Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories
From: 76702.1202@compuserve.COM (Wally Doerge)
Subject: ALL:  NEW TRAVEL INFO -- Mali
Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die
Distribution: wstd
Date: Tue, 29 Mar 1994 21:41:42 GMT

STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Mali
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Mali - Consular Information Sheet
 March 25, 1994

Country Description:  Mali is a newly-democratized developing West 
African nation.  Facilities for tourism are limited.

Entry Requirements:  A passport and a visa are required.  For 
further information, travelers may contact the Embassy of the 
Republic of Mali, 2130 R Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.  20008, 
telephone (202) 332-2249.

Areas of Instability:  Insurgent attacks have occurred in the 
Timbuktu, Gao and Kidal regions.  Travel is risky to areas north of 
the Niger River in the Mopti Region, as well as to the areas near 
the Mauritanian Border in the Koulikora and Segou regions.  To date, 
there have been no rebel attacks reported by travelers to the towns 
of Mopti, Segou or Koulikoro.

On March 18, the U.S. Embassy in Bamako issued the following 
statement:  "A written announcement is being circulated in Bamako 
saying that Americans may be targeted for supporting the government 
of President Alpha Konare.  While we have no reason to believe that 
this poses any immediate threat to individual Americans, all 
American citizens are encouraged to be alert and to report any 
unusual events to the American Embassy."

Medical Facilities:  Medical facilities are limited.  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, 
including medical evacuation, has proved to be useful.  Information 
on health matters may be obtained from the Centers for Disease 
Control's international travelers hotline, telephone (404) 332-4559.

Information on Crime:  Petty crime, including pickpocketing and 
purse snatching, is common.  Banditry and vehicle theft occur along 
major travel routes, near the principal cities and in smaller towns. 
 Victims have included foreigners.

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 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 strict and convicted offenders 
can expect jail sentences and fines.

Road Conditions:  Only the roads from Bamako to Mopti and a few 
other roads branching to the south are paved.  Travel on other roads 
is difficult, particularly in the rainy season which runs from 
mid-June to mid-September.  On major roads, stops at customs and 
police checkpoints are frequent.

Photography:  Photography is no longer restricted, except for 
military subjects.  Sometimes officials are unaware of the change in 
this regulation that took place some five years ago.

Currency:  The Malian currency is the CFA franc which is 
exchangeable for French francs at a fixed rate.  Exchange of dollars 
for travelers checks is slow and often involves out-of-date rates.  
Use of credit cards is limited to payment for services at two hotels 
in Bamako.  Cash advances on credit cards are performed by only one 
bank in Mali, the BMCD Bank in Bamako.  A "VISA" credit card is the 
only one that is accepted.

Telephone Service:  International calls are expensive, with calls 
to the United States costing approximately ten dollars a minute.  No 
collect calls can be made from Mali.  Outside the capital, Bamako, 
it is often impossible to obtain an international telephone line.

Registration:  U.S. citizens who register at the U.S. Embassy may 
obtain updated information on travel and security in Mali.

Embassy Location:  The U.S. Embassy is located at the intersection 
of Rue Rochester NY and Rue Mohammed V, in Bamako, the capital city. 
 The mailing address is B.P. 34, Bamako, Mali.  The telephone number 
is (223) 22-54-70.  The fax number is (223) 22-39-33.

 No. 94-038

This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated October 18, 
1993, to add information about the areas of instability.