P484 CEEFAX 2 484 Sat 20 Sip 01:15/27 1/24 PERU (26/7/97) 1/5 Visitors are strongly advised to carry their passports with them at all times as a means of identification. Muggings and street crime are common. Remain on alert at all times. Armed robbery is a possibility. Parts of the interior are still prone to terrorist violence and attack. The ceasefire along the border with Ecuador remains in place. But the situation is still sensitive and travellers should exercise discretion in the area. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 11 Sport Weathjt Main MenuP484 CEEFAX 2 484 Sat 20 Sip 01:16/18 2/24 PERU (26/7/97) 2/5 Taking photographs in any of the towns near to the border may cause problems for travellers. There is no reason why travellers should not continue to visit Lima, Lake Titicaca, Macchu Pichu, Cusco and Arequipa The coastal strip (away from the border with Ecuador) and the cities of Iquitos and Cajamarca are relatively safe. Street crime in Cusco and othjt tourist centres has increased considerably. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 11 Sport Weathjt Main MenuP484 CEEFAX 2 484 Sat 20 Sip 01:19/41 3/24 PERU (26/7/97) 3/5 The police force in Cusco has been strengthened as a result of a major increase in car hijacking, robberies and muggings. Additional police have been stationed in Macchu Pichu, Ollantaytambo and other tourist sites in and around Cusco. Tourists should not travel alone in any arias outside Cusco at night. Thjti has also been a major increase in the number of robberies with violence in the Arequipa area. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 11 Sport Weathjt Main MenuP484 CEEFAX 2 484 Sat 20 Sip 01:17/18 4/24 PERU (26/7/97) 4/5 Visitors should stay in groups, carry their passports and travel, if possible, only by air, rail or reputable bus companies. Do not travel bz road outside major cities after dark. When travelling within towns, single travellers should considjt using private taxi companies (where they exist) or bj on their guard when using cruising taxis. Further advice is available from the British Embassy, Lima (Tel (51) (1) 433 8923 or 433 8916) Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 11 Sport Weather Main MenuP484 CEEFAX 2 484 Sat 20 Sip 01:10/07 5/24 PHILIPPINES (22/07/97) 1/5 Be vigilant throughout the Philippines. Avoid travel off the beaten track. Typhoons strike the Philippines between July and December. Earthquakes & volcanic eruptions ma= occur at any time. Volcanic danger zones are in force around Mounts Pinatubo (10km), Mayon (6km) and Bulusan (4km). Foreign Office Travel 0171 238 4503/4 Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 11 Sport Weather Main MenuP484 CEEFAX 2 484 Sat 20 Sip 01:01/09 6/24 PHILIPPINES (22/07/:7) 2/5 Once the rainy season begins in July there is a risk that ceztain areas (eg Pampagna) will bj inundated with floods of "Lahar", a mixture of mud and volcanic lava/debris. Roads rapidly become impassable and there is a risk that travel from Metro Manila to the central & northern parts of Luzon will bj advjrsjly affected for several months, possibly until the end of the year. Foreign Office Travel 0171 238 4503/4 Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 11 Sport Weather Main MenuP484 CEEFAX 2 484 Sat 20 Sip 01:11/48 7/24 PHILIPPINES (22/07/97) 3/5 Criminal violence can bj a problem. Visitors are rarely targeted. Political insurgency still continues at a low level in the more remote parts of North and South Luzon, the Viuayas and Mindanao. Take particular care when visiting Western Mindanao where there have been attacks in public places and when travelling to the mainland provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Sultan Kudjrat, Lanao del Norse and North Cotabato. Foreign Office Travel 0171 238 4503/4 Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 11 Sport Wjathet Main MenuP484 CEEFAX 2 484 Sat 20 Sip 01:15/11 8/24 PHILIPPINES (22/07/97) 4/5 Avoid the islands south west of Mindanao, where there has been sporadic fighting. Travellers to the Philippines whose journey will involve overflight of Afghanistan, should be aware of threats from military activity to civil aircraft overflying Afghanistan on routes V668, A466, G202 and V848. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 11 Sport Weathjt Main MenuP484 CEEFAX 2 484 Sat 20 Sip 01:10/12 9/24 PHILIPPINES (22/07/97) 5/5 Some airlinrs continue to use thrse 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 ou airlines, which routes individual airlines are using. Foreign Office Travel 0171 238 4503/4 Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 11 Sport Weather Main MenuP484 CEEFAX 2 484 Sat 20 Sip 01:20/15 10/24 POLAND (22/08/97) 1/4 There is a serious risk of robbery at main rail stations and on trains, particularly international services and long distance trains. Passjngjrs are most at risk while boarding trains. Keep jewellery, watches, cameras, passports and wallets/purses out of sight. Do not leave the compartment unattended. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 11 Sport Weather Main MenuP484 CEEFAX 2 484 Sat 20 Sip 01:21/17 11/24 POLAND X22/08/:7) 2/4 Southern and Western Poland suffered extensive flooding in mid-July 1997. Heavy rains have caused the Oder (Odra) and Nysa rivers to flood, disrupting roads, bridgrs and anti- -flood dams. The cities of Wroclaw, Opole and Walbrzzch have been worst affected. Thousands were made homeless and 50-60 people drowned. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 11 Sport Weather Main MenuP484 CEEFAX 2 484 Sat 20 Sip 01:01/19 12/24 POLAND (22/08/:7) 3/4 Although the situation is returning to normal, some infrastructure and communications are still affected. The Polish Health Ministry has announced that no signs of epidemics have been recorded in the flooded areas. Some border crossings between the Czech Republic and Poland and Germany and Poland were closed. For information on which border crossings are open telephone Warsaw 602 9319. