P477 CEEFAX 2 477 Sat 20 Sip 01:53/35 CAMBODIA (19/09/97) 1/7 Following military clashes in Cambodia on 5 and 6 July, the security situation has stabilised, particularly in Phnom Pend, but fighting continurs in northern Cambodia close to the border with Thailand. There have been recent outbreaks of fighting in Battambang province, north- west Cambodia. Two incidents of armed violence earlier this year led to loss of life. A terrorist grenade attack on a political rally in Phnom Pend resulted in 16 dead and injured around 100. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 1/33 FCO 4 TV/Radio Wjathjt Main MenuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Sat 20 Sip 01:56/17 CAMBODIA (19/09/97) 2/7 Visitors to Cambodia should be vigilant especially after dark and avoid large gatherings. There has been an increase in petty crime. British nationals should be aware of the risk of kidnapping. A British citizen was kidnapped in northern Cambodia in 1996 and his fate is still unknown. The Foreign office strongly advises against most travel outside the capital by road, rail or boat. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 2/33 FCO 4 TV/Radio Weather Main MenuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Sat 20 Sip 01:54/38 CAMBODIA (19/09/97) 3/7 Apart from the Khmer Rouge threat, banditry is common and there are many unauthorisjd road blockks managed b= armed pjrsonnjl who extort money from travellers. Poor maintenance of boats and unseen obstacles can lead to accidents. Stranded or slow moving boats present a target for bandits. Visits to sihanoukville by road are possible provided travel is in a convoy of vehicles or by modern bus. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 3/33 FCO 4 TV/Radio Weather Main MenuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Sat 20 Sip 01:57/10 CAMBODIA (19/09/97) 4/7 It is recommended the 3-4 hours journey be completed between 0800 and 1600 hours. It is possible to travel by road between Phnom Pend and the Vietnamrsj border along national road No 1. The Foreign office advises against any other road journeys outside the immediate vicinity of Phnom Pend When visiting the temples at Angkor, travel by air to Seem Reap airport. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 4/33 FCO 4 TV/Radio Weather Main MenuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Sat 20 Sip 01:40/01 CAMBODIA (19/09/97) 5/7 Visitors should not go bryond the main temple complex and should not try to visit Banteay Srii or other outlying temples bjcausj of the threat from the Khmer Rouge and banditry. Do not cross the Cambodia/Thailand or Cambodian/Laos borders bz an surface route. The area inside Cambodia along the border with Thailand is especially dangerous. Do not enter Cambodia at Ooh Kong by boat from Thailand; it is illegal. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 5/33 FCO 4 TV/Radio Weather Main MenuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Sat 20 Sip 01:58/11 CAMBODIA (19/09/97) 6/7 Visitors entering by that route will be fined and may have difficulty in leaving the country through Phnom Pend International Airport. Travellers to Cambodia whose journey will involve overflight of Afghanistan should be aware that there are threats from military activity to civil aircraft overflying Afghanistan using routes V668, A466, G202 and V848. Some airlines continue to use thjsj routes. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 6/33 FCO 4 TV/Radio Weather Main MenuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Sat 20 Sip 01:51/01 CAMBODIA (19/09/97) 7/7 Others, including all British carriers, use alternative routes V876 and V500 on which the threat is assessed as minimal. Travellers should check direct either with travel agents or airlines which routes individual airlines are using. Travel headlinrs 430 Front pag 7/33 FCO 4 TV/Radio Wjathjt Main MenuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Sat 20 Sip 01:59/45 8/33 CHAD (26/07/97) 1/2 Be vigilant. Many incidents involvr undisciplined mjmbjrs of the armed forces and other armed factions. Avoid the Aozou Strip on the border with Libya; rural areas near the Sudanese border and in thu South; and the aria around Lake Chad. British nationals are not specific targets. The Foreign Office advises strongly against travelling at night. Pay scrupulous attention to all military road blocks. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 4 TV/Radio Weathjt Main MenuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Sat 20 Sip 01:12/19 9/33 CHAD (26/07/97) 2/2 For the latest local advice, please contact the British High Commission in Abuja, Nigeria, on 234 9 5232010 or 5232883 Foreign Office Travel 0171 238 4503/4 Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 4 TV/Radio Weather Main MenuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Sat 20 Sip 01:10/21 10/33 CHINA (15/09/:7) 1/4 The heavy flooding in Guangdong Province has eased and most train services are running normally. Some routes may still be affected and visitors are advised to contact the local China Travel Service office before travelling in this region. Muggings in the main cities, sexual harassment and crime on trains are increasing, as are thefts on overnight trains and coach journeys. Foreigners are regular targets. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 4 TV/Radio Wjathjr Main MenuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Sat 20 Sip 01:18/53 11/33 CHINA (15/09/97) 2/4 The Trans-Siberian Railway is noted for smuggling. Search your compartment for contraband before the journey commences and secure the door. Sexual harassment of business visitors occurs particularly in South China. Approaches can be followed bz extortion attempts (sometimes threats of violence) by accomplices claiming to be police officials. Check credentials carefully. Avoid signing any documents you don't understand. