Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories
From: 76702.1202@CompuServe.COM (Charlie Smith)
Subject: *NEW* TRAVEL INFORMATION -- Qatar
Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die
Distribution: wstd
Date: Tue, 12 Jan 1993 19:06:45 GMT
STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Qatar
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Qatar - Consular Information Sheet
 January 8, 1993

Embassy Location:  The U.S. Embassy is located at 149 Ali Bin Ahmed 
St., Farig Bin Omran, in Doha, Qatar (opposite the TV station), P.O. 
Box 2399.  The telephone number is (974) 864-701/702/703.  The 
workweek in Qatar is Saturday through Wednesday.

Country Description:  Qatar is a traditional emirate, governed by 
the Al-Thani family in consultation with a council of ministers and 
a legislative advisory council.  Islamic ideals and beliefs provide 
the conservative foundation of the country's customs, laws and 
practices.  Qatar is a modern, developed country, and tourist 
facilities are widely available.

Entry Requirements:  Passports and visas are required.  Visitors 
must have a business or personal sponsor.  For further entry 
information, travelers can contact the Embassy of the State of 
Qatar, Suite 1180, 600 New Hampshire Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 
20037, telephone (202) 338-0111.

Medical Facilities:  Basic modern medical care and medicines are 
available in several hospitals and health centers in Qatar.  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:  Crime is generally not a problem for 
travelers in Qatar.  However, useful information on safeguarding 
valuables and protecting personal security while traveling abroad is 
provided in the Department of State pamphlet, "A Safe Trip Abroad."  
It is 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 the Middle East and North Africa" contains general 
information on travel in the region.  It is available from the 
Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, 
Washington D.C. 20402.

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

 No. 93-022