From: owner-travel-advisories Subject: NEW TRAVEL INFO -- Congo - Kinshasa Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories Date: Thu, 3 Dec 1998 15:45:32 GMT Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die Xref: world wstd.travel.advisories:2002 Path: world!bzs Message-ID: <199812031047_MC2-6254-B122@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: 250 STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Democratic Republic of Congo ============================================================ Democratic Republic of Congo - Travel Warning December 2, 1998 The Department of State warns U.S. citizens to defer travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo due to the prospect of continued fighting and the uncertain political and security situation in the country. The U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa has reopened, but consular operations may be limited to emergency U.S. citizen services. There continue to be reports of unofficial armed groups operating in parts of the country, as well as pillaging, vehicle thefts, carjackings, extrajudicial settling of differences, ethnic tensions, and continued military operations. Travelers run the risk of attack or detention. Although U.S. citizens have not been targeted to date, a high level of security awareness should be maintained. Travelers should avoid any area where demonstrations are occurring or where crowds have gathered. Ferry services between Kinshasa and Brazzaville remain sporadic. For further information, please consult the Department of State's latest Consular Information Sheet on the Democratic Republic of the Congo. No. 98-061 This replaces the Travel Warning dated August 14, 1998, to note the reopening of the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa and that consular operations may be limited to emergency U.S. citizen services. Democratic Republic of Congo - Consular Information Sheet (formerly Zaire) December 23, 1997 Warning: The Department of State warns U.S. citizens to defer travel to the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire) due to the uncertain political and security situation. However, the authorized departure of non-essential U.S. Embassy personnel and dependents from the Democratic Republic of Congo is cancelled. There continue to be reports of unofficial armed groups operating in parts of the country, as well as pillaging, vehicle thefts, carjackings, extrajudicial settling of differences, ethnic tensions, and continued military operations. Travelers run the risk of attack or detention. Although U.S. citizens are not being targeted, a high level of security awareness should be maintained. Travelers should avoid any area where demonstrations are occurring. Traditional police protection is improving but still limited as the primary security personnel are the Democratic Republic of Congo military forces. The international airport at Kinshasa is operating. Ferry services to Brazzaville have recently been reestablished but remain sporadic. Country Description: The new government of the Democratic Republic of Congo continues to be faced with a deep political and economic crisis inherited from the previous regime, which was deposed in the spring of 1997. This crisis resulted in the dramatic deterioration of the physical infrastructure, the lack of security, increased crime in cities, occasional official hostility to U.S. citizens and other expatriates, periodic shortages of basic items such as gasoline, chronic shortages of medical supplies, high inflation, corruption and in some areas, serious malnutrition. Entry Requirements: Visas should be obtained from a Democratic Republic of Congo (DROC) embassy prior to arrival. Individuals who experience difficulty entering DROC with a visa issued overseas are asked to contact the U.S. Embassy. Additional information may be obtained from the Democratic Republic of Congo Embassy, 1800 New Hampshire Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20009 at (202) 234-7690 or 234-7691, or the DROC's Permanent Mission to the U.N. at 2 Henry Avenue, North Caldwell, New Jersey 07006, telephone (201) 812-1636. Overseas, inquiries should be made at the nearest DROC embassy or consulate. Areas of Instability: The security situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo remains unstable. Order throughout the country has not yet been established, especially in the eastern or Great Lakes region. Security forces are an amalgam of units from the victorious civil war alliance and reintegrated troops from the former regime. Their chain of command is often unclear; troops are often ill-trained, ill-paid, and sometimes, poorly disciplined. Urban Areas: The recent change in regime has resulted in the stationing of large numbers of security forces in all urban areas, notably the capital, Kinshasa. Travel in the downtown parts of Kinshasa and Lubumbashi is generally safe. The outlying areas are less secure due to command-and-control problems, the continued presence of former Zairian military, large numbers of weapons and high levels of criminal activity. Tension in the capital is further heightened by the influx of refugees from the civil conflict in Brazzaville, across the Congo River. Civil disturbances may occur without warning in all urban areas and have the potential to turn violent. There are numerous military roadblocks, especially after dark. Vehicles are often searched for weapons, and travelers checked for identity papers. Troops sometimes seek bribes and transportation. If confronted with such a situation, it is suggested that U.S. citizens remain as courteous and low-key as possible and then report the incident to the U.S. Embassy as soon as possible. Medical Facilities: Medical facilities are limited, and medicine is in short supply. Doctors and hospitals expect immediate cash payment in full for health services. The U.S. Medicare/Medicaid program does not provide for payment of medical services outside the United States, and U.S. medical insurance is not always valid or accepted outside the United States. Travelers should consider supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas and medical evacuation coverage. For additional information, travelers may contact the international travelers hotline at the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (telephone: (404) 332-4559; Internet: http://www.cdc.gov.) Information on Crime: Low levels of economic activity continue to promote crime, vehicle thefts, burglaries, armed robbery and carjackings. The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to local police and to 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. 