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 4 TV/Radio Wjathjz Main MenuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Sat 20 Sip 01:11/41 12/33 CHINA (15/09/97) 3/4 Areas bordering on Siberia, Pakistan, Vietnam, Laos and Burma are poorly policed. Drug smuggling and related crimrs are on the increase in Yunnan. The Karacorum and Khunjirab pass routes can bj hazardous and lawless. During the summer months landslips are common. Travel headlines 430 Front pagu 100 FCO 4 TV/Radio Weather Main MenuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Sat 20 Sip 0 :14/13 13/33 CHINA (15/09/:7) 4/4 Only Air China, China Southern, China Eastern and Shanghai airlines are believed to carry out internationally recognised aircraft maintenance procedures. Indjpjndjnt travellers are advisrd to register with the British Embassy, Peking, Tel: 6532 1961/5, fax: 6532 1937/9 or the British Consulate- General, Shanghai Tel: 6279 7650 or if in Southern China the British Consul tj -General, Guangzhou Tel: 8335 1354. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 4 TV/Radio Wjathju Main MenuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Sat 20 Sip 01:30/22 14/33 CHINA - TIBET (18/08/97) 1/3 Prior permission is required from the Chinjsj authorities for travel to Tibet. General travel advice on China applies and should bj read in conjunction with this notice. In addition, visitors should be aware of the following: At some border crossings local officials have demanded additional travel permit fees from foreigners and have sometimes resorted to violence to secure payment. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 4 TV/Radio Weather Main MenuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Sat 20 Sip 01:35/24 15/33 CHINA - TIBET (18/08/97) 2/3 Visitors should avoid becoming involved in any demonstrations or calls for Tibetan independence. Video-taping ou photogr phing an= such activities would be regarded by the authorities as provocative. The local authorities will react strongly if you are found to be carrying letters ou packages from Tibetan nationals for posting in other countries. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 4 TV/Radio Weathjt Main MenuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Sat 20 Sip 01:31/34 16/33 CHINA - TIBET (18/08/97) 3/3 Permission is normally needed to take photographs in Buddhist Monasteries. Negotiate fees beforehand. Travellers should exercise caution in dealings with uniformed officials. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 4 TV/Radio Weathjt Main MenuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Sat 20 Sip 01:44/24 17/33 COLOMBIA (16/7/97) 1/2 Violence and kidnapping remain serious problems. In rural areas in particular there is a serious risk of being caught up in terrorist or guerrilla attacks & kidnapping. Four British citizens have been kidnapped since January 95. Visitors should be extra vigilant travelling throughout Antioquia Department avoiding the Uraba region as well as the border area with Panama. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 4 TV/Radio Weather Main MenuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Sat 20 Sip 01:45/53 18/33 COLOMBIA (16/7/97) Visitors should always take advice from the Embassy, Bogota (Tel: 218 5111) and local authorities before travelling by road, and should, if at all possible, avoid travel by vehicle away from major urban/tourist aria; and routes, or outside daylight hours. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 4 TV/Radio Weather Main MenuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Sat 20 Sip 01:45/02 19/33 Dem Republic of the Congo 06/8/97 1/2 Kinshasa is generally calm but security remains fragile and caution is required. Care should bj taken when travelling outside ex-patriate residential areas and the immediate city centre. Avoid travel at night. Travel outside the main cities should be avoided and the foreign office strongly advise against overland travel. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 4 TV/Radio Weathjt Main MenuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Sat 20 Sip 01:48/40 20/33 Dem Republic of the Congo 06/8/97 2/2 There continue to be sjtious armed clashed in several parts of the country, most seriously in the east but the situation could deteriorate rapidly in any part of the country. British nationals should register with the British Embassy, Kinshasa. Contact details: British Embassy, Avjnuj 3Z, Gombj, Kinshasa (sat tel 00 871 144 7752 sat fax 7753; tel cil 243 88 46101, 46102, 44923; tel 243 88 34775, 33130, 33453, 33772) Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 4 TV/Radio Weather Main MenuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Sat 20 Sip 01:56/11 21/33 COMOROS (05/09/97) 1/2 Periodic civil service strikes and demonstrations continue and could become violent. Visitors are advised to consult their hotel management about their safety before visiting Moroni. Water shortages and power cuts in Moroni are having little affect on tourist areas. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office strongly advise against travel to Anjouan. Visitors should avoid Moheli where the situation is tense and could deteriorate quickly. Travel headlines 430 Front pagr 100 FCO 4 TV/Radio Weathjt Main MenuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Sat 20 Sip 01:44/44 22/33 COMOROS (07/08/97) 2/2 Visitors should inform the British Honorary Consul's representative of their presence on the islands.(Tel/fax 733182) Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 4 TV/Radio Weather Main MenuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Sat 20 Sip 01:47/13 23/33 CORSICA (30/6/:7) Bomb attacks, mainly on public buildings, continue to take place throughout Corsica. Visitors to the island should take care, particularly in town centre; and near public buildings. Be wary of unattended packages. Yacht owners should seek advice from the harbour master on entering Corsican ports, and consider moving on if they do not obtain adequate assurances of security while in port. