From: owner-travel-advisories Subject: NEW TRAVEL INFO -- Lesotho Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories Date: Wed, 26 Feb 1997 15:36:55 GMT Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die Xref: world wstd.travel.advisories:1255 Path: world!bzs Message-ID: <970226153654_76702.1202_CHN56-1@CompuServe.COM> Precedence: bulk Sender: bzs@world.std.com (daemons) Distribution: wstd Approved: usenet@world.std.com Lines: 109 STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Lesotho ============================================================ Lesotho - Public Announcement February 11, 1997 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesman In response to the ongoing dissident takeover of police headquarters in Maseru, which started on February 6, 1997, the U.S. Embassy issued the following announcement to the local American community: "The standoff at police headquarters continues undiminished from last week. Americans are advised to avoid police headquarters and the police training center in Maseru. If at all possible, Americans should postpone any unnecessary travel to Maseru until tensions have abated." Additional information on travel to Lesotho can be found in the Department of State's latest Consular Information Sheet. This Public Announcement will expire March 31, 1997. Lesotho - Consular Information Sheet February 25, 1997 Country Description: Lesotho is a developing country in southern Africa. Facilities for tourists are limited. Entry Requirements: For information on entry requirements, travelers may contact the Embassy of the Kingdom of Lesotho, 2511 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, telephone (202) 797-5533. Overseas inquiries should be made to the nearest Lesotho embassy or consulate. Medical Facilities: Medical facilities are minimal. Many medicines are unavailable. Doctors and hospitals often require immediate cash payment for health care 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 of the United States. Travelers have found supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage, including provisions for medical evacuation to be useful. For additional health information, travelers can contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's international travelers hotline, telephone (404) 332-4559. Internet: http://www.cdc.gov. Areas of Instability: Since the resolution of its political unrest in 1994, Lesotho has remained relatively calm except for occasional protests by local labor unions. The security situation can change rather rapidly and travelers are encouraged to contact the U.S. Embassy in Maseru for the latest security guidance. 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 armed robberies, break-ins and auto thefts. This occurs primarily in the capital city of Maseru but can occur elsewhere as well. Victims have included foreign diplomats and members of foreign aid missions. Traveling alone or at night is particularly dangerous. 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 protecting 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. Road Conditions/In-Country Travel: Road travel is difficult, especially during bad weather. A four-wheel drive vehicle is mandatory on dirt roads outside of Maseru. Due to lack of maintenance, some city roads are impassable without a four-wheel drive vehicle and other roads may have limited access to other vehicular traffic. Travelers have experienced unexpected overnight stays in Johannesburg, South Africa, as a result from overbooking and/or flight cancellations of Maseru's local airline. 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/Embassy Location: U.S. citizens are encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy and obtain updated information and travel and security in Lesotho. 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. No. 97-029 This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated November 15, 1995, to include information on in-country travel and update the paragraphs on entry requirements, medical facilities, areas of instability and registration/embassy location. ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- 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