From: owner-travel-advisories Subject: NEW TRAVEL INFO -- Syria Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories Date: Fri, 13 Mar 1998 15:00:49 GMT Organization: The World Public Access UNIX, Brookline, MA Xref: world wstd.travel.advisories:1647 Path: world!crb Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Message-ID: <199803131003_MC2-36A1-FA51@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 Lines: 118 STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Syria ============================================================ Syria - Consular Information Sheet March 11, 1998 Country Description: The Syrian Arab Republic has a developing, mixed-sector economy. The ruling Ba'th Party espouses a largely secular ideology, but Islamic traditions and beliefs provide a conservative foundation for the country's customs and practices. The constitution refers to Islamic jurisprudence as a principal source of legislation, but the legal system remains influenced by French practice. Tourist facilities are widely available, but vary in quality depending on price and location. The work week in Syria is Saturday through Thursday. The U.S. Embassy is open Sunday through Thursday. Entry Requirements: Passports and visas are required. Visas must be obtained prior to arrival in Syria. Entry to Syria is not granted to persons with passports bearing an Israeli visa or entry/exit stamps, or to persons born in the Gaza region or of Gazan descent. Entry into Syria via the land border with Israel is not possible. Foreigners who wish to stay 15 days or more in Syria must register with Syrian Immigration by their 15th day in Syria. Americans between the ages of 18 and 45, who are of Syrian birth or recent descent, are subject to the Syrian compulsory military service requirement, unless they receive an exemption from the Syrian Embassy in the United States prior to their entry into Syria. An AIDS test is not required for foreigners prior to arrival in Syria. However, tests are mandatory for foreigners (age 15 to 60) wishing to reside in Syria. The AIDS test must be conducted in Syria at a facility approved by the Syrian Ministry of Health. A residence permit will not be issued until the absence of the HIV virus has been determined. Foreigners wishing to marry Syrian nationals must also be tested for HIV. For further entry information, travelers may contact the Embassy of the Syrian Arab Republic, 2215 Wyoming Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008; telephone [202] 232-6313. Medical Facilities: Basic medical care and medicines are available in the principal cities of Syria, but not necessarily in outlying areas. 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 has proved useful. Information on health problems can be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's international travelers hotline at [404] 332-4559, via the toll-free CDC autofax service, 888/232-3299, or on the Internet at http://www.cdc.gov. Information on Crime: Crime is generally not a serious problem for travelers in Syria. The loss or theft of a U.S. passport abroad should be reported immediately to local police and to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Useful information on safeguarding valuables, protecting personal security, and other matters while traveling abroad is provided in the Department of State pamphlets, "A Safe Trip Abroad" and "Tips for Travelers to the Middle East and North Africa." They 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 and legal practices of the country in which they travel. Penalties for possession of even small amounts of illegal drugs for personal use are severe in Syria. The penalty in Syria for growing, processing or smuggling drugs is the death penalty, which may be reduced to a minimum of 20 years imprisonment. Traffic Safety and Road Conditions: Driving in Syria requires great caution. Although drivers generally follow traffic signs and signals, they often maneuver aggressively and show little regard for vehicles traveling behind them. Lane markings are usually ignored. Unlike the United States, vehicles within Syrian traffic circles must give way to oncoming traffic. Pedestrians must also exercise caution. Cars parked on sidewalks, deteriorating pavement, and guard posts present obstacles, often forcing pedestrians to walk in the street. Currency Regulations: Syrian currency cannot be exchanged for any other currency except at government-approved exchange centers within Syria. Travelers must declare all foreign currency when they enter Syria. Amounts in excess of $5,000 (U.S.) [or $2,000 (U.S.) for those holding dual Syrian-American nationality] are subject to confiscation upon leaving Syria. Aviation Oversight: As there is no direct commercial air service at present, or economic authority to operate such service, between the U.S. and Syria, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed the Syrian civil aviation authority for compliance with international aviation safety standards. For further information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation within the United States at telephone 1-800-322-7873, or visit the FAA Internet home page at http://www.faa.gov/faahome.htm. The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) separately assesses some foreign air carriers for suitability as official providers of air services. For information regarding the DOD policy on specific carriers, travelers may contact the Pentagon at telephone (703) 697-7288. Registration/U.S. Embassy Location: U.S. citizens are encouraged to register at the U.S. Embassy and obtain updated information on travel and security within Syria. The U.S. Embassy in Damascus, Syria, is located in Abu Roumaneh, Al-Mansur St., No. 2; P.O. Box 29. The telephone numbers are (963) (11) 333-2814, 332-0783, 333-0788, and 333-3232. The fax number is (963) (11) 224-7938. No. 98-024 This replaces the Consular Information Sheet for Syria dated October 2, 1996 to update information on traffic safety and aviation oversight. ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- 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