Xref: world wstd.travel.advisories:558 Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories Path: world!spike From: Wally Doerge <76702.1202@compuserve.com> Subject: ALL: NEW TRAVEL INFO -- Zaire Message-ID: <940906172853_76702.1202_CHN62-1@CompuServe.COM> Precedence: bulk Sender: spike@world.std.com (daemons) Organization: Software Tool & Die Distribution: wstd Date: Tue, 6 Sep 1994 17:28:54 GMT Approved: usenet@world.std.com Lines: 206 STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Zaire ============================================================ Zaire - Consular Information Sheet September 2, 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. 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. Because U.S. citizens may not be able to obtain a visa at Zairian embassies in neighboring countries, travelers may wish to apply at the Zairian Embassy in Washington well in advance of any planned trip. Visa fees are apt to be high. American travelers are requested not to attempt to enter Zaire without a visa. Zairian immigration will generally not comply with U.S. Embassy requests for temporary entry, and travelers may have to wait in the airport until they are able to leave the country on another flight. 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 2 Henry Avenue, North Caldwell, NJ 07006, telephone (201) 812-1636. Areas of Instability: North and South Kivu Provinces - As of July 1994, over a million refugees from the civil war in Rwanda have fled into neighboring parts of Zaire, especially the cities of Goma and Bukavu in the provinces of North and South Kivu. The local economy has not been able to support this massive inflow of people; as a result, transportation, lodging, and food are all extremely difficult to obtain. A cholera epidemic has killed many people, and other epidemics are an imminent threat. Despite efforts to disarm refugees as they enter Zaire, many weapons have entered the area, adding to the general instability. Mortar shells have fallen into Goma, killing dozens of people either directly or because of the mass panic which follows a hit. The U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa has advised Americans not directly connected with the organized refugee relief effort to refrain from visiting or transiting the cities of Goma, Bukavu or the Kivu region. Kinshasa City - Although there are several flights each week between Kinshasa and European cities, schedules may be disrupted by security problems in Kinshasa or neighboring Brazzaville. There have been instances of shooting into Kinshasa from Brazzaville and of mortar 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. All Urban Areas - 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 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. 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 patrol 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 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." Border Crossings: (Zaire/Congo) - 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. Zaire/Central African Republic - There are three ferry crossing points for overland traffic between Zaire and the Central African Republic. They are located at Bangui, Mobaye and Bangassou. Beginning in the summer of 1993, the crossing points at Bangui and Mobaye have been closed to overland tourist traffic on the direct order of President Mobutu of Zaire for security reasons. The ferry crossing point at Bangassou is not affected and remains open. The ferry serving that crossing point has, however, a history of breaking and can be down for weeks at a time, waiting for someone to pay for repairs. In the event it is not functioning, overland groups will be stranded on either side of the border, unable to use the other working, but restricted, ferry crossing points. Local citizens are not affected by these orders, but may also be temporarily stranded at times. Currency Regulations: The Foreign Exchange Office at N'Djili Airport in Kinshasa is closed. 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 new 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 detained or arrested for infractions of this type and had their money confiscated. Credit cards are generally not accepted, except by a few major hotels and restaurants. It is illegal to take Zairian currency out of the country. Because of the continued and rapid devaluation of the new Zaire currency, U.S. dollar cash has become a preferred (although illegal) medium of exchange for unofficial transactions greater than 100 dollars. A number of counterfeit U.S. 100-dollar bills are in circulation. For this reason, 100-dollar bills printed in 1988 are not generally accepted; those printed in 1990 are the most widely accepted. Smaller denominations than 100-dollar bills are also accepted. However, it must be emphasized that any use of non-Zairian currency to make purchases is illegal and may be punished by confiscation of the purchases and payment of a fine. 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. Offenders' film and camera may also be confiscated. 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. Civil Aviation Oversight: In November 1992, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration assessed Zaire's civil aviation authority as not in compliance with international aviation safety oversight standards for Zaire's carriers operating to and from the U.S. Typically, the same level of safety oversight is applied to operations to other destinations. For further information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation at 1-800-322-7873. Registration: All U.S. citizens who register at the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa may 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. 94-213 This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated August 30, 1994, to add the paragraph on aviation oversight.