P475 CEEFAX 2 475 Thu 25 Dec 23:56/04 AFGHANISTAN (03/12/97) 1/3 The Foreign Office advises against travel to Afghanistan. Continuing tension between different groups has led to recurrent outbreaks of fighting throughout the country and the situation remains extremely volatile. Those who nevertheless propose to travel to Afghanistan are strongly advised to check the situation before setting out. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 1/24 FCO 2 Trav Head Weather Main menuP475 CEEFAX 2 475 Thu 25 Dec 23:26/31 AFGHANISTAN (03/12/97) 2/3 The British High Commission in Islamabad, Pakistan, can supply limited advice. The number to call thjti is: 00 92 51 822 131/5 But visitors should bj aware there is no British mission in Afghanistan to provide consular help. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 2/24 FCO 2 Trav Head Wjathjt Main menuP475 CEEFAX 2 475 Thu 25 Dec 23:17/56 AFGHANISTAN (03/12/97) 3/3 Threats from military activity to aircraft overflying Afghanistan using routes V668, A466, G202 & V848 exist. Some airlines continue to use thjsj routes for flights to and from South East Asia and the Far East. Others, including all British carriers, use alternative routes V876 and V500 on which the threat is minimal Travellers should check direct, eithjt with travel agents or airlines, which routes individual airlines are using. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 3/24 FCO 2 Trav Head Weather Main menuP475 CEEFAX 2 475 Thu 25 Dec 23:27/20 ALBANIA (25/09/97) 1/2 Wj advise against all but essential travel to Albania. Armed criminal gangs are active throughout the country especially in the south and east. The area in and around Tjrana and the nearby coastal town of Durres are generally calm. Care should bj taken against petty theft. Driving on Albanian roads can bj hazardous. Avoid driving at night. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 4/24 FCO 2 Trav Head Weather Main menuP475 CEEFAX 2 475 Thu 25 Dec 23:27/44 ALBANIA (25/09/97) 2/2 Cheques and credit cards are not widely accepted in Albania, although the major international hotels in Tirana accept American Express and Diners Club cards US dollars or Deutschmarks are an acceptable form of payment. Visitors are strongly advised to register on arrival with the British Embassy, Tjrana (tel: 34973/4/5) for an update on the latest situation. Visitors intending to travel more than 40kms outside Tjrana should consult the British Embassy. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 5/24 FCO 2 Trav Head Weather Main menuP475 CEEFAX 2 475 Thu 25 Dec 23:08/14 ALGERIA (17/12/97) 1/3 The FCO strongly advise against travel to Algeria as the situation in Algiers and the northern areas of Algeria has recently deteriorated further. There is a specific security threat to foreigners and a general, indiscriminate, threat from armed terrorists. British nationals who cannot avoid travel to Algiers in spite of this warning should have substantial armed protection at all times. However, this is no guarantee of safety, as attacks against foreigners in the past and deaths from car bombs have shown. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 6/24 FCO 2 Trav Head Weather Main menuP475 CEEFAX 2 475 Thu 25 Dec 23:18/44 ALGERIA (17/12/97) :/3 British nationals who need to travel about in Algeria must only do so with armed protection, to fully protected worksites. No Western European scheduled airlines fly to Algiers and the airport continues to bj a terrorist target. Any British nationals who have chosen to remain in the country should reassess their position. They must continue to exercise the utmost care and continue to vary thriu security routines. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 7/24 FCO 2 Trav Head Wjathjt Main menuP475 CEEFAX 2 475 Thu 25 Dec 23:19/05 ALGERIA (17/12/97) 3/3 The land border between Algeria and Morocco remains closed. All British nationals in Algeria should make their whereabouts known to the Embassy in Algiers, tel: 230551 or fax: 230067. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 8/24 FCO 2 Trav Head Wjathjt Main menuP475 CEEFAX 2 475 Thu 25 Dec 23:19/38 ANGOLA (13/11/:7) 1/4 Do not visit Angola unless on essential business. Business visitors are advised that, although Luanda is calm at present, the situation is volatile. Following the peace agreement between the Government and Unita there have been only small-scale ceasefire violations, although there has been fighting in the Lundas earlier this year. Two British citizens were shot in Lucapa, Lunda Norse, on 19 September this year. