From: owner-travel-advisories Subject: Democratic Republic of Congo Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories Date: Tue, 14 Oct 1997 16:20:37 GMT Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die Xref: world wstd.travel.advisories:1490 Path: world!bzs Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Message-ID: <199710141222_MC2-23D8-BDD5@compuserve.com> Content-Disposition: inline Precedence: bulk Sender: Wally Doerge <76702.1202@compuserve.com> Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Mime-Version: 1.0 Distribution: wstd Approved: usenet@world.std.com Lines: 213 STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Democratic Republic of Congo ============================================================ Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire) - Travel Warning October 10, 1997 The Department of State warns U. S. citizens to defer travel to the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire) due to the recent random shelling of the Kinshasa area from elements in Brazzaville, Congo and the uncertain political and security situation in parts of the country. The Department of State has authorized the departure of non-essential U.S. Embassy personnel and the dependents of U.S. Embassy personnel. Private Americans residing in or visiting the Democratic Republic of Congo are encouraged to consider departing the country at this time. Since September 30, there have been numerous cross border artillery exchanges of tank and anti-aircraft rounds from Brazzaville landing in or near Kinshasa. There are continued reports of unofficial armed groups operating in some parts of the country, and travelers run the risk of attack or detention by these rogue military units. Travelers should avoid any area where demonstrations are occurring. There are continued reports of pillaging, vehicle thefts, carjackings and extrajudicial score-settling in some parts of Kinshasa, as well as ethnic tensions and continued military operations elsewhere in the country. Although U.S. citizens are not being targeted, a high level of security awareness should be maintained. 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 operational, though ferry service to Brazzaville is suspended. For further information, please consult the Department of State's latest Consular Information Sheet for the Democratic Republic of Congo . No. 97-031 This replaces the Travel Warning dated June 4, 1997, to note the authorized departure of non-essential U.S. Embassy personnel and dependents; and the continued uncertain security situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire) - Consular Information Sheet April 22, 1997 Warning: The Department of State warns U.S. citizens to defer all travel to Zaire due to the uncertain political and security situation and the potential for unrest throughout the country. The Department has ordered the departure of dependents of U.S. Embassy personnel. The Department strongly urges U.S. citizens in Zaire to depart the country. Country Description: Zaire is in a deep political and economic crisis which has resulted in the dramatic deterioration of its physical infrastructure, lack of security and 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: The government of Zaire has requested all first time visitors to Zaire, including those involved in humanitarian assistance, to schedule their arrivals in Zaire via Kinshasa. First time visitors and those traveling on a passport without a Kinshasa entry stamp should be aware that this measure is being interpreted at some ports of entry as barring first time entry to Zaire other than through Kinshasa, including holders of valid Zairian visas. Visas must be obtained in advance. Under no circumstances should American citizens travel to Zaire without a valid visa. Additional information may be obtained from the Zairian Embassy, 1800 New Hampshire Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20009 at telephone (202) 234-7690 or 234-7691, or Zaire'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 Zairian embassy or consulate. Areas of Instability: The security situation in Zaire continues to deteriorate: conditions of general disorder, exacerbated by ill-disciplined troops have proceeded the outbreak of hostilities which threaten to spread from eastern Zaire westward toward Kinshasa. Political demonstrations and civil disturbances can occur throughout the country at any time and have the potential to turn violent. Air travel in the region can no longer be assured; many U.S. citizens have already departed Zaire. Urban Areas - Military mutinies in 1991 and 1993 caused many deaths and major property loss, damage, and destruction in Kinshasa and elsewhere. The underlying causes of these mutinies -- the inability of the Zairian government to pay the military enough to support themselves and their families -- have not been resolved. Civil disturbances, including looting and the possibility of physical harm, can occur without warning in all urban areas. Corrupt Zairian security personnel may seek bribes to perform their duties, or single out foreigners and stop them on the street for proof of immigration status. The U.S. Embassy advises travelers to not be belligerent if confronted with these situations and to contact the U.S. Embassy if taken into custody. 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 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. Traveler's should consider supplemental medical insurance, with specific overseas and medical evacuation coverage. For additional information, travelers can contact the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention's international travelers hotline (404) 332-4559. Internet: http://www.cdc.gov. Information on Crime: The deterioration of Zaire's economy has led to an increase in crime. Vehicle thefts, including armed carjackings, occur, as do burglaries and other crimes. 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 difficult and, in the rainy season, often impassable. When driving in cities, individuals should keep windows up and doors locked. At roadblocks or checkpoints, documents are 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. Zaire/Congo Border Crossing - A special exit permit from Zaire's Immigration Department and a visa from an embassy of the Congo are required to cross the Congo River from Kinshasa to Brazzaville. Zaire/Central African Republic Border Crossing - Ferry service to the Central African Republic is not reliable. Currency Regulations: The foreign exchange office at N'djili airport in Kinshasa remains closed. U.S. dollars and travelers checks can, in theory, be exchanged for local currency (New Zaire's) at banks, but there is often insufficient New Zaire cash on hand to make transactions. Visitors may be given an unfavorable rate of exchange, making daily necessities extremely expensive. Credit cards are only accepted at a few major hotels. Taking Zairian currency out of the country is illegal. With the continued devaluation of the New Zaire currency, U.S. currency has become the primary means of payment for personal and commercial transactions. Participating in unofficial money exchanges, however, is illegal. Foreigners have been picked up for infractions and had their money confiscated. Large denominations of U.S. currency may not be accepted. 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, 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 an assessment conducted by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in November, 1992, the FAA has found the government of Zaire's civil aviation authority to not be in compliance with international aviation safety standards for oversight of Zaire's air carrier operations. Operations to the U.S. by Zaire'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 Zaire for official business except in extenuating circumstances. For further information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation at1-800-322-7873. 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 Zaire. 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 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 increasingly popular. The 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. 97-070 This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated April 15, 1997 to include the travel warning of April 18, 1997. ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- 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