From: owner-travel-advisories Subject: NEW TRAVEL INFO -- Spain Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories Date: Mon, 21 Jul 1997 16:13:34 GMT Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die Xref: world wstd.travel.advisories:1408 Path: world!bzs Message-ID: <970721161333_76702.1202_CHN56-1@CompuServe.COM> Precedence: bulk Sender: bzs@world.std.com (daemons) Distribution: wstd Approved: usenet@world.std.com Lines: 157 STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Spain ============================================================ Spain - Public Announcement July 18, 1997 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesman The potential for localized violence exists in the larger cities of the Basque Autonomous Region (Pais Vasco) of Spain during the remainder of July and throughout August. Demonstrations against a recent assassination by the terrorist group ETA and counter-demonstration plans by the Basque separatist party Herri Batasuna (HB) could result in sporadic street violence. Demonstrations in San Sebastian planned by HB for July 19 and 27 have been outlawed by the government, but the potential for clashes between HB supporters and opponents remains possible in specific urban areas, primarily San Sebastian, for the rest of the summer. The Department of State urges American citizens resident in or traveling through urban centers of the Basque Autonomous Region of Spain during this period to avoid demonstrations or other large public gatherings because of the potential for violence. American citizens already in Spain may contact the Consular Section of the U. S. Embassy for current security information. The Embassy is located at Serrano 75 in Madrid; telephone (34) (3) 577-4000. For further general information on travel to Spain, consult the latest Department of State Consular Information Sheet. This Public Announcement expires on August 31, 1997. Spain and Andorra - Consular Information Sheet July 26, 1996 Country Descriptions: Spain and Andorra are both highly developed and stable democracies with modern economies. Entry Requirements: A passport is necessary but a visa is not required for tourist or business stays of up to three months. For further information concerning entry requirements for Spain, travelers may contact the Embassy of Spain at 2375 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20037 tel.: (202) 728-2330, or the nearest Spanish consulate in Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, or San Juan. Further information on Andorra can also be obtained from the Andorran Mission to the U.N., 2 U.N. Plaza, 25th Floor, New York NY 10018, tel. (212) 750-8064. Medical Facilities: Good medical care is available. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. Travelers have found that supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage has proven to be useful. Further information on health matters can be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's international travelers hotline on (404) 332-4559 or visit the CDC home page on the Internet at http://www.cdc.gov. Crime Information: Spain has a very low, but rising, rate of violent crime. Nevertheless, minor crimes such as pickpocketing, robbery, and theft from cars are frequent, and are often directed against unwary tourists. Thieves often attempt to distract their victims by squirting mustard on their clothing, asking for directions on the street, or otherwise diverting attention from an accomplice. Thefts of small items like radios, luggage, cameras, briefcases, and even cigarettes from parked cars are a common problem. The American Embassy in Madrid has issued a notice to U.S. citizens stating that it frequently receives reports of roadside thieves posing as "good Samaritans" to persons experiencing car and tire problems. The thieves typically attempt to divert the driver's attention by pointing out a mechanical problem and then steal items from the vehicle while the driver is looking elsewhere. The problem is particularly acute with vehicles rented at Madrid's Barajas airport. The Embassy notice advises drivers to be extremely cautious about accepting help from anyone other than a uniformed Spanish police officer or Civil Guard. Travelers who accept unofficial assistance are advised to protect their valuables by keeping them in sight or locking them in the vehicle. Bags or other articles left unattended in Spain are likely to disappear. Andorra has a low rate of crime. The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. U.S. citizens may refer to the Department of State's pamphlet "A Safe Trip Abroad" for ways to promote a more trouble-free journey. It is 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. In Spain, penalties for possession, use, or dealing in illegal drugs are strict, and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and fines. Terrorist Activities: The ETA Basque terrorist organization remains active in Spain. A smaller Marxist group, Grapo, has been inactive recently. ETA efforts have historically been directed against police, military, and other Spanish government targets. Americans have not specifically been targets of these attacks. In summer 1996, several small, homemade bombs exploded in areas frequented by tourists, including a bus station, regional airport, water amusement park and tourist hotels. In most cases, the size and location of the bombs indicate that they were not meant to cause serious injury, but rather to frighten the throngs of summer tourists visiting Spanish monuments and resorts. However, in one incident, several tourists were injured. These anti-tourist attacks have occurred every summer for the past several years. Registration and Embassy Location: The U.S. Embassy in Madrid is located at Serrano 75; telephone (34) (1) 577-4000. U.S. citizens who register in the Consular Section at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate listed below may obtain updated information on travel and security within Spain. There is a U.S. Consulate in Barcelona, at Paseo Reina Elisenda 23-25, telephone (34) (3) 280-2227. The Consulate in Bilbao closed in early 1996. There are also Consular Agencies in these locations: Malaga, at Centro Comercial "Las Rampas", Fase 2, Planta 1, Locales 12-G-7 and 12-G-8, Fuengirola, telephone (34) (952) 474-891, hours 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.; La Coruna, at Canton Grande 16-17, telephone (34) (981) 213-233, hours 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.; Las Palmas, at Edificio Arca, Calle Los Martinez de Escobar 3, Oficina 7, telephone (34) (928) 222-552, hours 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.; Palma de Mallorca, Ave. Jaime III, 26 Entresuelo, 2-H-1 (97), telephone (34) (971) 725-051, hours 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.; Seville, at Paseo de Las Delicias 7, telephone (34) (954) 231-885, hours 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m to 4:30 p.m.; Valencia, at Cl. de La Paz 6-5, Local 5, telephone (34) (96)-351-6973, hours 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. For Andorra, contact the Consulate in Barcelona. No. 96-140 This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated December 4, 1995, to update information on terrorist activities, to update the address of a consular agency and to include the CDC internet address. ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- 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