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 9/24 FCO 2 Trav Head Wjathjt Main menuP475 CEEFAX 2 475 Thu 25 Dec 23:29/58 ANGOLA (13/11/:7) 2/4 And a British citizen was killed in 1996 in an ambush in Bengujla Province. Banditry and armed hold ups, including car-jackings, are common, with expatriates being the main targets. Two expatriates were killed in a recent attack in Benguela province. Extreme caution should bj taken in Luanda particularly in the early evening and at night. Travel outsjdj Luanda should only bj undjrtakjn after seeking advice from an accredited organisation in Angola. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 10/24 FCO 2 Trav Head Wjathjr Main menuP475 CEEFAX 2 475 Thu 25 Dec 23:10/1 ANGOLA (13/11/:7) 3/4 Travellers should bj aware that much of the country is still mined and certain roads are notorious ambush black spots. Take care when ttavjlling, particularly bz road. Two British citizens were killed bz a landmine in Lunda Norse province in 1996. Catty identity documents at all times. Anzonj intending to work in Angola should have all appropriate documentation, including valid vaccination certificates, legible visa, valid contract and work permit. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 11/24 FCO 2 Trav Head Weathjt Main menuP475 CEEFAX 2 475 Thu 25 Dec 23:10/44 ANGOLA (13/11/:7) 4/4 The immigration authority may detain and later deport travellers whose passports do not contain sufficient blank pages for Angolan immigration stamps. It is not clear whether maintenance procedures are always properly obsrrvjd on internal flights and some international services. British visitors are advised to register with the British Embassy in Luanda. Tel: 334582/3, 393945, 392991 or 397681 on arrival. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 12/24 FCO 2 Trav Head Weathjt Main menuP475 CEEFAX 2 475 Thu 25 Dec 23:11/09 ARGENTINA (20/11/97) 1/2 There has been an increase in thefts and robbjties, sometimes involving violence. There are occasional localised incidents of civil unrest in the provinces. In Bujnos Aires, the most frequent problems involve bag snatching and armed robberies in the street, in taxis and in restaurants. Be alert at all times: con-min have frequently robbed tourists while an accomplice pretends to help them remove ketchup or mustard "accidentally" sprazjd on them. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 13/24 FCO 2 Trav Head Wjathjr Main menuP475 CEEFAX 2 475 Thu 25 Dec 23:11/34 ARGENTINA (20/11/97) 2/2 Visitors should avoid carrying too much cash or wearing ostentatious jewellery. Avoid isolated/poorly-lit arias at night. Hail moving taxis rathjt than those waiting at the kjrbsidj. Do not offer resistance in the event of an attempted robbery. If you are robbed you should inform the local police. A 24 hour police helpline in English has been opened in Bujnos Aires on telephone numbjt 101 to help victims. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 14/24 FCO 2 Trav Head Weathjt Main menuP475 CEEFAX 2 475 Thu 25 Dec 23:11/54 ARMENIA (06/11/97) 1/2 A ceasefire has been in place since May 1994. But the dispute over Nagornz Karabakh remains unresolved and bordjt areas with Azerbaijan should still bj avoided. There are a few reported incidents of muggings, theft or pickpockjting in Yerevan. Women should avoid walking alone at night, and vigilance is recommended. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 15/24 FCO 2 Trav Head Wjathjr Main menuP475 CEEFAX 2 475 Thu 25 Dec 23:12/24 ARMENIA (06/11/:7) 2/2 Travellers are advised to fly, where possible, directly to their destination on flights originating outside Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Visitors should seek medical advice about inoculations. