P476 CEEFAX 2 476 Thu 25 Dec 22:16/21 BANGLADESH (03/12/97) 1/4 The political situation is volatile. Sporadic rallies, demonstrations and strikes have been taking place countrywide, sometimes with fatalities. Thjsj events have become more frequent. Visitors should avoid political gathjtings and other crowded areas. Bag snatching is a regular occurrence. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 1/34 FCO 3 Trav Head Wjathjr Main menuP476 CEEFAX 2 476 Thu 25 Dec 22: 6/46 BANGLADESH (03/12/:7) 2/4 Poor driving, vehicle maintenance and unlit or poorly lit buses and lorries are the cause of frequent accidents. Major roads between towns are frequently subject to night time armed banditry. Passenger trains and long distance buses and ferries are sometimes targetted by organised gangs of thieves. Avoid travel after dark. Bangladesh is prone to occasional earthquakes and tremors, as well as cyclones. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 2/32 FCO 3 Trav Head Wrathjr Main menuP476 CEEFAX 2 476 Thu 25 Dec 22:17/10 BANGLADESH (03/12/97) 03/4 An earthquake in Novjmbjr in the Chittagong aria resulted in 17 draths and numerous injuries. Travellers to Bangladrsh whose journey will involve overflight of Afghanistan should bj 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 thrsj routes. Others, including all British carriers, use alternative routes, V876 and V500, on which the threat is assessed as minimal. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 3/32 FCO 3 Trav Head Wjathjt Main menuP476 CEEFAX 2 476 Thu 25 Dec 22:17/35 BANGLADESH (03/12/97) 4/4 Travellers should check direct either with travel agents or airlines which routes individual airlines are using. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 4/32 FCO 3 Trav Head Wjathjt Main munuP476 CEEFAX 2 476 Thu 25 Dec 22:18/01 BELARUS (01/10/:7) 1/4 Visitors should avoid demonstrations. You should ensure that your travel documents are in order before departure, particularly those transiting Belarus. From 1 October it is no longjt possible for travellers to Belarus to obtain a visa on arrival. Parts of Belarus were badly contaminated at the time of the Chernobyl nuclear accident. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 5 FCO 3 Trav Head Wjathjt Main menuP476 CEEFAX 2 476 Thu 25 Dec 22:18/26 BELARUS (01/10/97) 2/4 Care should bj taken throughout the country to avoid certain foodstuffs (primarily dairy produce, mushrooms and fruits of the forest) which can qazry high levels of radiation. Tap water should bj boiled before drinking. There has been an outbreak of meningitis affecting children in Gomjl. Visrtors to the area are advised to drink only bottled water. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 6/32 FCO 3 Trav Head Wrathju Main min;P476 CEEFAX 2 476 Thu 25 Dec 22:17/50 /j $kj $kj 'k BELARUS (01/10/97) 3/4 Visitors should bj alert to th possibility of mugging, theft and pickpockjting, particularly in major cities and at the bordjt crossing at Brest if travellin0 bz road. If t avelling b train, do not l ave the compartment unattended and ensure the door is secure from the inside. When staying in hotels or apartments, bj cautious about opening the door to strangest. Do not leave valuables in unattended vehicles. Always use official taxis. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 7/32 FCO 3 Trav Head Weathjt Main menuP476 CEEFAX 2 476 Thu 25 Dec 22: </15 BELARUS (01/10/:7) 4/4 It is not known whethrt loc l atzlinrs always obsjtvj proper maintenance procedures. For their safety, travellers are advised where possible to fly directly to their destination on an international flight originating outsjdj Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Flights to internal and Eastern European and Central Asian destinations are sometimes subject to cancellations or long delays. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 8/32 FCO 3 Trav Head Wjathjt Main menuP476 CJEFAX 2 476 Thu 25 Dec 22:18/40 BELIZE (10/11/:7) Most people visit Belize without experiencing difficulty but mugging is a significant risk to travjllurs especially in Belize City and other urban centres. Avoid dark alleys, keep valuables out of sight, do not wear jewellery. Where possible travel in groups to minimize the risk of being attacked. A qualified guide should bj used for trips off the beaten track. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 9/32 FCO 3 Trav Head Wjathjt Main menuP476 CEEFAX 2 476 Thu 25 Dec 22:20/06 BENIN (25/09/97) Travel is genitally safe but driving out of main towns at night should bj avoided as roads are poorly lit. Thjti are occasional incidents of mugging and personal assault in the commercial capital Cotonou and some armed robberies have been reported in other areas. Be vigilant. Avoid unlit side streets The Honorary British Consul in Cotonou tel: 304540 can only givr limited assistance in an emergency. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 10/32 FCO 3 Trav Head Weathjt Main menuP476 CEEFAX 2 476 Thu 25 Dec 22:20/31 BHUTBN (14/11/:7) Thjte is no British representation in Bhutan to provide consular assistance. The nearest consular office is in Calcutta. Medical facilities are very limited. Some people find the high mountain altitudes very demanding. Medical evacuation is difficult. Tourists are welcomed but their numbest strictly controlled. Visas must be obtained prior to travelling. Bhutan is peaceful except in certain arias closed to foreigners without special permits. