From: owner-travel-advisories Subject: NEW TRAVEL INFO -- Burma Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories Date: Fri, 28 Aug 1998 13:55:54 GMT Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die Xref: world wstd.travel.advisories:1885 Path: world!bzs Message-ID: <199808280958_MC2-57A3-F730@compuserve.com> Sender: "U.S. Department of State" <76702.1202@compuserve.com> Approved: usenet@world.std.com Distribution: wstd Precedence: bulk Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-List-Info: LN=travel-advisories WHOM=76702.1202@compuserve.com Content-Disposition: inline Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Mime-Version: 1.0 Lines: 195 STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Burma ============================================================ Burma (Myanmar) - Public Announcement August 27, 1998 Recent political turmoil in Burma, including small-scale demonstrations on August 24, lead us to believe that the possibility of further disturbances or unrest cannot be discounted. U.S. citizens should stay alert and take precautions to avoid being caught up in any confrontations that may occur. Six Americans and 12 other foreign nationals were recently tried and convicted by a Burmese court on charges of spreading false news by allegedly distributing political literature. All were sentenced to five years in prison at hard labor. The sentences were then suspended by the court and all were deported. The Government of Burma has informed the governments of those involved that anyone who performs similar acts in the future will be subject to imprisonment. American tourists have reported being stopped, searched and questioned about their activities in Burma. Travelers are urged to take these factors into consideration in connection with any plans to visit Burma in the coming weeks. The U.S. Embassy in Rangoon advises American citizens to exercise caution and to avoid large crowds or demonstrations. All American citizens traveling to or residing in Burma are strongly advised to stay in contact with the Embassy's consular section at (95-1) 282-055 or (95-1) 282-056, extension 320. This Public Announcement supersedes the Public Announcement dated August 12, 1998 and expires October 31, 1998. Burma (Myanmar) - Consular Information Sheet May 6, 1998 Country Description: Burma (Myanmar) is a developing, agrarian country ruled by a military regime. The capital city is Rangoon. The country, which experienced major political unrest in 1988, has begun to open to tourism in recent years after a long period of isolation. Tourist facilities in Rangoon and Mandalay are adequate, but are very limited in most of the rest of the country. Ethnic insurgencies persist in some remote border areas. The country's political situation is relatively volatile, and extensive student unrest occurred in 1996. Entry Requirements: Travel to and within Burma is strictly controlled by the government of Burma. A passport and visa are required. Tourist visas are issued for package/group tours as well as to foreign individual tourists ("FITS") for stays up to four weeks. "FITS" must exchange a minimum of $300 (U.S.) for dollar-denominated foreign exchange certificates (FEC) upon arrival. Information about entry requirements as well as other information may be obtained from the Embassy of the Union of Myanmar, 2300 S Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, telephone 202-332-9044/6, or the Permanent Mission of Myanmar to the U.N., 10 East 77th St., New York, N.Y. 10021, telephone (212-535-1311). Overseas inquiries may be made at the nearest embassy or consulate of Burma (Myanmar). Areas of Instability: Burma experienced major student demonstrations in late 1996. Although the political situation remains relatively volatile, and popular unrest and violence are possible, there has not been any similar unrest since that time. U.S. citizens traveling in Burma should exercise caution and check with the U.S. Embassy for an update on the current situation. U.S. citizens are encouraged to carry their U.S. passports or photocopies of passport data and photo pages at all times so that, if questioned by Burmese officials, proof of U.S. citizenship is readily available. Travel to the main tourist areas of Pagan, Inle Lake and the Mandalay area is routine. Travel to nearly all other parts of Burma is permitted, although transportation is difficult. Those planning to travel to more remote areas should contact the U.S. Embassy in Rangoon or Burmese tourism authorities to ensure that they can travel to their intended destination. Some people traveling to places where permission is not expressly required have reported delays due to questioning by local security personnel; others report being able to travel freely. In December 1996, two bomb explosions occurred at the Kaba Aye Pagoda in Rangoon. The Thai-Burma border area in Southern Shan State has been the scene of occasional fighting between government forces and various insurgent groups. Given the potential for fighting, crossing the border anywhere in this region may be dangerous. Travelers are encouraged to obtain updated information from the U.S. Embassy in Rangoon. Medical Facilities: Hospital and medical services are available in Rangoon; elsewhere, medical care is limited. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. Supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage, including provision for medical evacuation, may prove useful. The Medicare/Medicaid program does not provide payment for medical services outside the United States. Helpful information on medical emergencies abroad is provided in the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs' brochure, "Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad," available via our home page and autofax service. For additional health information, the international travelers hotline of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention may be reached at 1-888-232-3228, via the CDC toll-free autofax number at 1-888-232-3299, or via the CDC home page on the Internet: http://www.cdc.gov/. Information on Crime: Security in tourist areas is generally good. The level of violent crime and crime against property is low. There are occasional reports of pickpocketing. Lost or stolen passports abroad should be reported to local police and the U.S. Embassy. Useful information on guarding valuables and protecting personal security while traveling abroad is provided in the Department of State pamphlet, "A Safe Trip Abroad." It is available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, via the Internet at http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs, or the U.S. Embassy in Rangoon. Drug Penalties: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating the law, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use or trafficking in illegal drugs are strict and possible sentences include stiff jail terms, fines and the death penalty. Currency: Although money changers sometimes approach travelers to offer to change dollars into Burmese Kyat at the market rate, it is illegal to exchange currency except at authorized locations such as the airport, banks and government stores. Foreign Exchange Certificates (FEC) are required by foreigners for the payment of plane tickets, train tickets and most hotels. Burmese Kyat are accepted for most other transactions. It is possible to purchase FEC with some credit cards at the Myanmar Foreign Trade Bank in Rangoon or any place that exchanges foreign currency. Economic Sanctions: The U.S. Presidential Executive Order 13047 of May 20, 1997, prohibits new investment in Burma. For specific information, please contact the Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) via the Internet at http://www.ustreas.gov/treasury/services/fac/fac.html, or via OFAC's info-by-fax service at 202-622-0077. Road Safety/Conditions: The condition of Rangoon's main roads is generally good. Traffic in Rangoon is increasing rapidly, but serious congestion is still rare. Slow-moving vehicles, bicycles, and heavy pedestrian traffic create numerous hazards for drivers on Rangoon's streets. There are few good highways connecting Burma's major cities; most in-country travel must be accomplished by air. Travel between Mandalay and Rangoon is possible by land, but deteriorated roads and reckless driving make the trip potentially dangerous. Trains are uncomfortable and not always punctual. Customs Regulations and Other Restrictions: Customs regulations are restrictive and strictly enforced. Photographing people in uniform or any military installation is discouraged by Burmese authorities. Aviation Oversight: As there is no direct commercial air service at present, nor economic authority to operate such service, between the U.S. and Burma, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has not assessed Burma's Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with international aviation safety standards for oversight of Burma's air carrier operations. For further information, travelers may contact the U.S. Department of Transportation within the United States 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 (703) 697-7288. Embassy Location and Registration: Americans are encouraged to register at the U.S. Embassy, and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Burma. The U.S. Embassy is located at 581 Merchant Street, Rangoon, telephone (95-1)282055 and (95-1)282182. The fax number is (95-1)280409. No. 98-48 This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated January 28, 1997 to add new paragraphs on economic sanctions and aviation oversight, and to update information on areas of instability, medical facilities and crime. ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- 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