Xref: world wstd.travel.advisories:876 Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories Path: world!cutter From: Wally Doerge <76702.1202@compuserve.com> Subject: NEW TRAVEL INFO -- Zaire Message-ID: <951113160542_76702.1202_CHN62-1@CompuServe.COM> Precedence: bulk Sender: cutter@world.std.com (daemons) Organization: The World Public Access UNIX, Brookline, MA Distribution: wstd Date: Mon, 13 Nov 1995 16:05:43 GMT Approved: usenet@world.std.com Lines: 148 STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Zaire ============================================================ Zaire - Consular Information Sheet November 9, 1995 Country Description: Zaire is the largest Sub-Saharan African country. Despite plentiful human and natural resources, it is in a deep political and economic crisis which has resulted in the dramatic deterioration of its physical infrastructure, insecurity and increased crime in cities, occasional official hostility to U.S. citizens and other expatriates, periodic shortages of basic items such as gasoline, chronic shortages of medical supplies, high inflation, corruption, and in some areas, serious malnutrition. Tourism facilities are minimal and only essential travel is recommended. Entry Requirements: A visa must be obtained in advance. Travelers should obtain the latest information from the Zairan Embassy, 1800 New Hampshire Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20009 at (202) 234-7690 or 234-7691, or Zaire's Permanent Mission to the U.N. at 2 Henry Avenue, North Caldwell, New Jersey 07006, telephone (201) 812-1636. Overseas, inquiries should be made at the nearest Zarian Embassy or Consulate. Areas of Instability: (North and South Kivu Provinces) - Rwandan refugees near the cities of Goma and Bukavu still number in the hundreds of thousands. Foreigners have been the subject of attacks by armed bandits, some of which have resulted in fatalities. Explosive incidents in the Goma region, many involving landmines, have increased dramatically in recent months. (Urban Areas) - Military mutinies in 1991 and 1993 caused many deaths and major property loss, damage, and destruction in Kinshasa and elsewhere. The underlying causes of these mutinies -- the inability of the Zairan government to pay the military enough to support themselves and their families -- have not been resolved. Civil disturbances, including looting and the possibility of physical harm, can occur without warning in all urban areas. Corrupt Zairan security personnel may seek bribes to perform their duties, or single out foreigners and stop them on the street for proof of immigration status. Travelers are advised not to be belligerent if confronted with these situations and to contact the U.S. Embassy if taken into custody. Medical Facilities: Medical facilities are limited and medicine is in short supply. Doctors and hospitals expect immediate cash payment in full for health services. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid or accepted 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. For additional information, travelers can contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's International Travelers hotline (404) 332-4559. Information on Crime: The deterioration of Zaire's economy has led to an increase in crime. Vehicle thefts, including armed carjackings, occur, as do burglaries and other crimes. 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. 20420. In Country Travel: Intercity roads are difficult at all times and often impassable in the rainy season. When driving in cities, individuals should keep windows up and doors locked. At roadblocks or checkpoints, documents are shown through closed windows. Visitors to the interior may be required to obtain a "mining permit" in Kinshasa before continuing the trip, regardless of the purpose of the trip. (Zaire/Congo Border Crossing) - 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 Border Crossing) - Ferry service to the Central African Republic is not reliable. Currency Regulations: The foreign exchange office at N'Djili airport in Kinshasa is closed. U.S. dollars and travelers checks can, in theory, be exchanged for local currency (New Zaire's) at banks, but there is often insufficient new Zaire cash on hand to make transactions. Visitors may be given an unfavorable rate of exchange, making any daily necessities extremely expensive. Credit cards are not widely accepted outside of a few major hotels. Taking Zairan currency out of the country is illegal. With the continued devaluation of the new Zaire currency, U.S. dollar cash has become a popular means for unofficial transactions greater than 100 dollars. Participating in unofficial money exchanges, however, is illegal. Foreigners have been picked up for infractions and had their money confiscated. Large denominations of U.S. currency may not be widely accepted. Photography Restrictions: Photography of public buildings, military installations, and the banks of the Congo River is forbidden. Offenders can expect to be arrested, held for at least several hours, and fined. Film and cameras 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/Embassy Location: U.S. citizens are encouraged to register at the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Zaire. The U.S. Embassy is at 310 Avenue des Aviateurs, Kinshasa. The telephone number is (243-12) 21532 or 21628. The Consular section of the Embassy is located at Avenue d'Isiro, Mobil Building; the telephone number is (243-12) 21532, extension 2376. Telephone service is often unreliable and cellular phones are becoming increasing popular. The Embassy's cellular switchboard phone number is (243-88) 43608. American staff left the Consulate General in Lubumbashi in 1991; the caretaker staff at the Consulate cannot provide consular assistance. No. 95-145 This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated September 2, 1994 to update paragraphs on entry requirements, areas of instability, crime information, in country travel and Embassy phone numbers. ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- 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