20420. Road Safety and In-Country Travel: Intercity roads are poor and often impassable in the rainy season. When driving in cities, individuals should keep windows up and doors locked. At roadblocks or checkpoints, documents should be shown through closed windows. In the event of a traffic incident involving bodily injury to a third party or pedestrian, do not stop to offer assistance under any circumstances. Proceed directly to the nearest police station or gendarmerie to report the incident and request official government intervention. Attempting to provide assistance may further aggravate the incident resulting in a hostile mob reaction or stoning. Visitors to the interior may be required to obtain a "mining permit" in Kinshasa before continuing the trip, regardless of the purpose of the trip. Border Crossings: Ferry service between Kinshasa and Brazzaville may be closed due to the civil conflict in Brazzaville. If ferry service is functioning, a special exit permit from the Democratic Republic of Congo's (Kinshasa) Immigration Service and a visa from an Embassy of the Congo (Brazzaville) are required to cross the Congo River from Kinshasa to Brazzaville. Ferry service to the Central African Republic is not reliable. The border with Rwanda reopened in 1997. Currency Regulations: Currency rules are in a state of flux in Democratic Republic of Congo's complex, mostly-cash economy. Until the introduction of a new DROC franc, the local currency remains the New Zaire. The U.S. dollar, however, serves as a reference for most financial transactions, and American currency is widely used in the major cities, with change usually given in New Zaires. Local citizens and banks rarely accept U.S. currency in poor condition, in denominations larger than $100 or the old-style $100 bill and $50 bills issued in 1980 and earlier. There are limited alternatives to carrying cash. Credit cards are accepted only at a few major hotels, restaurants, and car rental firms (AMEX is most likely to be accepted). Credit cards may not be used at banks to obtain cash advances. Travelers checks are cashable only at commercial banks. Some travelers have complained about high fees, delays, and unavailability of cash at commercial banks for travelers checks and wire transfers (although commissions and taxes are technically less than 4%.) Non-cash transactions are usually more difficult outside Kinshasa. Most currency exchanges are done at licensed exchange bureaus (Bureau de Change Agree) or with street dealers, whose rates are sometimes a few percentage points better than the banks. Transactions by unlicensed dealers are illegal and pose risks to the customer. Since 1992, Zaire/Democratic Republic of Congo has had four de facto monetary zones within the country, using several types of national banknotes. The Government prohibits the transport of large sums of cash, both from one region to another within the country, and internationally. The rules have not been published. Both New Zairian and foreign banknotes have been seized, entering and leaving the country. There is a licensed exchange bureau at Kinshasa airport. Currency declaration forms have fallen into disuse, but are sometimes asked for by customs inspectors. Photography Restrictions: Photography of public buildings, military installations, airports and the banks of the Congo River is forbidden. Offenders can expect to be arrested, held for at least several hours and fined. Film and cameras may also be confiscated. Due to the threat of harassment and the lack of signs designating sites prohibited for photography, photography is best practiced in private homes and amongst friends. Drug Penalties: U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the country in which they are traveling. Penalties for possession, use, and trafficking in illegal drugs are strictly enforced. Convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and fines. Civil Aviation: As a result of its November 1992 assessment, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) found the Democratic Republic of Congo's civil aviation authority not to be in compliance with international aviation safety standards for oversight of Democratic Republic of Congo's air carrier operations. Operations to the U.S. by Democratic Republic of Congo's air carriers are not permitted unless they arrange to have their flights conducted by a carrier from a country meeting international aviation safety standards. The Department of Defense does not permit U.S. military personnel to use carriers from Democratic Republic of Congo for official business except in extenuating circumstances. For further information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation at 1-800-322-7873. Questions regarding the Department of Defense policy may be directed to the Pentagon at (703) 697-7288. Registration/Embassy Location: U.S. citizens are strongly encouraged to register at the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa and to obtain updated information on travel and security within the Democratic Republic of Congo. The U.S. Embassy is located at 310 Avenue des Aviateurs, Kinshasa. The telephone number is (243) (12) 21532 or 21628. The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy is located at Avenue d'Isiro, Mobil Building; the telephone number is (243) (12) 21532, extension 2376. Telephone service is often unreliable, and cellular phones are becoming popular. The U.S. Embassy's cellular switchboard phone number is (243) (88) 43608. The Consular Section may be reached by fax at (243) (88) 00228 or 43467. No. 97-170 This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated April 22, 1997, to reflect the country's name change from Zaire to Democratic Republic of Congo and to reflect changes in the Travel Warning and paragraphs on Country Description, Entry Requirements, Areas of Instability, Road Safety and In-Country Travel, Currency Regulations and Civil Aviation. ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- 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. 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