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, 14 Jul 1993 16:59:16 GMT STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Azerbaijan ============================================================ Azerbaijan - Consular Information Sheet July 14, 1993 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 in 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 Azerbaijani 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. 93-203 This replaces the Consular Information Sheet for Azerbaijan dated June 22, 1993, to reflect the cancellation of the Travel Warning.