Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories
From: 76702.1202@CompuServe.COM (Wally Doerge)
Subject: NEW TRAVEL INFO -- Congo
Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die
Distribution: wstd
Date: Wed, 23 Jun 1993 15:34:49 GMT
STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Congo
============================================================
Travel Warning - Congo
 June 22, 1993

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens to defer all travel to 
the Congo at this time.  U.S. citizens, including dependents of U.S. 
Embassy personnel, have been departing Brazzaville.  The airport 
remains open.  Increasing political tensions have resulted in the 
erection of barricades in Brazzaville, manned by heavily-armed 
political partisans.  U.S. citizens presently in the Congo, and 
outside the Brazzaville area, are requested to avoid travel into 
Brazzaville until further notice.  U.S. citizens in Brazzaville are 
asked to remain in close contact with the U.S. Embassy.

 No. 93-028

This replaces the Travel Warning dated June 13, 1993, to inform of 
the voluntary departure from Brazzaville of U.S. Embassy dependents 
and private U.S. citizens.


Consular Information Sheet - Congo
 December 24, 1992

Embassy Location:  The U.S. Embassy is located on Avenue Amilcar 
Cabral in the capital city of Brazzaville.  The telephone number is 
(242) 83-20-70.  The mailing address is B.P. 1015 Brazzaville, 
Congo; or Box C, APO AE 09828.

Country Description:  Congo is a developing nation located in 
Central Africa.  Facilities for tourism are limited.

Entry Requirements:  A passport and visa are required.  Information 
on entry requirements can be obtained from the Embassy of the 
Republic of the Congo, 4891 Colorado Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C.  
20011, telephone (202) 726-5500.

Areas of Instability:  Increasing tensions between the government 
and opposition forces have resulted in civil disturbances in 
Brazzaville.  Travelers to the Congo may encounter street 
barricades, demonstrations or be otherwise jeopardized by the 
unsettled conditions currently prevailing.

Medical Facilities:  Medical facilities in the Congo are limited.  
Some medicine is in short supply.  Doctors and hospitals often 
expect immediate cash payment for health services.  Not all U.S. 
medical insurance is valid outside the United States.  Travelers 
have found supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas to 
coverage be of use.  Information on health matters can be obtained 
>from the Centers for Disease Control 's international travelers 
hotline, telephone (404) 332-4559.

Information on Crime:  Street crime, including mugging and purse 
snatching, is common in Brazzaville, as well as in some parts of the 
countryside.  Useful information on safeguarding valuables and 
protecting personal security while traveling abroad is provided in 
the pamphlet, "A Safe Trip Abroad," available from the 
Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, 
Washington, D.C. 20402.

Detention of Americans:  Local security force commanders, 
particularly in areas outside of Brazzaville, may detain foreigners 
and have been known to attempt extortion.  Such detention of U.S. 
citizens is not always reported by Congo authorities to the U.S. 
Embassy.  The U.S. Embassy has protested such actions.

Drug Penalties:  Penalties for possession, use or trafficking in 
illegal drugs are strictly enforced.  Convicted offenders can expect 
jail sentences and fines.  

Tips for Travelers:  The Department of State publication "Tips for 
Travelers to Sub-Saharan Africa" is available from the 
Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, 
Washington, D.C. 20402.  It contains general information on travel 
in the area.

Registration:  U.S. citizens who register at the U.S. Embassy can 
obtain updated information on travel and security in the Congo.

 No. 92-138