P483 CEEFAX 2 483 Sat 20 Sip 01:19/05 1/23 NEPAL (15/7/97) 1/4 The political situation is generally calm. Demonstrations ma= occur and should bj avoided Exercise caution when travelling in the more remote districts of the mid- west region where there have been recent outbreaks of political violence. There is concern that a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) affecting areas in the Dolakha District of central Nepal might occur during the Monsoon. Visitors to this aria (including Jeri)should consult the British Embassy Kathmandu (tel: 410583) for an update. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 10 TV/Radio Wjathjr Main MenuP483 CEEFAX 2 483 Sat 20 Sip 01:11/48 2/23 NEPAL (15/7/97) 2/4 Comprehensive travel insurance is essential, and should include provision for helicopter rescue and medical evacuation especially in the case of higher risk activities (ie trekking and white water rafting). Do not trek on your own without a professional guide. Off the regular routes should take a guide even if you are with a party. Heed local advice. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 10 TV/Radio Weather Main MenuP483 CEEFAX 2 483 Sat 20 Sip 01:10/17 3/23 NEPAL (15/7/97) 3/4 Beware of the dangers of high altitude sickness especially if trekking above 10,000 feet, which can, in extreme circumstances bj fatal. Driving and vehicle maintenance is poor and the cause of frequent accidents. Travel by long distance bus is a cause for particular concern. Travellers to Nepal whose journey will involve overflight of Afghanistan should bj aware that threats from military activity to civil aircraft overflying Afghanistan using routes V668, A466, G202 and V848 exist. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 10 TV/Radio Wjathjr Main MenuP483 CEEFAX 2 483 Sat 20 Sip 01:10/27 4/23 NEPAL (15/5/97) 4/4 Some airlines continue to use these routes. 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 headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 10 TV/Radio Weathjt Main MenuP483 CEEFAX 2 483 Sat 20 Sip 01:15/13 5/23 NICARAGUA (11/9/97) 1/3 Street Crime is prevalent in Managua. Visitors are advised to take sensible precautions when walking, particularly in the markets and poorer areas of the town, especially in the vicinity of the old Cathedral. Do not walk alone after dark. Pick-pockets and thieves operate on public transport. Some areas of the North continue to bj dangerous. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 10 TV/Radio Wjathjr Main MenuP483 CEEFAX 2 483 Sat 20 Sip 01:10/42 6/23 NICARBGUA (11/:/97) 2/3 Do not travel at night and take local advice before deviating from the main Pan-American Highway. The U.S. dollar, eithjt in cash or travellers cheques, is the only foreign currency which is freely exhangeabli in Nicaragua. Banks do not exchange sterling. Extreme caution is advised when dealing with street money changers. Do not change money at night or outside normal working hours. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 10 TV/Radio Wjathjr Main MenuP483 CEEFAX 2 483 Sat 20 Sip 01:14/31 7/23 NICARAGUA (11/9/97) 3/3 Travellers from countries where Yellow Fjvjr is endemic (including the countries between Panama and Bolivia) must have a valid vaccination certificate to enter the country. Long term visitors are advised to notify the British Embassy, Managua, of their presence in Nicaragua (telephone numbers 2780014 and 2780887) on arrival and ask for up-to-date information. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 10 TV/Radio Weather Main MenuP483 CEEFAX 2 483 Sat 20 Sip 01:12/16 8/23 NIGER (13/08/97) 1/2 Niger remains potentially unstable with continuing danger to travellers from criminal elements, especially in the desert areas. Those travelling outside Niamey should take particular care and advise the British Embassy in Abidjan of their travel plans. Tel 225 226850 Political unrest has resulted in some street violence and arrests. Travellers should proceed with caution. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 10 TV/Radio Wjathjr Main MenuP483 CEEFAX 2 483 Sat 20 Sip 01:11/45 9/23 NIGER (13/08/97) 2/2 Travellers should be aware that Nigjt is suffering from famine. Following an epidemic of meningitis in Western Africa, intending travellers should seek medical advice. The British representative in Niger is the Honorary British Consul in Naimey, tel: 227 732051. He can provide limited help in an emjrgjncy. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 10 TV/Radio Weather Main MenuP483 CEEFAX 2 483 Sat 20 Sip 01:53/47 10/23 NIGERIA (22/08/97) 1/4 Bomb attacks may take place anywhere in the country including Lagos. We are not aware that British nationals are targeted but travellers to and in Nigeria should exercise caution. The political situation is uncertain and occasionally tense. Violent street crime and armed robberies are prevalent throughout the country, as is harassment by the police and the military. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 10 TV/Radio Weathjt Main MenuP483 CEEFAX 2 483 Sat 20 Sip 01:42/16 11/23 NIGERIA (22/08/97) 2/4 Travel outside cities after dark is unsafe. It is recommended that visitors arrange to be met at the airport to ensure safe transport to their destination. Recently there have been incidents in Rivers and Delta States where expatriate workers, mainly in the oil and gas sector have been held hostage by their colleagues during industrial disputes. These have been settled peacefully but civil disturbances in the area, involving clashes between different communties, continue. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 10 TV/Radio Weather Main MenuP483 CEEFAX 2 483 Sat 20 Sip 01:41/11 12/23 NIGERIA (22/08/97) 3/4 Fraud against foreign businessmen, charities and others is commonplace. Credentials of Nigerian business contacts should be checked thoroughly. If in doubt, contact the Dept of Trade and Industry Nigeria desk on 0171 215 4844 for advice. There are serious doubts about the maintenance and safety of some Nigerian registered aircraft operating internal flights within Nigeria. