From: owner-travel-advisories Subject: NEW TRAVEL INFO -- Rwanda Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories Date: Mon, 4 May 1998 15:14:19 GMT Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die Xref: world wstd.travel.advisories:1713 Path: world!bzs Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Message-ID: <199805041117_MC2-3BDA-10E4@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 X-List-Info: LN=travel-advisories WHOM=76702.1202@compuserve.com Lines: 129 STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Rwanda ============================================================ Rwanda -Travel Warning May 1, 1998 The Department of State warns U.S. citizens to defer travel to Rwanda. The country continues to suffer from insurgent attacks, particularly in the northwest quadrant of the country. Poor communication, transportation and health services continue to make travel in Rwanda difficult and potentially hazardous. For further information on travel to Rwanda, consult the Department of States's latest Consular Information Sheet on Rwanda. No. 98-008 This replaces the Travel Warning dated February 14, 1997, to note the continued security problems in Rwanda. Rwanda - Consular Information Sheet March 6, 1997 Warning: The Department of State warns U.S. citizens to defer travel to Rwanda. Violent attacks and terrorist threats against foreign aid workers have increased since mid-January 1997 and the country suffers from low-intensity insurgent attacks in all areas. Poor communication, transportation, and health services also continue to make travel in Rwanda difficult and potentially hazardous. Country Description: Rwanda is a central/east African country recovering from years of ethnic strife and civil war that culminated in a three-month genocide ending July 1994. Over one million Rwandans who fled at that time returned from neighboring countries between October and December 1996. With the onset of long-awaited genocide trials at the end of 1996, the reconciliation of Hutus and Tutsis and the provision of basic needs remain the major concerns of the Rwandan government. Infrastructure damaged in the war is slowly being repaired, but services such as telephone, electricity, and water are not reliable, particularly outside the capital city of Kigali. Tourism facilities in Rwanda are very limited. International air services generally operate on schedule. Entry Requirements: A passport, a visa, and evidence of yellow fever immunization are required. Airport visas are unavailable and visitors attempting to enter without a visa are often deported. Work permits must be requested by the employer before entry into Rwanda. For more information, travelers should contact the Embassy of the Republic of Rwanda, 1714 New Hampshire Ave., N.W., Washington D.C. 20009; telephone: 202-232-2882, fax: 202-232-4544. Overseas, inquiries may be made at the nearest Rwandan embassy or consulate. Areas of Instability: While there has been no open warfare since mid-1994, Rwanda continues to suffer from insurgent attacks by former soldiers and extremists who slipped into Rwanda with the massive refugee return in late 1996. Since January 1997, several foreign aid workers have been killed in a series of shootings targeting them in Cyangugu, Gisenyi, Kibuye, and Ruhengeri prefectures. This includes the area where the mountain gorillas are located. At the same time, terrorist threats against foreigners from elements of the former military who returned with the refugees have intensified. American citizens are reported to be of particular interest to these elements. Curfews are sporadically applied in some areas and may not be apparent to visitors. Visitors are strongly encouraged to consult with local authorities before traveling outside Kigali. Traffic Safety and Road Conditions: Excessive speed, unpredictable local driving habits, poorly maintained roads, and the lack of basic safety equipment on many vehicles are daily hazards on Rwandan roads. Public transportation is limited and generally unsafe. Travelers are subjected to frequent stops at roadblocks throughout the country, during which their vehicles and luggage may be searched. Despite demining efforts, land mines are prevalent in many areas of the country, particularly in Byumba, Cyangugu, Kigali, and Kigali rural prefectures; unpaved roads and uncultivated fields are especially hazardous. Medical Facilities: Medical facilities are extremely limited and trained medical personnel are in short supply. Doctors and hospitals expect cash payment for services and will not accept U.S. medical insurance. The Medicare/Medicaid Program does not provide for payment of medical services outside the United States. Supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage and a medical evacuation provision is recommended. Travelers generally bring their own supplies of prescription drugs and preventive medicines. For additional health information, travelers may contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's international travelers hotline at (404) 332-4559, Internet: http://www.cdc.gov/. Information on Crime: Pickpocketing in crowded public places is common as is petty theft from cars and hotel rooms. 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 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. Currency Regulations: The Rwandan franc is exchangeable for hard currencies in bureaux de change and banks. Several Kigali banks can handle wire transfers from U.S. banks; banks outside Kigali are slowly re-opening. Credit cards are accepted at only a few hotels in Kigali and only to settle hotel bills. Travelers should expect to handle most expenses, including air tickets, in cash. Registration/Embassy Location: U.S. citizens who plan to enter Rwanda are urged to register at the U.S. Embassy located at Boulevard de la Revolution, B.P. 28, Kigali. The telephone number is (250) 75601/75602 and the fax number is (250) 72128. No. 97-040 This replaces the Consular Information Sheet issued April 17, 1996 to add the revised Travel Warning and a section on traffic safety and road conditions, and to update information on country description and areas of instability. ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- 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