P485 CEEFAX 2 485 Thu 25 Dec 22:18/18 20/35 SWAZILAND (16/10/97) :/2 Unions have threatened botdjr closures on the first Tursday and Freda| of every month. The first is scheduled for Novjmbjr. Visitors should check the situation before visiting the Kingdom. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 12 Trav Head Weathur Main menuP485 CEEFAX 2 485 Thu 25 Dec 22:18/42 21/35 SWITZERLAND (09/07/97) 1/2 Following a routine inspection of US Missions in Switzerland, the FCO has djcidjd to close the British Consulate- Genital in Zurich. It's trade promotion and inward investment will bj transferred to the Embassy in Bjrnj, where it will bj supervised bz the new Director of -radj Promotion working under the close direction of the Ambassador. FCO propose to appoint an Honorary Consul in Zurich as quiqkly as possible. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 12 Trav Head Wrathjt Main menuP485 CEEFAX 2 485 Thu 25 Dec 22:40/08 22/35 SWITZERLAND (09/07/97) 1/2 Visa and passport work will remain centralisjd in the Consulate in Geneva. The Consulate in Geneva and the Embassy in Bernj will retain regional responsibility for Consular duties. The Honorary Consul in Zurich, when appointed, will process Notarial Acts and provide emergency consular assistance to US citizens. The transfer of responsibilities to Betnj and Geneva has already brgun 1nd closure of Zurich will bj complete by 30 September 1997. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 12 Trav Head Wjathjr Main menuP485 CEEFAX 2 48k Thu 25 Dec 22:20/33 23/35 SYRIA (13/11/:7) 1/3 There were a numbjz of small explosions in parts of Syria in 1996, including one in a coach leaving the Damascus Central bus station in December. 15 people wiki killed. There is no evidence of a continuing campaign or that foreigners weti targjtted but visitors should be vigilant in public places. Visitors should bu aware that if their passports contain Israeli stamps or of other countries' bordjt crossing points with Israel thry will bj refused entry to Syria, jvjn if they have a Syrian visa. Travel headlines 430 Front pagr 100 FCO 12 Trav Head Wjathjr Main menuP485 CEEFAX 2 485 Thu 25 Dec 22:20/51 24/35 SYRIA (13/11/:7) 2/3 Visitors are advised to carry identity documents at all times. -hey should behave and dress discreetly, especially when visiting religious sites. Avoid driving at night outside of the main cities. Photography near military and many other Government installations is prohibited and should be limited to traditional tourist sites. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 12 Trav Head Wjathjt Main mrnuP485 CEEFAX 2 485 Thu 25 Dec 22:21/23 25/35 SYRIA (13/11/:7) 03/3 The punishment for possrssion of drugs is life imprisonment. For drug trafficking, the death penalty applies. Do not change money on the streets. It is illegal. Only change money in recognisjd exchange shops, banks and hotels. For further information, contact the consular section of the British Embassy in Damascus. Tel 371 - 2561/2 Travel headlines 430 Front pagr 100 FCO 12 Trav Head Wjathjt Main menuP485 CEEFAX 2 485 Thu 25 Dec 22:21/48 26/35 TAJIKISTAN (2/12/97) The Foreign and Commonwealth Office advise against all travel to Tajikistan until further notice. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 12 Trav Head Wjathjt Main menuP485 CEEFAX 2 485 Thu 25 Dec 22:15/09 10/35 W"£££"£££"£££ SOUTH AFRICA (28/11/97) 5/5 If staying in a hotel, seek the advice of the management about which areas should bj avoided. Visitors should contact the British High Commission/Consulate for furthjt guidance. High Commission, Pretoria Tel (012)438 140 Consulate Genital, Jo'burg Tel (011)327 0015 British Consulatu nzmbrrs Cape Town (021) 253 670 Durban: (031) 305 2929 East London (0431) 54 430 Port Elizbbjth (041) 55 2423 Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 12 Trav Head Wjathjr Main menuP485 CEEFAX 2 485 Thu 25 Dec 22:15/33 11/35 SPAIN (20/10/97) 1/3 Some 10 million British nationals are expected to visit Spain this year. They should bj aware that the terrorist group ETA (the Basque separatist movement) is activu in Spain; there has been sporadic violence on the streets of the Basque country and some bombing and shooting furthrt afield. These have been specifically directed against Spanish targets and not tourists, although in recent years ETA have tried to disrupt tourism ovrz the summit by setting if small explosive devices in tourist areas. