Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories From: 76702.1202@CompuServe.COM (Wally Doerge) Subject: NEW TRAVEL INFO -- Iraq Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die Distribution: wstd Date: Tue, 31 Aug 1993 15:10:39 GMT STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Iraq ============================================================ Iraq - Travel Warning August 31, 1993 The Department of State warns all U.S. citizens against traveling to Iraq. Conditions within the country remain unsettled and dangerous. The United States does not maintain diplomatic relations with Iraq and cannot provide normal consular protective services to U.S. citizens. U.S. passports are not valid for travel to, in or through Iraq, unless they are specially endorsed by the U.S. Government. There is a U.S. trade embargo which severely restricts financial and economic activities with Iraq, including travel-related transactions. Further details can be found in the Department of State consular information sheet on Iraq. No. 93-003 This extends the Department of State Travel Warning dated January 8, 1993. Iraq - Consular Information Sheet August 31, 1993 Warning: The Department of State warns all U.S. citizens against traveling to Iraq. Conditions within the country remain unsettled and dangerous. The United States does not maintain diplomatic relations with Iraq and cannot provide normal consular protective services to U.S. citizens. U.S. passports are not valid for travel to, in or through Iraq, unless they are specially endorsed by the U.S. Government. There is a U.S. trade embargo which severely restricts financial and economic activities with Iraq, including travel-related transactions. Country Description: The Republic of Iraq is governed by the repressive Revolutionary Command Council. Iraq has a developing economy that was seriously damaged in the 1991 Gulf War. U.N. trade sanctions have also affected the economy. Islamic ideals and beliefs provide the conservative foundation of the country's customs, laws and practices. Tourist facilities are not widely available. The work week in Iraq is Sunday through Thursday. Entry Requirements: Passports and visas are required. On February 8, 1991, U.S. passports ceased to be valid for travel to, in or through Iraq and may not be used for that purpose unless a special validation has been obtained. Without the requisite validation, use of a U.S. passport for travel to, in or through Iraq may constitute a violation of 18 U.S.C. 1544, and may be punishable by a fine and/or imprisonment. An exemption to the above restriction is granted to Americans residing in Iraq as of February 8, 1991 who continue to reside there and to American professional reporters or journalists on assignment there. In addition, the Department of the Treasury prohibits all travel-related transactions by U.S. persons intending to visit Iraq, unless specifically licensed by the Office of Foreign Assets Control. The only exceptions to this licensing requirement are for journalistic activity or for U.S. government or United Nations business. The categories of individuals eligible for consideration for a special passport validation are set forth in 22 C.F.R. 51.74. Passport validation requests for Iraq should be forwarded in writing to the following address: Deputy Assistant Secretary for Passport Services U.S. Department of State 1425 K Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20522-1705 Attn: Office of Citizenship Appeals and Legal Assistance (Rm. 300) Telephone (202) 326-6168 or 326-6182. The request must be accompanied by supporting documentation according to the category under which validation is sought. Currently, the four categories of persons specified in 22 C.F.R. 51.74 as being eligible for consideration for passport validation are as follows: [a] Professional reporters: Includes full-time members of the reporting or writing staff of a newspaper, magazine or broadcasting network whose purpose for travel is to gather information about Iraq for dissemination to the general public. [b] American Red Cross: Applicant establishes that he or she is a representative of the American Red Cross or International Red Cross traveling pursuant to an officially-sponsored Red Cross mission. [c] Humanitarian Considerations: Applicant must establish that his or her trip is justified by compelling humanitarian considerations or for family unification. At this time, "compelling humanitarian considerations" include situations where the applicant can document that an immediate family member is critically ill in Iraq. Documentation concerning family illness must include the name and address of the relative, and be from that relative's physician attesting to the nature and gravity of the illness. "Family unification" situations may include cases in which spouses or minor children are residing in Iraq, with and dependent on, an Iraqi national spouse or parent for their support. [d] National Interest: The applicant's request is otherwise found to be in the national interest. In all requests for passport validation for travel to Iraq, the name, date and place of birth for all concerned persons must be given, as well as the U.S. passport numbers. Documentation as outlined above should accompany all requests. Additional information may be obtained by writing to the above address or by calling the Office of Citizenship Appeals and Legal Assistance at [202] 326-6168 or 326-6182. U.S. Treasury Restrictions: In August 1990 President Bush issued Executive Orders 12722 and 12724, imposing economic sanctions against Iraq including a complete trade embargo. The U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control administers the regulations related to these sanctions, which include restrictions on all financial transactions related to travel to Iraq. These regulations prohibit all travel-related transactions, except as specifically licensed. The only exceptions to this licensing requirement are for persons engaged in journalism or in official U.S. government or U.N. business. Questions concerning these restrictions should be addressed directly to: Licensing Section Office of Foreign Assets Control U.S. Department of the Treasury Washington, D.C. 20220 Telephone (202) 622-2480; fax (202) 622-1657 Areas of Instability: Hostilities in the Gulf region ceased on February 27, 1991. United Nations Security Council Resolution 687, adopted on April 3, 1991, set terms for a permanent ceasefire, but conditions in Iraq remain unsettled. Travel in Iraq is extremely hazardous, particularly for U.S. citizens. Regional conflicts continue in northern Iraq between Kurdish ethnic groups and Iraqi security forces. In southern Iraq, governmental repression of the Shia communities is severe. U.S. citizens and other foreigners working near the Kuwait-Iraq border have been detained by Iraqi authorities for lengthy periods under harsh conditions. Travelers to that area, whether in Kuwait or not, are in immediate jeopardy of detention by Iraqi security personnel. In the past year, most foreigners detained at the Kuwait-Iraq border, regardless of nationality, have been sentenced to jail terms of seven or ten years for illegally entering Iraq. Medical Facilities: Basic modern medical care and medicines may not be available. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for services. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. Supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage has proved useful. The international travelers hotline at the Centers for Disease Control, telephone (404) 332-4559, has additional useful health information. Information on Crime: Reports of crime in Iraq are increasing, especially in the larger cities. The loss or theft of a U.S. passport abroad should be reported immediately to local police, and the U.S. Interests Section or the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Useful information on safeguarding valuables, protecting personal security, and other matters while traveling abroad is provided in the Department of State pamphlets, "A Safe Trip Abroad" and "Tips for Travelers to the Middle East and North Africa." They 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 severe, and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and fines. Terrorism: Tension in the Persian Gulf region remains high because of continuing Iraqi defiance of U.N. Security Council resolutions. As a result, the risk of terrorism directed against U.S. citizens in Iraq remains a continuing concern. Registration: There is no U.S. embassy in Iraq. The U.S. government is not in a position to accord normal consular protective services to U.S. citizens who, despite this warning, are in Iraq. U.S. government interests are represented by the government of Poland, which, as a protecting power, is able to provide only limited emergency services to U.S. citizens. Embassy Location: There is no U.S. embassy or consulate in Iraq. The U.S. Interests Section of the Embassy of Poland is located opposite the Foreign Ministry Club (Masbah Quarter); P.O. Box 2447 Alwiyah, Baghdad, Iraq. The telephone number is (964-1) 719-6138, 719-6139, 719-3791, 718-1840. No. 93-215 This replaces the Consular Information Sheet on Iraq dated January 8, 1993, to update the section on areas of instability, and to include information on reporting the loss or theft of a U.S. passport abroad.