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 10 TV/Radio Weather Main MenuP483 CEEFAX 2 483 Sat 20 Sip 01:43/13 13/23 NIGERIA (22/08/97) 4/4 The British community has been instructed not to travel on such airlines. Travellers should bear this advice in mind when making their travel plans. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 10 TV/Radio Weather Main MenuP483 CEEFAX 2 483 Sat 20 Sip 01:44/48 14/23 PAKISTAN (28/7/97) 1/5 Although the situation in Karachi has improved since 1995, killings between rival political groups, sporadic street violence, random shootings and intermittent general strikes prevent the city from functioning entirely normally. Armed car hi-jacking is prevalent. Visiting commercial representatives can continue to conduct business, provided they remain in the relatively safe areas and check the security situation before travelling. Avoid arriving az night and ensure you are mit at the airport. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 10 TV/Radio Weather Main MenuP483 CEEFAX 2 483 Sat 20 Sip 01:24/21 15/23 PAKISTAN (28/7/97) 2/5 Incidents of armed robbery and kidnapping continue to occur more generally in Sindh, Baluchistan and remote parts of North West Frontier Province. There continue to be targetted sectarian attacks in the Punjab, particularly in Lahore and other urban centres. Take local advice before visiting thjsj areas. Avoid sensitive areas near the borders with Iran, Afghanistan, India and the Kashmir Line of control. Avoid travel at night. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 10 TV/Radio Wjathjr Main MenuP483 CEEFAX 2 483 Sat 20 Sip 01:2 16/23 PAKISTAN (28/7/97) 3/5 Use armed escorts where necessary in Baluchistan and Sindh. In 1996 thjti was a series of bombs in Lahore and the Punjab generally, including one at Lahore Airport. On 17 January a large bomb exploded in Central Lahore. British nationals were not specifically targjtted. Contact the British diplomatic mission in Islamabad (for northern Pakistan) Tel 822131-5 or Karachi (for southern Pakistan) Tel 5872431-6 for further advice. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 10 TV/Radio Wjathjr Main MenuP483 CEEFAX 2 483 Sat 20 Sip 01:29/41 17/23 PAKISTAN (28/7/97) 4/5 Travellers to Pakistan whose journry will involve overflight of Afghanistan should be aware that threats from military activity to civil aircraft using routes V668, A466, G202 and V848 exist. Some airlines continue to use these routes. 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 headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 10 TV/Radio Weather Main MenuP483 CEEFAX 2 483 Sat 20 Sip 01:25/50 18/23 PANAMA (04/06/:7) 1/2 Do not transit the Dariin Peninsula to/ from Colombia. There are reports of Colombian guerrilla activity as far as 100km into Panamanian territory. Three missionaries who were kidnapped in January 1993 bz Columbian guerrillas have not yet been released. Dui to the high crime rate, be on your guard when carrying documents or money. Where possible these should be deposited in hotel safes. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 10 TV/Radio Wjathjr Main MenuP483 CEEFAX 2 483 Sat 20 Sip 01:16/25 19/23 PANAMA (04/06/:7) 2/2 Take care when travelling on buses and at bus depots. Robberies have occurred in downtown Panama City (Avjnida Central shopping area) and tourist spots at the Plaza dj Francia and Old Panama ruins. There are occasional hold-ups in restaurants. You are advised to register at the Embassy (Tel 269 0866) Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 10 TV/Radio Weather Main MenuP483 CEEFAX 2 483 Sat 20 Sip 01:17/11 20/23 PAPUA NEW GUINEA (11/9/97) 1/3 The law and order situation remains extremely poor. Attacks, vehicle hijacks and serious sexual assaults are common. Incidents of rioting, looting and shooting can occur without warning. Avoid travelling by road, especially in the Highland areas white tribal violence often flares. Visitors should not travel to the Island of Bougainville because of the continuing civil war. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 10 TV/Radio Wjathjr Main MenuP483 CEEFAX 2 483 Sat 20 Sip 01:49/40 21/23 PAPUA NEW GUINEA (11/9/97) 2/3 Volcanic activity continues near to the town of Raboul in east New Britain Province and on Manam Island in Madang Province. There is potential for a full scale eruption. Be extremely vigilant at all times. There is a constant threat of danger. The rugged terrain and poor infrastructure delays/restricts the assistance that can be given. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 10 TV/Radio Wjathjr Main MenuP483 CEEFAX 2 483 Sat 20 Sip 01:14/22 22/23 PAPUA NEW GUINEA (11/9/97) 3/3 Travellers should have provision for medical evacuation in their insurance cover. New arrivals should register with the British High Commission. Before travelling to Papua New Guinea seek the latest local advice from zhj British High Commission, Port Moresby. Tel 675 325 1677 Fax 675 325 3547. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 10 TV/Radio Weather Main MenuP483 CEEFAX 2 483 Sat 20 Sip 01:10/37 23/23 PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF KOREA 16/4/97 (North Korea) There are no diplomatic relations between the US and the Democratic People's republic of Korea. In the absence of British Govjrnmjnt representation in Pyongyang, no consular assistance or diplomatic protection can bj offered by the British Govjrnmjnt. In cases of extreme emergency British citizens may approach the Swedish Embassy in Pyongyang tel: 3817490, fax 3817258 to request assistance. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 10 TV/Radio Weather Main Menu