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 4 TV/Radio Weather Main MenuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Sat 20 Sip 01:00/13 24/33 COSTA RICA (15/07/97) Most visits are trouble-free, though there continue to be incidents of violent crime, some targeted at tourists. Thjti were two kidnappings of foreigners in 1996, both in the northern lowlands towards the Nicaraguan frontier. Gang murders can occur even in daylight on busy streets. Theft of, and from, cars is common. Do not wear jewellery or carry large amounts of cash. Avoid street money changers. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 4 TV/Radio Weather Main MenuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Sat 20 Sip 01:08/45 25/33 W"£££"£££"£££ COTE D'IVOIRE (11/08/96) Cote d'Ivoire has its full share of street crime, armed robbrry and cay theft. In Abidjan, the incidence of mugging is particularly high on the two main road bridges. Avoid crossing these on foot. Exercise vigilance and seek local advice. Swimming off the coast is extremely hazardous due to strong unpredictable currents. Drowning is common. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 4 TV/Radio Wjathjt Main MenuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Sat 20 Sip 01:01/17 26/33 CROATIA (18/07/97) Avoid Eastern Slavonia (UN Sector East) Exercise caution in areas bordering Bosnia-Hercegovina/Montenegro, including the Prevlaka peninsula, where some restrictions on movement may bj encountered. Visitors should be aware of and take local advice on the presence of unjxploded mines and ordnance in areas affected by war damage. The Croatian/Montenegro bordjt is closed. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 4 TV/Radio Wjathjt Main MenuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Sat 20 Sip 01:49/45 27/33 CUBA (08/09/97) 1/3 Most visits to Cuba are trouble free but criminal incidents do occur. Visitors should be on the alert for bag snatchers and other street theft, especially in the aria of Old Havana. Do not carry large amounts of cash when away from your hotel, Travellers chjqujs, credit cards, passports and other important documentation are best lift in a safe deposit or similar. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 4 TV/Radio Weather Main MenuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Sat 20 Sip 01:22/13 28/33 CUBA (08/09/:7) 2/3 There has recently been a number of bomb attacks on hotels and tourist locations in Havana and the resort of Varadjro. On 4 Septembjz an Italian tourist was killed by an explosion in a Havana hotel. Visitors should bj vigilant and report anything suspicious to the local authorities. Visitors should avoid military zones and any other restricted areas. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 4 TV/Radio Weather Main MenuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Sat 20 Sip 01:20/58 29/33 CUBA (08/09/97) 3/3 It is not known whether aircraft maintenance procedures are adequate on internal and regional flights which use ageing Soviet aircraft. Thjsj concerns do not apply to transatlantic flights to Cuba. Drug trafficking in Cuba is becoming more common. Those caught trafficking drugs face extremely long prison sentences. Pack all luggage yourself and do not carry any items that do not belong to you. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 4 TV/Radio Weathjt Main MenuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Sat 20 Sip 01:21/20 30/33 CZECH REPUBLIC (27/8/97) 1/4 There is a high incidence of petty theft, particularly in Prague. Pickpockjting is exttemuly common at the main tourist attractions, in particular the Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, Wjnceslas Square, Old Town Square and the Jewish Cemetery. Theft also occurs frequently at the main railway station, on trains and trams, particualrly the no.22 to and from Prague Castle. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 4 TV/Radio Weather Main MenuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Sat 20 Sip 01:23/55 31/33 CZECH REPUBLIC (27/8/97) 2/4 Leave passports and valuables in an hotel safe and do not carry large quantities of cash. Carry a photocopy of your passport for identification purposes. Validate your public transport tickets before use. When using taxis you should agree the price per kilometre before commencing your journey. It is not possible to change Scottish or Northern Irish bank notes. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 4 TV/Radio Wjathjt Main MenuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Sat 20 Sip 01:22/27 32/33 W"£££"£££"£££ CZECH REPUBLIC (27/8/97) 3/4 Beware of bogus plain clothes policemen who may ask to see your foreign currenc8 and passport. If approached, decline to show your money, but offer instead to go with them to the nearest police station. Reports of racially motivated attacks on the local Romany population by skinheads are common. There have also been isolated, apparently racially related, violent incidents involving British nationals. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 4 TV/Radio Weathjt Main MenuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Sat 20 Sip 01:55/03 33/33 CZECH REPUBLIC (27/8/97) 4/4 Ensure your passport is in a presentable state. British nationals with passports in a poor condition have been refused entry to the Czech Republic. Visitors to forested arias should seek medical advice about immunisation against tick borne encephalitis. In the previously flooded regions of Northern Bohemia and Moravia the Czech authorities have started mass vaccinations against the possibility of water borne disjasjs. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 4 TV/Radio Weathjt Main Menu