From: Wally Doerge <76702.1202@compuserve.com> Subject: NEW TRAVEL INFO -- Germany Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories Date: Fri, 23 Feb 1996 21:00:53 GMT Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die Xref: world wstd.travel.advisories:967 Path: world!root Message-ID: <960223210053_76702.1202_CHN63-1@CompuServe.COM> Precedence: bulk Sender: root@world.std.com (daemons) Distribution: wstd Approved: usenet@world.std.com Lines: 104 STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Germany ============================================================ Germany - Consular Information Sheet February 22, 1996 Country Description: Germany is a stable democracy with a modern economy. Tourist facilities throughout Germany are highly developed with the exception of some areas in eastern Germany. Entry Requirements: For information concerning entry requirements for Germany, travelers may contact the German Embassy at 4645 Reservoir Road N.W., Washington, D.C. 20007, telephone (202) 298-4360, or German Consulates in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco or Seattle. Medical Facilities: Good medical care is widely available with some facilities in eastern Germany more limited. Doctors and hospitals may expect immediate payment in cash for health services. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. Travelers have found that supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage has proven useful. Further information on health matters can be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's international travelers' hotline at (404) 332-4559. Crime Information: Germany has a low rate of violent crime. Crimes such as burglary, petty theft, and narcotics trafficking are increasing but not dramatically. Pickpocketing and purse snatching occur in urban areas, particularly on public transportation and in crowded department stores, train stations, and other areas frequented by tourists. Travelers should therefore take normal precautions to safeguard their valuables, money, and credit cards. Major cities have certain sections where crime rates are higher. These areas are normally easily identifiable, and can be avoided. The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. The Department of State's pamphlet "A Safe Trip Abroad" contains information on safeguarding valuables and promoting personal security. It can be obtained from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402. Extremist Activities: A small number of right- and left-wing extremist groups are active in Germany. Right-wing groups have staged violent but isolated demonstrations and attacks, the majority of which have been directed against ethnic minorities and foreigners, on rare occasions including Americans. Most such acts are perpetrated spontaneously, often by persons under the influence of alcohol. Left-wing extremists have occasionally carried out low-level bombings against U.S. facilities, although they have not targeted individual Americans. Extremists of both wings, often displaying unpredictable behavior, should be avoided. Protests and demonstrations by these groups occasionally lead to street violence and clashes with the police. Although Americans have not been specific targets, individual Americans have in exceptional cases been assaulted by extremists for appearing "foreign" or "different." 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 strict, and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and fines. Registration and Embassy and Consulate Locations: Americans may obtain updated information on travel and security within Germany from the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy or any of the U.S. Consulates. The U.S. Embassy's toll-free 24-hour hotline in Germany on crime, security, and information on demonstrations may be accessed by dialing 0130-826364. The U.S. Embassy in Bonn is located at Deichmanns Aue 29; tel:(49)(228) 3391. The Embassy Office in Berlin is at Neustaedtische Kirchstrasse 4-5, tel (49)(30) 238-5174; its Consular Section is at Clayallee 170; tel. (49)(30) 832-9233. U.S. Consulates are located at: Dusseldorf: Kennedydamm 15-17, tel: (49)(211) 47061-23, Frankfurt: Siesmayerstrasse 21, tel: (49)(69) 75350; Hamburg: Alsterufer 27/28, tel: (49)(40) 41171-351; Leipzig: Wilhelm-Seyfferth-Strasse 4, tel: (49)(341) 213-8418; Munich: Koeniginstrasse 5, tel: (49)(89) 2888-722; and Stuttgart: Urbanstrasse 7, tel: (49)(711) 211008O. The Consulates in Stuttgart and Leipzig offer only emergency services to U.S. citizens. The Consulate in Stuttgart will close September 30, 1996. No. 96-039 This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated February 10, 1995, to amend the list of German consulates and the sections on terrorist activities and extremist activities. ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- 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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