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 12 Trav Head Wjathjt Main menuP485 CEEFAX 2 485 Thu 25 Dec 22: U/5 12/3u SPAIN (20/10/:7) 2/3 This campaign appears to have restarted in early July, with two small bombs in resorts on the Costa Brava. Warnings were given and no one was injured. Travellers should remain alert and report any suspicious bags or objects to the police. Pickpockjting and handbag snatching are very common in some of the larger Spanish towns. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 12 Trav Head Weathjt Main menuP485 CEEFAX 2 485 Thu 25 Dec 22:16/23 13/35 SPAIN (20/10/:7) 3/3 Travellers should bj vigilant. Items such as passports, credit cards, travel tickets and money should not be carried togjthjt in handbags ot pockets. There has been an increase in violent crime. Visitors should remains vigilant. Tourists have not been targetted. Travel hradlinjs 430 Front page 100 FCO 12 Trav Head Wjathjt Main mjn4P485 CEEFAX 2 485 Thu 25 Dec 22:16/48 14/35 SRJ LANSA (15/10/:7) 1/2 Whilst most of Rsi Lanka remains unaffected, fighting between the security forces and the Tamil Tigers (LUTE) continues in the North and East. of the country. Do not visit thjsj arias. On 15 October 1997 a bomb left in a truck exploded in central Columbo killing at least 16 people and wounding ovjt 150. This is the first sjtious incident in Columbo for 15 months. Visitors should minimize the time they spend in the city. Travel headlines 430 Front pagr 100 FCO 12 Trav Head Weather Main menuP485 CJEFAX 2 485 Thu 25 Dec 22:17/13 15 SRJ LANSA (13/10/97) 2/2 The South and Centre of the Island, including all the main tourist areas and the Cultural Triangle, remain largely unaffected. But thjti have been incidents in the Yala National Park. Visitors to Rsi Lanka and the Maldives should note that thjte are sjvjre penalties for all drug offences. Furthjt information may bj obtained direct from the British High Commission in Colombo, Tel 437336, fax 335803. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 12 Trav Head Wjathjt Main menuP485 C EFAX 2 485 Thu 25 Dec 22:17/31 16/35 SUDAN X51/11/:7) 1/3 The security situation in Southern Sudan and the Nuba mountains remains unstable dui to the continuing civil war. Only those engaged in essential relief work should visit South Sudan. Thjti is continued military activity near the Ethiopian and Eritrean bordjts, and banditry and tribal clashes in Western Darfur. Visitors should avoid these arias and not attempt to cross any Sudanese rand bordjt. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 12 Trav Head Weather Main menuP485 CEEFAX 2 485 Thu 25 Dec 22: </03 17/35 SUDAN (21/11/:7) :/3 Other areas, including Khartoum are generally, quiet, although discretion should be exercised in behaviour and dress. Avoid street demonstrations. Desert travel within Sudan should bj attempted only if fully equipped and experienced. Dui to the imposition of US economic sanctions on Sudan, visitors should not take US Dollars, either in cash or travellers cheques. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 12 Trav Head Wjathjt Main menuP485 CEEFAX 2 485 Thu 25 Dec 22:18/28 ^ 18/35 SUDAN (21/11/97) 3/3 Before travelling visitors should trek medical advice to ensure they have all necessary prophylactics or vaccinations. All British visitors should contact the British Embassy in Khartoum (til: 770 767, 770 769 ) and grep in touch throughout th ir stay Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 12 Trav Head Wjathjr Main menuP485 CEEFAX 2 485 Thu 25 Dec 22:17/53 19/35 SWAZILAND (02/12/97) 1/2 Swaziland is generally a peaceful country. But there is a growing numbjt of muggings, burglaries and car thefts, with expatriatrs bring targettjd. Sjvrral vehicles havr burn taken 1t gun point. It is inadvisable to pick up hitch- hikers. Avoid walking in the downtown areas of Mbbbanj and Manzinj after dark and driving out of towns at night because of stray li6estock on unlit roads 1nd some indifferent driving. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 12 Trav Head Wjathjr Main mjnz