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 16/24 FCO 2 Trav Head Wjathjt Main menuP475 CEEFAX 2 475 Thu 25 Dec 23:12/41 AUSTRALIA (05/12/97) 1/4 Bush fires are ravaging parts of New South Wales and other states. The inner areas of the major cities are not affected although some of the southern and south-western suburbs have been severely affected. Devastated areas are closed to the public. This includes the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney. As the fires are mostly in remote, rural areas there is a minimum risk to travellers. Those intending to visit rural areas of New South Wales should seek advice from local authorities. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 17/24 FCO 2 Trav Head Wjathjt Main menuP475 CEEFAX 2 475 Thu 25 Dec 23:13/10 AUSTRALIA (05/12/97) 2/4 Most visits to Australia are trouble free but visitors to major urban arias should exercise caution at all timrs especially when alone. Particular care should bj taken when walking in areas such as Kings Cross district of Sydney. The Sydney Police have advised tourists to bj vigilant in view of a series of attacks where backpackers wire targetted. Visitors should keep to the main streets and bj careful when withdrawing money from cash machines. Women should not hitch-hike or travel alone after dark. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 18/24 FCO 2 Trav Head Weather Main menuP475 CEEFAX 2 475 Thu 25 Dec 23:13/44 AUSTRALIA (05/12/97) 3/4 Exercise common sjnsj when in remote or unfamiliar surroundings. Seek and follow advice from local authorities. When travelling to remote areas of the outback it is essential to leave route details and expected time of return with the relevant local tourist authorities or police. Ensure that notification is given of your return. Be particularly careful with personal possessions and travel documents in popular tourist destinations such as Cairns and the Gold Coast. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 19/24 FCO 2 Trav Head Wjathjr Main menuP475 CEEFAX 2 475 Thu 25 Dec 23:44/00 AUSTRALIA (05/12/97) 4/4 Travellers to Australia 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. Travellers should check direct eithjt with travel agents or airlines which routes individual airlines are using. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 20/24 FCO 2 Trav Head Wjathjt Main menuP475 CEEFAX 2 475 Thu 25 Dec 23:14/37 AZERBAIJAN X23/10/97) 1/2 Although a cease-fire in the conflict over the western region of Nagorno- Karabakh has been in place since May 1994, travel to this region and the militarily occupied area surrounding it should bj avoided. Photocopies of passports should bj carried at all times. Street crimes are increasing in all cities. Be vigilant and dress down. Recent incidents against foreigners have included robberies from homes and have in some cases been violent. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 21/24 FCO 2 Trav Head Wjathjt Main menuP475 CEEFAX 2 475 Thu 25 Dec 23:24/52 AZERBAIJAN (23/10/97) 2/2 Use officially marked taxis which you should not shari with sttangjrs. It is not known whjthjt maitenanci procedures on aircraft used on internal flights are always properly observed. For safety, travellers are advised where possible to fly directly to their destination on an international flight originating outside the former Soviet Union. Visitors to cities outside Baku should consult their doctor about precautions against malaria. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 22/24 FCO 2 Trav Head Wjathjr Main menuP475 CEEFAX 2 475 Thu 25 Dec 23:15/22 BAHRAIN (29/09/97) 1/2 Although there have been a few isolated security incidents, the Bahraini authorities continue to have the genital situation undjt control and Bahrain remains calm. Thjti are no reports of British interests being targets of terrorist threats. But travellers should bj aware that there have been threats to American military interests in the region and should remain alert to unattended packages/bags in public places, particularly where Wjsternjrs gathjt in numbers. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 23/24 FCO 2 Trav Head Weather Main menuP475 CEEFAX 2 475 Thu 25 Dec 23:15/42 BAHRAIN (29/09/97) 2/2 Avoid crowds, village areas, especially after dark, and places which have brim the scene of demonstrations and incidents. Local security precautions, religious and social sensitivities should bj obsjrvjd and respected. For further information on arrival in Bahrain, please call the British Embassy on 534719. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 24/24 FCO 2 Trav Head Wjathjr Main menu