From: Wally Doerge <76702.1202@compuserve.com>
Subject: NEW TRAVEL INFO -- Swaziland
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Date: Mon, 5 Feb 1996 14:30:31 GMT
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STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Swaziland
============================================================
Swaziland - Consular Information Sheet
 January 26, 1996

 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
 Office of the Spokesman
 For Immediate Release

On January 24, 1996, the U.S. Embassy in Mbabane advised the local 
American community to defer non-essential travel within Swaziland 
because of the potential for violence as a result of an ongoing 
labor strike.  Essential services such as power, water and telephone 
have been affected.  The international airport is closed.  This 
Public Announcement will expire February 2, 1996.

For further information on travel to Swaziland consult the 
Department of State's Consular Information Sheet of February 3, 1995.


Swaziland - Consular Information Sheet
 February 2, 1996

Country Description:  Swaziland is a small developing nation in 
southern Africa.  Facilities for tourism are available.

Entry Requirements:  Travelers should obtain the latest information 
and details from the Embassy of the Kingdom of Swaziland, 3400 
International Drive, N.W., Suite 3M, Washington, D.C., 20004, 
Telephone (202) 362-6683.  Overseas inquiries should be made to the 
nearest Swaziland Embassy or consulate.

Medical Facilities:  Medical facilities are limited.  Doctors and 
hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health 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 the United States.  In some cases, 
supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas and medical 
evacuation coverage has proven useful.  Information on health 
matters can be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention's international travelers hotline at (404) 332-4559.

Areas of Instability:  In the last two years mass stay-aways 
(strikes) have resulted from a long-simmering dispute between the 
government and the labor movement.  Virtually all commerical 
services, including airports, close down for several days at a time. 
 These labor actions are rare, however further labor/political 
unrest is possible at any time.  The potential for violence exists 
when the labor actions are in progress, particularly in Mbabane and 
in the largest city, Manzini, as police and demonstrators often 
clash in the streets.

Crime Information:  Petty street crime, primarily theft of money 
and personal property, occurs with some frequency.  Occasional armed 
carjackings of automobiles have taken place in Manzini, and, less 
frequently, in Mbabane and outlying areas of Swaziland.  The loss or 
theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to 
local police and to the U.S. Embassy.  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 Safety/Automobile Travel:  Swaziland has an excellent network 
of national roads, and secondary roads are quite good.  Traffic 
circulates on the left in Swaziland rather than on the right as in 
the United States.

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.

Embassy Location/Registration:  U.S. citizens are encouraged to 
register at the U.S. Embassy in Mbabane and may obtain updated 
information on travel and security in Swaziland.  The U.S. Embassy 
is located in the Central Bank Building on Warner Street in the 
capital city of Mbabane.  The mailing address is Box 199, Mbabane, 
Swaziland.  The Embassy telephone number is (268) 46441.  The fax 
number is (268) 45959.

 No.  96-009

This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated February 3, 
1995, to update information on entry requirements and registration 
and Embassy location; and, to include information on areas of 
instability and road safety and automobile travel.


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