From: owner-travel-advisories Subject: NEW TRAVEL INFO -- Guinea-Bissau Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories Date: Thu, 1 May 1997 19:54:37 GMT Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die Xref: world wstd.travel.advisories:1320 Path: world!bzs Message-ID: <970501195437_76702.1202_CHN57-1@CompuServe.COM> Precedence: bulk Sender: bzs@world.std.com (daemons) Distribution: wstd Approved: usenet@world.std.com Lines: 113 STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Guinea-Bissau ============================================================ Guinea-Bissau - Public Announcement May 1, 1997 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesman The U.S. Embassy in Guinea-Bissau issued the following announcement to the local American community on April 30, 1997: Americans are urged to use caution when traveling in Bissau and other regional cities. Demonstrations by students continue and are likely to intensify over the May 1 holiday and the beginning of currency conversion to the CFA Franc on May 2. Americans are advised to avoid large crowds and to use caution near banks and government buildings that have been targeted by demonstrators in recent incidents. For further information on Guinea-Bissau see the Department of State's latest Consular Information Sheet on Guinea-Bissau. This Public Announcement expires on May 30, 1997. Guinea-Bissau - Consular Information Sheet January 31, 1996 Country Description: Guinea-Bissau is a developing nation on the west coast of Africa. Portuguese is the official language; French is also widely spoken. Facilities for tourism are minimal, particularly outside the capital city. Entry Requirements: A visa is required and must be obtained in advance. There is an airport departure tax, payable in hard currency only. Travelers should obtain the latest information and details from the Embassy of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, 918 16th Street, N.W., Mezzanine Suite, Washington, D.C. 20006 at (202) 872-4222. Overseas inquiries should be made to the nearest Guinea-Bissau embassy or consulate. Areas of Instability: Due to armed conflict in northern Guinea-Bissau, the U.S. Embassy recommends that U.S. citizens defer travel to the region west of Ingore, including Sao Domingos and Varela. Medical Facilities: Medical facilities in Guinea-Bissau are extremely limited. Medicines often are not available. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. The Medicare/Medicaid program does not provide for payment of medical services outside the United States. Travelers have found that supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas and medical evacuation coverage has proven to be useful. For additional health information, travelers can contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's International Travelers hotline at (404) 332-4559. Information on Crime: Petty crime is common. Travelers should exercise caution at the airport, in markets and at public gatherings. Thieves have occasionally posed as officials to make off with bags and other personal items. Unattended vehicles are often broken into. U.S. residents and businesses increasingly are targets for armed robbery. 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 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. 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. Restrictions on Photography: Visitors should request permission from security personnel before photographing military or police installations. Currency Regulations: Taking Guinea-Bissau pesos out of the country is expressly prohibited. Credit cards and travelers checks are rarely accepted in Guinea-Bissau. Inter-bank fund transfers are difficult and time-consuming to accomplish. Telephones: Travelers may have difficulty finding public phones and receiving international calls. Telephone services are expensive. Embassy Location/Registration: U.S. citizens are encouraged to register with the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Bissau at Bairro de Penha, and to obtain updated information on travel and security in Guinea-Bissau. The Embassy's mailing address is C.P. 297, 1067 Codex, Bissau, Guinea-Bissau. The telephone number is (245) 25-2273/4/5/6 and the fax is (245) 25-2282. No. 96-006 This replaces The Consular Information Sheet dated July 28, 1994 to update information on entry requirements and medical facilities, and to add information on Areas of Instability. ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- 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