Xref: world wstd.travel.advisories:880 Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories Path: world!cutter From: Wally Doerge <76702.1202@compuserve.com> Subject: NEW TRAVEL INFO -- Belgium Message-ID: <951115161452_76702.1202_CHN24-1@CompuServe.COM> Precedence: bulk Sender: cutter@world.std.com (daemons) Organization: The World Public Access UNIX, Brookline, MA Distribution: wstd Date: Wed, 15 Nov 1995 16:14:53 GMT Approved: usenet@world.std.com Lines: 74 STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Belgium ============================================================ Belgium - Consular Information Sheet November 13, 1995 Country Description: Belgium is a highly developed and stable democracy with a modern economy. Tourist facilities are widely available. Entry Requirements: For information on entry requirements, contact the Embassy of Belgium at 3330 Garfield Street N.W., Washington D.C. 20008, tel. (202) 333-6900, or the Consulate General in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, or New York. Medical Information: Medical facilities are widely available. 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, including provision for medical evacuation, has proved to be useful. Information on specific health matters is available through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's hotline for international travelers at (404) 332-4559. Crime Information: Belgium has a relatively low crime rate in most regions, but U.S. citizens visiting major cities can become targets for pickpockets and purse snatchers, especially while traveling by metro (subway) and at tourist attractions. Theft of and from vehicles is the most common crime in Belgium, and the usual precautions apply. Crime victims themselves must make the report to the police in the district where the crime occurred, as third party notification of a crime is not accepted. As the police have a high recovery rate for stolen property, victims are encouraged to report all crimes. Belgian law requires that everyone carry some form of official identification with them at all times which must be displayed upon request to any police official. A U.S. passport suffices, and police are almost always satisfied if they see a photocopy of the photo page of the passport. 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. U.S. citizens can refer to the Department of State's pamphlet "A Safe Trip Abroad" for ways to promote a more trouble-free journey. The pamphlet is available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington D.C. 20402. Drug Penalties: U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the country in which they are traveling. In Belgium, the penalties for possession, use, or dealing in illegal drugs are strict, and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and fines. Registration and Embassy location: U.S. citizens who reside in Belgium can register with the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy. The section has available updated information on travel and security in Belgium. The U.S. Embassy in Brussels is located at 27 Boulevard du Regent, telephone (32-2) 508-2111. No. 95-139 This replaces the Consular Information Sheet issued May 19, 1994 to show the U.S. Embassy's new telephone number. ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- 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