Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories From: 76702.1202@CompuServe.COM (Wally Doerge) Subject: ALL: NEW TRAVEL INFO -- Zaire Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die Distribution: wstd Date: Tue, 11 Jan 1994 14:33:34 GMT STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Zaire ============================================================ Zaire - Consular Information Sheet January 10, 1994 Country Description: Zaire is the largest sub-Saharan African country. It has substantial human and natural resources, but for the past several years, the country has suffered a profound political and economic crisis which has resulted in the dramatic deterioration of the physical infrastructure of the country; insecurity and an increase in crime in urban areas (including occasional episodes of looting and murder in Kinshasa's streets); occasional official hostility to U.S. citizens and nationals of European countries; periodic shortages of basic needs such as gasoline; chronic shortages of medicine and supplies for some basic medical care; hyperinflation; corruption; and in some urban areas, malnutrition of the local population to the point of starvation. Tourism facilities are minimal. Entry Requirements: A passport, visa and vaccination certificate showing valid yellow fever and cholera immunizations are required for entry into Zaire. Intending travelers are advised that the government of Zaire announced in 1993 that visas would not be issued to nationals of countries practicing "discriminatory" visa policies toward Zairians. Although the government did not name the countries to which this edict would be applied, it is presumed that Zairian visas will become more difficult for U.S. citizens to obtain. In addition, some travelers are currently obliged to transit the Congo to reach Kinshasa which means a Congo visa may also be necessary. U.S. citizens may not be able to obtain a visa at Zairian embassies in neighboring countries; it is suggested that travelers apply at the Zairian Embassy in Washington well in advance of any planned trip. Visa fees are apt to be high. For entry information, the traveler may contact the Embassy of the Republic of Zaire, 1800 New Hampshire Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20009. The telephone number is (202) 234-7690 or 234-7691. Travelers may also contact Zaire's Permanent Mission to the U.N. at 747 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017, telephone (212) 754-1966. Areas of Instability: Although there are several flights each week between Kinshasa and European cities, schedules are often disrupted by security problems in Kinshasa or neighboring Brazzaville. There have been instances of shooting into Kinshasa from Brazzaville and of shell fragments falling on Kinshasa from fighting in Brazzaville. During these occasions, the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa has alerted U.S. citizens to the precautions to be observed. In September 1991 and January 1993, there were major episodes of military mutiny in Kinshasa, resulting in many deaths and major property theft, damage and destruction. Similar events occurred in late November 1993 in the provincial capital of Kananga. The underlying cause of these mutinies--the inability of the Government to pay the military sufficiently to enable them to support themselves and their families--has not been resolved. Civil disturbances, including looting and the possibility of physical harm, can occur without warning in all urban areas of Zaire. Dependents of U.S. Embassy personnel were withdrawn from the country in September 1991 and restrictions on families are still in effect. Zairian security personnel are increasingly suspicious of foreigners and sometimes stop them on the street for proof of immigration status. Some foreigners, especially journalists, have been arrested for contacting members of the Zairian opposition parties. Border control personnel scrutinize passports, visas, and vaccination certificates for any possible irregularity and sometimes seek bribes to perform their official functions. Travelers are requested to be cautious and polite if confronted with these situations and to contact the U.S. Embassy if taken into custody. Medical Facilities: Medical facilities are extremely limited. Medicine is in short supply. Doctors and hospitals expect immediate cash payment in full for health services. Not all U.S. medical insurance is valid outside the United States. Travelers have found supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage to be of use. Specific information on health matters may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control's international travelers hotline, telephone (404) 332-4559. Information on Crime: The continued deterioration of Zaire's economy has led to an increase in armed street crime, especially in Kinshasa, where violent crime is commonplace. Vehicle thefts, including hijackings at gunpoint, are on the increase. Burglaries and other crimes also occur. 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. In-Country Travel: Most intercity roads are difficult or impassable in the rainy season. When driving in cities, individuals often keep windows rolled up and doors locked. At roadblocks or checkpoints, documents are displayed through closed windows. A special exit permit from Zaire's Immigration Department and a visa >from an Embassy of the Congo are required to cross the Congo River >from Kinshasa to Brazzaville. A government "mining permit" may be required to travel to large areas of the country, regardless of the visitor's purpose in going there. This permit must be obtained before entering the "mining zone." Currency Regulations: The Foreign Exchange Office at N'djili Airport in Kinshasa closed in September 1991. While U.S. dollars and travelers checks can, in theory, be exchanged for local currency (zaires) at banks in Kinshasa, banks often do not have sufficient Zaire cash on hand to make transactions. Visitors may be given an unfavorable rate of exchange, making any daily necessities extremely expensive. Participating in the unofficial, "parallel" money exchanges that flourish in some areas is illegal. Some foreigners have been picked up for infractions of this type and had their money confiscated. Credit cards are accepted at a few major hotels and restaurants. It is illegal to take Zairian currency out of the country. Photography Restrictions: Photography of public buildings and/or military installations is forbidden, including photography of the banks of the Congo River. Offenders can expect to be arrested, held for a minimum of several hours, and fined. Drug Penalties: U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the country in which they are traveling. Penalties for possession, use and trafficking in illegal drugs are strictly enforced. Convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and fines. Registration: U.S. citizens are asked to register at the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa and obtain updated information on travel and security within Zaire. Embassy Location: The U.S. Embassy is at 310 Avenue des Aviateurs in the capital city of Kinshasa. The mailing address is American Embassy, Unit 31550, APO AE 09828, and the telephone number is (243-12) 21532 or 21628. The Consular section of the U.S. Embassy is located at Avenue d'Isiro, Mobil Building; the telephone number is (243-12) 21532, extension 2376. The U.S. Embassy has been operating with a severely reduced staff since September 1991. All American staff and their dependents were evacuated from the Consulate General in Lubumbashi in 1991, and have not been permitted to return. The caretaker staff at the Consulate in Lubumbashi cannot provide consular assistance. No. 94-003 This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated December 10, 1993, to provide additional information concerning the effects of Brazzaville's security situation on Kinshasa.