Xref: world wstd.travel.advisories:825 Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories Path: world!daemon From: Wally Doerge <76702.1202@compuserve.com> Subject: NEW TRAVEL INFO -- Ethiopia Message-ID: <950914124222_76702.1202_CHN41-1@CompuServe.COM> Precedence: bulk Sender: daemon@world.std.com (daemons) Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die Distribution: wstd Date: Thu, 14 Sep 1995 12:42:22 GMT Approved: usenet@world.std.com Lines: 152 STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Ethiopia ============================================================ Ethiopia - Consular Information Sheet September 13, 1995 Country Description: Ethiopia is a developing east African country. A transitional government, which came to power in September 1991 following two decades of civil war, turned over power to an elected permanent government August 22, 1995. Although most of Ethiopia is stable, some outlying areas of the country continue to experience lawlessness and there are scattered reports of low-level civil strife. Tourism facilities in Ethiopia are minimal. Eritrea, formerly a province of Ethiopia, became an independent country on May 24, 1993. There is a separate Consular Information Sheet on Eritrea. Entry Requirements: A passport and a visa are required, as well as evidence of yellow fever immunization. Travelers must enter Ethiopia by air, either at Addis Ababa or at Dire Dawa. Travelers entering overland risk being detained by immigration authorities and/or fined. Airport visas may be obtained only if 72 hours advance notice has been provided by the traveler's sponsoring organization to proper authorities within Ethiopia. Airport visas are not available to travelers departing from or traveling through a country where an Ethiopian diplomatic mission is located. Exit visas are required of all visitors remaining in Ethiopia for more than 30 days. There is an airport departure tax of ten U. S. dollars, payable in hard currency, for all foreigners. For more information on entry/exit requirements, travelers may contact the Embassy of Ethiopia, 2134 Kalorama Road, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, telephone (202) 234-2281/2. Areas of Instability: Incidents of banditry are not uncommon in the southernmost areas of Ethiopia, along the Kenyan border and as far north as Woleyita (former Sidamo province). Isolated incidents of violence have recently occurred in other regions as well, including the Lake Tana, Lake Langano, Awassa, and Arbaminch areas. There have also been sporadic reports of armed clashes between various opposition elements and government forces in Region 5 (Somalia border area). There is also possible spillover from the conflict in Somalia for travelers in nearby border areas. Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) elements claim that armed OLF units periodically clash with forces of the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) in the western area of Nekemte (former Wollega province) and in the east, around Harar. However, these claims are unconfirmed. Travel within the Country: Domestic and international air services generally operate on schedule, although flights between Addis Ababa and Asmara are heavily booked and may be canceled without warning. Airport security procedures are thorough. Nevertheless, there have been occasional hijackings of domestic flights. No American citizens or other passengers have been harmed. Domestic Travel Hazards: Land mines and other anti-personnel devices can be encountered frequently in areas which suffered fighting during the war. Areas such as the route to Asebeteferi, the vicinity of Harar, the Ogaden region, and the roads north from Addis Ababa to Tigray province are known mined areas. Many persons, including foreigners, have been injured by these devices. Travel on paved roads generally is safer than travel on unpaved roads. Areas off the pavement around bridges or water crossings may also be hazardous. Overland travel is especially dangerous in areas east and south of Harar, in Region 5 (formerly known as the Ogaden), due to land mines on the main road between Harar and Jijiga. Irregular fuel supplies can make traveling by car outside of Addis Ababa very difficult. Vehicle travel after dark outside Addis Ababa and other cities is dangerous due to the possibility of armed robbery and dangerous driving conditions. Medical Facilities: Medical facilities in Ethiopia are extremely limited. Even the best hospitals in Addis Ababa suffer from inadequate facilities, antiquated equipment and shortages of supplies, particularly medicine, although physicians themselves are generally well-trained. Emergency assistance is limited. Travelers generally bring their own supplies of prescription drugs and preventive medicines. Doctors and hospitals usually expect cash payment for services. The Medicare/Medicaid program does not provide for payment of medical services outside the United States. Not all U.S. medical insurance is valid outside the United States. Supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage and medical evacuation provisions has proved useful. Information on health matters may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control's international travelers hotline, telephone (404) 332-4559. Information on Crime: Pickpocketing is prevalent in urban areas and there have been numerous reports of thieves snatching jewelry. Banditry occurs on roads outside major towns or cities, and may be accompanied by violence. 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. Currency Regulations: The black market for hard currency is declining as the official and free market rates for the Ethiopian birr converge. Visitors must declare hard currency upon arrival and may be required to present this declaration when applying for an exit visa. Penalties for exchanging money on the black market range >from fines to imprisonment. Credit cards are accepted by only one hotel in Ethiopia. Foreigners are required to pay for hotel and car rental expenses in hard currency. Prohibition on Photography: Certain buildings and public places may not be photographed. Travel guides, police, and Ethiopian officials can advise if a particular site may be photographed. Photographing banned sites may result in the confiscation of film and camera. Equipment such as video cameras and laptop computers must be declared upon arrival and departure from Ethiopia. Tape recorders require special customs permits. Those intending prolonged stays should check with the Ethiopian Embassy prior to travel regarding customs procedures. Export of Antiques and Animal Skins: Permits are required before either antiques or animal skins can be exported from Ethiopia. Antique religious artifacts, including "Ethiopian crosses," require documentation from the National Museum in Addis Ababa. 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, fines and possible confiscation of personal property. Registration/Embassy Location: U.S. citizens who register at the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa may obtain updated information on travel and security in Ethiopia. The U.S. Embassy is located at Entoto Avenue, P.O. Box 1014, in Addis Ababa. The telephone is (251-1) 550-666, extension 316/336; the emergency afterhours number is (251-1) 552-558. The Embassy general fax number is (251-1) 55-21-91 and the consular fax number is (251-1) 551-094/551-748. No. 95-111 This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated April 6, 1995, to update the summary of the political situation, the areas where banditry has been reported, the description of airport security, and currency developments. ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- 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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