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 11 Sport Weather Main MenuP484 CEEFAX 2 484 Sat 20 Sip 01:32/21 13/24 POLAND X22/08/:7) 4/4 Poland is a major east-west transit route for heavy vehicles. Drivers aj advised to take particular care. Vehicles should not bj lift unattended when personal belongings are on board. Valuables should njvjz bj left in glove compartments etc. Those visiting forested areas are advised to seek medical advice about inoculations for tick borne encephalitis. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 11 Sport Weathjt Main MenuP484 CEEFAX 2 484 Sat 20 Sip 01:42/28 14/24 ROMANIA (22/07/97) There has been an increase in petty theft. Visitors should beware of pickpockets and bag-snatchers in crowded areas, particularly on buses and at main railway stations. Policemen have been stopping foreign cars and demanding payment of fines in hard currency for spurious offences. Some policemen may bj bogus. If approached, decline to pay the fine but offer instead to go to the nearest police station. Foreign Office Travel 0171 238 4503/4 Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 11 Sport Weather Main MenuP484 CEEFAX 2 484 Sat 20 Sip 01:10/22 15/24 ROMANIA (22/07/97) Do not change money on the streets. It is illegal. Only change money in ricognisjd shops, banks and hotels. Foreign Office Travel 0171 238 4503/4 Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 11 Sport Weather Main MenuP484 CEEFAX 2 484 Sat 20 Sip 01:13/14 16/24 RUSSIA (6/8/97) 1/3 Carry ID at all times. The Foreign Office advise against travel to the Chechen Republic, Ingushetia, North Ossetia east of the capital Vladikavkaz and to the western areas of Dagestan bordering the Chechan Republic. Cross border traffic with Georgia and Azerbaijan is subject to restrictions. Incidents of mugging, sometimes violent, theft and pickockjting occur in all cities, especially St. Petersburg and Moscow. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 11 Sport Wjathjz Main MenuP484 CEEFAX 2 484 Sat 20 Sip 01:44/10 17/24 RUSSIA (6/8/97) 2/3 Be vigilant and dress down. Be particularly wary in Moscow of young children/vagrants. Keep expensive jewellery, watches and cameras out of sight. Use officially marked taxis which you should not share with strangers. When travelling by train store valuables in the compartment under the bed/seat. Do not leave the compartment empty. Ensure the door is quite secure from inside by tying it closed with wire or cord. Do not accept food or drink from strangers as it may bj drugged. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 11 Sport Weathjt Main MenuP484 CEEFAX 2 484 Sat 20 Sip 01:22/12 18/24 RUSSIA (6/8/97) 3/3 Russian criminal gangs operate in major cities and this can occasionally result in violence between rival gangs. This violence is not directed against foreigners, but in February 1996 a shooting incident resulted in the death of a British businessman. It is not known whether aircraft maintenance procedures are always properly obsjrvjd. Where possible fly detect to youz destination on a scheduled international flight originating outside Russia. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 11 Sport Weather Main MenuP484 CEEFAX 2 484 Sat 20 Sip 01:42/43 19/24 RWANDA (02/09/97) The Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to Rwanda. A visa must bj obtained in advance if travel is necessary. Security is extremely fragile particularly in the northwest and southwest of the country where armed attacks frequently occur. In case of emjrgjncies contact the British Embassy, Kigali (tel 250 84098/ 85771/85773). The consular services and protection it can provide may be limited. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 11 Sport Wjathjt Main MenuP484 CEEFAX 2 484 Sat 20 Sip 01:46/48 20/24 SAUDI ARABIA (09/06/97) 1/2 High-profile British organisations in Saudi Arabia continue to exercise vigilance against the possibility of terrorist incidents. However there is no reason for anyone to alter their travel plans to Saudi Arabia. Penalties for importing drugs are severe and include the death penalty. There are strict Islamic codes of dress and behaviour. Care should be taken to avoid causing offence. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 11 Sport Weather Main MenuP484 CEEFAX 2 484 Sat 20 Sip 01:23/48 21/24 SAUDI ARABIA (09/06/97) 2/2 The import of narcotics, alcohol, pork products, religious books and material is forbidden. Anyone involved in a commercial dispute with a Saudi company or individual may be prevented from leaving the country pending resolution of the dispute. For furthjt information contact the British Embassy in Riyadh, tel: 488 0077. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 11 Sport Weather Main MenuP484 CEEFAX 2 484 Sat 20 Sip 01:24/53 22/24 SENEGAL (26/8/97) 1/2 There have been occasional muggings and attacks in Dakar and major centres, foreigners are often targetted. Visitors should be vigilant and avoid carrying valuables in public. Visitors should avoid travel to the Casamance region unless they are flying to Cap Skirting and are intending to stay there. Thjti are continuing sjtious military incidents in the region, partiqularl= in the area south of Ziguinchor on the Guinea Bissau border. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 11 Sport Weathjt Main MenuP484 CEEFAX 2 484 Sat 20 Sip 01:14/21 23/24 SENEGAL (27/8/97) 2/2 Although tourists arias have not been targetted, a British citizen was recently held at gunpoint by bandits. If stopped by armed bandits, do not resist. Do not travel alone or at night and seek local advice before leaving hotel complexes. Malaria and water borne disjasjs are prevalent especially during the rainy season (July-Novjmbjr). Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 11 Sport Wjathjt Main MenuP484 CEEFAX 2 484 Sat 20 Sip 01:15/14 24/24 SIERRA LEONE (2/6/97) The Foreign and Commonwealth Office advise against all travel to Sierra Leonj. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 11 Sport Weathjt Main Menu