information Sheet for Azerbaijan dated April 29, 1993, to reflect the issuance of a Travel Warning advising U.S. citizens not to travel to Azerbaijan and recommending that U.S. citizens in Azerbaijan depart as soon as possible.