From: owner-travel-advisories Subject: NEW TRAVEL INFO -- Congo Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories Date: Wed, 18 Jun 1997 13:29:44 GMT Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die Xref: world wstd.travel.advisories:1373 Path: world!bzs Message-ID: <970618132944_76702.1202_CHN41-1@CompuServe.COM> Precedence: bulk Sender: bzs@world.std.com (daemons) Distribution: wstd Approved: usenet@world.std.com Lines: 111 STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Congo (Brazzaville) ============================================================ Congo (Brazzaville) - Travel Warning June 17, 1997 The Department of State warns U.S. citizens to cancel travel to the Congo-Brazzaville due to the deteriorated security situation and the suspension of operations of the U.S. Embassy in Brazzaville. Shooting and other acts of violence have occurred between elements of the Congolese military and paramilitary groups. Combatants have set up roadblocks in various parts of the city and movement within the city is dangerous. A dusk-to-dawn curfew is in place. Ferry service to Kinshasa is inoperable at present. The airport in Brazzaville is closed to commercial traffic at this time. On June 17, the Department ordered the closure of the U.S. Embassy in Brazzaville as of June 18, 1997 and the departure of all official personnel. The government of France is assisting its nationals who wish to leave and reducing its military force in the Congo. Again the Department of State strongly urges U.S. citizens in the Congo to depart the country. No. 97-019 This replaces the Travel Warning dated June 8, 1997 to announce the suspension of operations of the U.S. Embassy in Brazzaville to include the departure of all official personnel and to again urge U.S. citizens to depart. Congo - Consular Information Sheet June 24, 1996 Country Description: The Congo is a developing nation in Central Africa. Facilities for tourism are limited. Entry Requirements: A passport and a visa are required. Information on entry requirements may be obtained from the Embassy of the Republic of the Congo, 4891 Colorado Avenue, N.W., Washington D.C. 20011, telephone (202) 726-0825, or the Permanent Mission of the Congo to the U.N., 14 E. 65th St., New York, NY 10021, telephone (212) 744-7840. Areas of Instability: Most areas of the Congo are generally calm, although sporadic disturbances continue to occur in the capital, Brazzaville. Night travel outside the city center should be avoided. 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. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid or accepted outside the United States. The Medicare/Medicaid program does not provide for payment of medical services outside the United States. Travelers should consider supplemental medical coverage. For additional information, travelers can contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's international travelers hotline, telephone (404) 332-4559. Internet: http://www.cdc.gov. Information on Crime: Street crime, including mugging and purse snatching, is common in Brazzaville, as well as in some parts of the countryside. 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. 20402. Road Safety/Automobile Travel: Road conditions are generally poor and deteriorate significantly during the rainy season, November-June. Maintenance of the few paved roads is limited. Overland travel off the main roads generally requires a four-wheel drive vehicle. Poorly-marked armed checkpoints, often manned by undisciplined soldiers, exist throughout the country. Nighttime travel on unfamiliar roads is dangerous. Detention of Americans: Local security force commanders, particularly in areas outside 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 Embassy has protested such actions. 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 strictly enforced. Convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and fines. Embassy Location/Registration: U.S. citizens are encouraged to register at the U.S. Embassy and obtain updated information on travel and security in the Congo. The U.S. Embassy is located on Avenue Amilcar Cabral in Brazzaville. The telephone number is (242) 83-20-70. The mailing address is B.P. 1015, Brazzaville, Congo or Box C, APO AE 09828. No. 96-125 This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated April 25, 1995 to update information on Areas of Instability and Road Safety/Automobile Travel. ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- 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