From: owner-travel-advisories Subject: NEW TRAVEL INFO -- Togo Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1998 14:24:31 GMT Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die Xref: world wstd.travel.advisories:1888 Path: world!bzs Message-ID: <199808311028_MC2-57D2-AA30@compuserve.com> Sender: "U.S. Department of State" <76702.1202@compuserve.com> Approved: usenet@world.std.com Distribution: wstd Precedence: bulk Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-List-Info: LN=travel-advisories WHOM=76702.1202@compuserve.com Content-Disposition: inline Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Mime-Version: 1.0 Lines: 179 STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Togo ============================================================ Togo - Public Announcement August 30, 1998 On August 30, the American Embassy in Lome, Togo informed the local American community of the following: Due to a security alert, all official U.S. government facilities will be closed Monday, August 31 and, possibly, additional days. The Embassy advises Americans in Togo to avoid all U.S. facilities on August 31 and to check by telephone before visiting any U.S. facility. For emergency citizens services, contact the U.S. Embassy in Lome by telephone at (228) 217-717. For further information on travel to Togo, please consult the Department's Consular Information Sheet on Togo. This Public Announcement expires November 29, 1998. Togo - Public Announcement June 30, 1998 On June 30, the American Embassy in Lome, Togo, informed the local American community of the following: "In the aftermath of the June 21 presidential elections, downtown Lome has been the site of several demonstrations, some of which have turned violent. In some neighborhoods, police fired tear gas into crowds after demonstrators burned cars and tires, and threw rocks. Unrest and clashes between protesters and security forces also have been reported in other towns across Togo. The government of Togo has announced that it is banning demonstrations until further notice. In addition, Togo has closed its border with Ghana, and further border openings/closings are unpredictable. In view of these developments, the U.S. Embassy advises all Americans to exercise caution in moving around Lome and other areas of Togo over the next several weeks. Americans should avoid political demonstrations." For further information on travel to Togo, please consult the Department's Consular Information Sheet on Togo. This Public Announcement supercedes the Public Announcement issued June 25, 1998 and expires on September 29, 1998. Togo - Consular Information Sheet July 10, 1998 Country Description: Togo is a small west African nation with a developing economy. French is the official language. Tourism facilities are limited, especially outside Lome, the capital city. Entry Requirements: A passport and visa are required. Proof of yellow fever immunization is required. Travelers should obtain the latest information and details from the Embassy of the Republic of Togo, 2208 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008. The telephone number is (202) 234-4212. Overseas inquiries should be made at the nearest Togolese embassy or consulate. Areas of Instability: Togo has experienced periodic violence and strikes since 1993. The June 1998 Presidential election sparked renewed political tension that has led to a clampdown by security forces, particularly in Lome. As Togo grapples with this period of unrest, the government may open/close its border with Ghana from time to time. Motorists should be prepared to stop at numerous police checkpoints at night in Lome. U.S. citizens should avoid downtown Lome during political demonstrations and maintain security awareness at all times. Power Shortages: From February to May 1998, Lome experienced acute power outages lasting at times more than 24 hours. Although Togo is taking measures to remedy its energy crisis, it is not yet certain that the problem has been completely solved. Medical Facilities: Medical facilities in Togo are limited. There is no emergency medical care. Some medicines are available through local pharmacies. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health care 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. Travelers have found supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas and medical evacuation coverage to be useful. For additional health information, travelers can contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's international travelers hotline at 1-888-232-3228 or the toll-free CDC autofax at 1-888-232-3299 or via the Internet at http://www.cdc.gov. Information on Crime: Pickpocketing and theft are common, especially along the beach and in the market areas of Lome. There has been an increase in reports of carjacking. Business fraud stemming from Nigerian scam operations targets Americans and poses dangers of financial loss and physical harm. Persons contemplating business deals in Togo with individuals promoting investment in Nigeria, especially the Central Bank of Nigeria or the Nigerian National Petroleum Company, are strongly urged to check with the U.S. Department of Commerce or the U.S. Department of State before providing any information, making financial commitments, or traveling to Togo. 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 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, via the Internet at http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs, or via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov. Drug Penalties: U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the country in which they are traveling. In Togo, the penalties for possession, use or trafficking in illegal drugs are strictly enforced. Convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and fines. Traffic Safety and Road Conditions: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions which differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Togo is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance. Safety of Public Transportation: Poor Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance: Poor Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance: Poor Availability of Roadside Assistance: Poor Intercity roads are generally paved; however, conditions are poor and dangerous with pedestrians and livestock often on the roadways. Overland travel off the main network of roads generally requires a four-wheel drive vehicle. Poorly-marked armed checkpoints, often manned by undisciplined soldiers, exist throughout the country. Nighttime travel on unfamiliar roads is dangerous. Banditry, ranging from extortion by security forces to armed robbery, has been reported on all major intercity highways, including the Lome-Cotonou coastal highway. Credit Card Usage: Not all major credit cards are accepted in Togo. Travelers planning to use credit cards should know which cards are accepted before they commit to any transaction. Aviation Safety Oversight: As there is no direct commercial air service by local carriers at present, or economic authority to operate such service, between the U.S. and Togo, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed Togo's civil aviation authority for compliance with international aviation safety standards for oversight of Togo's air carrier operations. For further information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation within the U.S. at 1-800-322-7873, or visit the FAA Internet home page at http://www.faa.gov/avr/iasa.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 (703) 697-7288. Embassy Location/Registration: U.S. citizens are encouraged to register with the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Lome at the intersection of Rue Pelletier Caventou and Rue Vauban, telephone (228) 21-29-91, and to obtain updated information on travel and security in Togo. The Embassy's fax is (228) 21-79-52 and its mailing address is B.P. 852, Lome. No. 98-92 This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated April 8, 1998 to update information on Areas of Instability, Crime, Power Outages, and Traffic Safety and Road Conditions. ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- 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