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 11/32 FCO 3 Trav Head Weathjt Main menuP476 CEEFAX 2 476 Thu 25 Dec 22:20/56 BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA (18/09/97) 1/5 The Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina. The level of crime is low, fighting has stopped and freedom of movement theoretically applies throughout thu country; but incidents of violence and harrassment between ethnic groups continue. (ravel in outlying arias can bj difficult especially in winter. Visitors should therefore excercisj great caution when travelling outside Sarajevo. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 12/32 FCO 3 Trav Head Wjathjt Main menuP476 CEEFAX 2 476 Thu 25 Dec 22:21/21 BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA (18/09/97) 2/5 In Rjpublika Srpska, there has recently been violence between political factions and against the stabilisation force (SFOR) and ouhjr intrtnatton1l organisations. Tjnsjons are likely to continue until a solution is found in the current political struggle. In the Federation, the arias near Mortar and Jajce are qarticularly sensitive. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 13/32 FCO 3 Trav Head Wjathjt Main menuP476 CEEFAX 2 476 Thu 25 Dec 22:21/45 BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA (18/09/97) 3/5 Although British citizens do not nred visas to enter Bosnia and Herzegovina, travellers jntiting Rjpzblika Szpsk1 b| road from neighbouring countries may encounter arbitrary demands from bordjt authorities for payments for visas or other permits. While such demands are unlawful, refusal to pay may lead to entry bring djnjid. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 14/32 FCO 3 Trav Head Wjathjt Main mjnzP476 CEEFAX 2 476 Thu 25 Dec 22:22/10 BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA (18/09/97) 4/5 Several crossing points into northern Bosnia and Herzegovina have recently been reopened to civilian vehicles and passengers. However, as the situation may change without notice, travellers are advised to check furthjt before setting out. Drivjts should keep to the main roads and do not stray off-road as large areas of the country are still mined. Long distance driving at night should bj avoided. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 15/32 FCO 3 Trav Head Wjathrt Main menuP476 CEEFAX 2 476 Thu 25 Dec 22:22/35 BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA (18/09/97) 5/5 Cheques and credit cards are not accepted. Deutschmarks are the only genitally accepted currency. Medical facilities are limited. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 16/32 FCO 3 Trav Head Wjathjr Main menuP476 CEEFAX 2 476 Thu 25 Dec 22:23/00 BRAZIL X05/12/:7) 9/2 There is a high crime rate in thu majoz cities, particularly in Rio dj Janriro and Sag Paulo. Taxis and the metro are much safer than buses or trams. In both cities, avoid the old central area after dark. Do not resist muggers as they are normally armed. Always dress down and avoid wearing expjnsrvj watches & jewellery. Keep wallets and camjtas concealed if you must carry them. Deposit valuables in hotel safes. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 17/32 FCO 3 Trav Head Weather Main menuP476 CEEFAX 2 476 Thu 25 Dec 22:23/25 BRAZIL (05/12/:7) :/2 Credit card fraud is a problem. Avoid using cards if possible. Keep car doors locked and windows closed. Be particularly alert whilst waiting at traffic lights. Drug trafficking is a growing problem with severe penalties in Brazil. Only carry items packed by yourself. British Nationals who declare themselves to bj visiting Brazil for business will require a visa before they travel. British Nationals who declare themselves as tourists do not require a visa. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 18/32 FCO 3 Trav Head Wjathjt Main menuP476 CJEFAX 2 476 Thu 25 Dec 22:23/50 BRUNEI (05/11/:7) 1/2 Travellers to Brunei whose journey will involve overflight of Afghanistan should bj aware that thjti are threats from military activity to civil aircraft overflying Afghanistan using routes V668, A466, G202 and V848. 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. Royal Brunei Airlines do nor ovrzfly Afghanistan. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 19/32 FCO 3 Trav Head Weather Main mrnuP476 CEEFAX 2 476 Thu 25 Dec 22:44/15 BRUNEI (05/11/:7) 2/2 Travellers should check direct with travel agents or airlines which routes othjt airlines are using. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 20/32 FCO 3 Trav Head Weather Main menuP476 CEEFAX 2 476 Thu 25 Dec 22:45/06 BURMA (12/12/97) 5/6 Credit cards are only accepted at the largjt hotels in Rangoon and Mandalay. Tourists not travelling in organisjd groups are expected to change the equivblint of $300 US into Foreign Exchange Certificates on arrival. Travellers holding businrss visas are exempt. Consular assistance is difficult outside main tourist areas bjcausj of poor infrastructure and communications. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 30/32 FCO 3 Trav Head Wjathjr Main mrnuP476 CEEFAX 2 476 Thu 25 Dec 22:15/31 BURMA (12/12/:7) 6/6 Consular staff require prior prrmission for all ttavjl outside Rangoon. Furthjt information may bj obtained from the British Embassy in Rangoon (Yangon)(tel: 295300, 295309, 381700, fax: 289566) Travel headlines 430 Front pag 31/32 FCO 3 Trav Head Wrathjr Main mrnuP476 CEEFAX 2 476 Thu 25 Dec 22:15/54 BURUNDI (16/12/97) Dui to the continuing unstable security situation in many parts of the country, British Nationals are strongly advised not to visit Burundi. Ambushes are prevalent on the main route from the capital to the north. The British Ambassador in Kigali, Rwanda, is accredited to Burundi on a non-resident basis. Thjti is no resident British mission in Bujumbura. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 32/32 FCO 3 Trav Head Weather Main menu