Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories
From: 76702.1202@CompuServe.COM (Charlie Smith)
Subject: *NEW* TRAVEL INFORMATION -- Lesotho
Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die
Distribution: wstd
Date: Wed, 6 Jan 1993 15:57:46 GMT
STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Lesotho
============================================================
Lesotho - Consular Information Sheet
 December 24, 1992

Embassy Location:  The U.S. Embassy is located at 254 Kingsway, 
Maseru West; the mailing address is P.O. Box 333, Maseru 100, 
Lesotho.  The telephone number is (266) 312-666.

Country Description:  Lesotho is a developing country in southern 
Africa.  Facilities for tourists are limited.

Entry Requirements:  Visas are issued upon arrival at the point of 
entry for stays of three months or less, and can be extended.  
Travelers can contact the Embassy of the Kingdom of Lesotho, 2511 
Massachusetts Avenue N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, for further 
information regarding entry requirements.  The telephone number is 
(202) 797-5533.

Medical Facilities:  Medical facilities are minimal.  Many 
medicines are unavailable.  Doctors and hospitals often expect 
immediate cash payment for health care services.  U.S. medical 
insurance is not always valid outside the United States.  
Supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage has 
proved useful.  Information on health matters can be obtained from 
the Centers for Disease Control's international travelers hotline, 
telephone (404) 332-4559.

Information on Crime:  Deteriorating economic conditions in the 
country, aggravated by the return of large numbers of unemployed 
miners from South Africa, have caused an increase in the frequency 
of armed robberies, break-ins, and auto thefts.  This occurs 
primarily in the capital city, but can occur elsewhere as well.  
Victims have included members of the foreign diplomatic corps and 
foreign aid missions.  During the past year an American was shot, a 
French woman and an Irish man were kidnapped and a Swedish woman was 
killed, all during auto thefts.  Traveling alone or at night is 
particularly dangerous.  Useful information on safeguarding 
valuables and protecting personal security while traveling abroad is 
provided in the pamphlet, "A Safe Trip Abroad", available from the 
Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, 
Washington, D.C. 20402.

Drug Penalties:  Penalties for possession, use or trafficking in 
illegal drugs are strict and convicted offenders can expect jail 
sentences and fines.  

Tips for Travelers:  The Department of State publication "Tips for 
Travelers to Sub-Saharan Africa" is available from the 
Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, 
Washington, D.C. 20402.  It contains general information on travel 
in the region.

Registration:  U.S. citizens who register at the U.S. Embassy can 
obtain updated information on travel and security within the 
country.  

 No. 92-149


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