From: owner-travel-advisories Subject: NEW TRAVEL INFO -- Iraq Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories Date: Mon, 23 Feb 1998 16:01:34 GMT Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die Xref: world wstd.travel.advisories:1623 Path: world!bzs Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Message-ID: <199802231103_MC2-345A-C4F4@compuserve.com> Content-Disposition: inline Precedence: bulk Sender: "U.S. Department of State" <76702.1202@compuserve.com> Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Mime-Version: 1.0 Distribution: wstd Approved: usenet@world.std.com Lines: 244 STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Iraq ============================================================ Iraq - Travel Warning February 21, 1998 The Government of Iraq continues to defy the international community by refusing United Nations representatives full access to inspect and verify Iraq's weapons of mass destruction programs. In response, the United States has dispatched military forces to the Middle East. While diplomatic options have not been exhausted, the Government of Iraq continues to make provocative and confrontational statements indicating its unwillingness to comply with UN resolutions. Due to these ongoing tensions, all U.S. citizens are strongly urged to avoid all travel to Iraq, and those already in Iraq are advised to depart as soon as possible. Conditions throughout the country remain unsettled and dangerous. U.S. passports are not valid for travel to, in or through Iraq, unless they are validated by the Department of State. The United States does not have diplomatic relations with Iraq. There is no U. S. Embassy in Iraq. While our interests in Iraq are represented by the Embassy of Poland in Baghdad, that Embassy's ability to obtain consular access to detained U.S. citizens and to perform other emergency services is constrained by Iraqi unwillingness to cooperate. In addition, the U. S. trade embargo severely restricts financial and economic activities with Iraq, including travel-related transactions. Again, United States citizens in Iraq are strongly urged to depart as soon as possible. No. 98-002 This replaces the previous Travel Warning dated June 25, 1997 to reflect the State Department's advice to all Americans in Iraq to depart as soon as possible. Iraq - Consular Information Sheet June 25, 1997 Warning: The Department of State warns all U.S. citizens against travel to Iraq. Conditions throughout the country remain unsettled and dangerous, and U.S. passports are not valid for travel to, in or through Iraq, unless they are validated by the Department of State. The United States does not have diplomatic relations with Iraq. There is no U.S. Embassy in Iraq, and the United States government cannot provide normal consular protective services there to U.S. citizens. U.S. government interests in Iraq are represented by the government of Poland, which, as a protecting power, can provide only limited emergency services to U.S. citizens. In addition, 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 regime under Saddam Hussein. Iraq's economy was seriously damaged in the 1991 Gulf War. UN sanctions have also affected the economy, including increased crime and decreased availability of medical services. 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. Passport Validation: Without the requisite validation, use of a U.S .passport for travel to, in or through Iraq may constitute a violation of 18 USC 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. The categories of individuals eligible for consideration for a special passport validation are set forth in 22 CFR 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 1111 19th Street, NW, Suite 260 Washington, D.C. 20522-1705 Attention:: Office of Passport Policy and Advisory Services Telephone: (202) 955-0231 or 955-0232 Fax: (202) 955-0230 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 CFR. 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, 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 Passport Policy and Advisory Services at [202] 955-0231 or 955-0232. U.S. Treasury Restrictions: In addition to the restrictions on the use of a U.S. passport discussed above, all U.S. persons (defined as "U.S. citizens, permanent resident aliens of the United States, anyone physically located in the United States, and any entity organized under the laws of the United States") are subject to the Iraq Sanctions Regulations administered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). OFAC maintains a 24-hour fax-on-demand service (202) 622-0077, which offers up-to-date information about the embargo on Iraq. In August 1990, former President Bush issued Executive Orders 12722 and 12724, imposing economic sanctions against Iraq, including a complete trade embargo. OFAC 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 on official U.S. government or UN business. Sanctions regulations prohibit all U.S. persons from engaging in unauthorized travel-related transactions to or within Iraq. Please note, however, that transactions relating to travel for journalistic activity by persons regularly employed in such capacity by a news gathering organization are exempt from the prohibition. Please note as well that U.S. persons may engage in travel-related transactions for the sole purpose of visiting immediate family members in Iraq, provided that the U.S persons seeking travel obtain a license from 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. Questions concerning these restrictions should be addressed directly to: Licensing Division Office of Foreign Assets Control U.S. Department of the Treasury Washington, DC 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 Resolutions set terms for a permanent cease-fire in 1991, but conditions in Iraq remain unsettled. Travel in Iraq is extremely hazardous, particularly for U.S. citizens. Regional conflicts continue in northern Iraq among various Iraqi, foreign groups, and government security forces. The U.S. government has received information that hostile elements may plan to conduct violent activities directed toward U.S. citizens, other foreign nationals, and facilities in northern Iraq. In southern Iraq, governmental repression of the Shia communities is severe. US citizens in Kuwait working near the Kuwait-Iraq border are in jeopardy of detention by Iraqi security personnel. A number of U.S.citizens and other foreigners working near or traveling to the Kuwait-Iraq border have been detained by Iraqi authorities for lengthy periods under harsh conditions. 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. Information on health problems can be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's international travelers hotline at telephone (404) 332-4559, or on the Internet at http://www.cdc.gov. 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, US Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 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 UN Security Council resolutions. As a result, the risk of terrorism directed against U.S. citizens in Iraq remains a continuing concern. Embassy Location/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 the Travel 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. Inquiries on the present local situation, like traffic safety and road conditions or currency regulations, should be made to the U.S. Interests Section of the Embassy of Poland. The Polish Embassy is located opposite the Foreign Ministry Club (Masbah Quarter); PO Box 2447 Alwiyah, Baghdad, Iraq. The telephone number is (964)(1) 719-6138, 719-6139, 719-3791, or 718-1840. No. 97-108 This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated September 15, 1994 to amend information in the areas of instability about conditions in northern Iraq and to provide the Internet address for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- 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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