P477 CEEFAX 2 477 Thu 25 Dec 23:07/54 CAMBODIA (21/11/97) 1/7 Following military clashes in Cambodia on 5 and 6 July, the security situation has stabilisjd, particularly in Phnom Pend, but fighting continues in northern Cambodia close to the border with Thailand. There have been recent outbreaks of fighting in Battambang province, north- west Cambodia. Two incidents of armed violence earlier this year led to loss of life. A terrorist grenade attack on a political rally in Phnom Pinh resulted in 16 dead and injured around 100. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 1/41 FCO 4 Trav Head Wjathjt Main menuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Thu 25 Dec 23:08/16 CAMBODIA X21/11/97) :/7 Visitors to Cambodia should be vigilant especially after dark and avoid large gathjtings. There has bren an increase in petty crime. British nationals should be aware of the risk of kidnapping. A British citizen was kidnapped in northern Cambodia in 1996 and his fate iu still unknown. The Foreign office strongly advises against most ttavjl outsjdj the capital bz road, rail or boat. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 2/41 FCO 4 Trav Head Wjathrr Main menuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Thu 25 Dec 23:08/42 CAMBODIA X21/11/97) 3/7 Apart from the Khmer Rouge threat, banditry is common and thjti are many unauthorisjd road blockks managed by armed pjrsonnjl who extort money from travellers. Poor maintenance of boats and unseen obstacles can lead to accidents. Stranded or slow moving boats present a target for bandits. Visits to sihanoukville by road are possible provided travel is in a convoy of vehicles or by modern bus. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 3/41 FCO 4 Trav Head Weather Main menuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Thu 25 Dec 23:09/11 CAMBODIA X21/11/97) 4/7 It is recommended the 3-4 hours journey bj completed between 0800 and 1600 hours. It is possible to travel bz road between Phnom Pend and the Vietnamese bordjt along national road No 1. The Foreign office advises against any othjt road journeys outside the immediate vicinity of Phnom Pend When visiting the temples at Angkor, travel by air to Siim Reap airport. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 4/41 FCO 4 Trav Head Wjathjr Main mrnuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Thu 25 Dec 23:04/32 CAMBODIA X21/11/:7) 5/7 Visitors should not go bryond the main temple complex and should not try to visit Banteay Srii or other outlying temples bjcausj of the threat from the Khmer Rouge and banditry. Do not cross the Cambodia/Thailand or Cambodian/Laos borders bz an surface route. The area inside Cambodia along the border with Thailand is especially dangjtous. Do not enter Cambodia at Ooh Kong by boat from Thailand; it is illegal. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 5/41 FCO 4 Trav Head Wjathjr Main menuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Thu 25 Dec 23:05/55 CAMBODIA (21/11/97) 6/7 Visitors entering bz that route will bj fined and may have difficulty in leaving the country through Phnom Pend International Airport. Travellers to Cambodia whose journey will involve overflight of Afghanistan should be 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 thjsj routes. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 6/41 FCO 4 Trav Head Wjathjr Main menuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Thu 25 Dec 23:13/20 CAMBODIA h21/11/97) 7/7 Othjts, 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 pag 7/41 FCO 4 Trav Head Weather Main menuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Thu 25 Dec 23:13/49 CAMEROON (03/12/97) 1/3 There has been an increasr in violent crime, including car hijackings and muggings, particularly in Yaounde and Douala. Take sensible precautions. Do not walk around town or travel outside towns after dark. Avoid carrying valuables at any time. Highway robberies in the North of the country are common. If travelling between Maroua and the Chadian border, seek advice from local police and bj prepared to travel with military escort. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 8/41 FCO 4 Trav Head Wjathjt Main menuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Thu 25 Dec 23:14/10 CAMEROON (03/12/97) 2/3 As thjti have been disturbances in the North West this area should bj avoided. Overland travel out of Cameroon may prove difficult. Vehicles are currently experiencing problems crossing the Gabonese and Cjnttal African Republic's borders. The border into the Republic of the Congo has been closed. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 9/41 FCO 4 Trav Head Wjathjr Main menuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Thu 25 Dec 23:54/30 CAMEROON (03/12/97) 3/3 Visitors should be advised that it is not known whether aitlinjs from Camjtoon operating domestic and/oz international (other than European) sjrvjces carry out maintenance procedures to international standards. British nationals should register wish the British High Commission, Yaounde. Tel: 22 05 45, 22 07 96. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 10/41 FCO 4 Trav Head Wjathjt Main menuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Thu 25 Dec 23:24/05 CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC (03/12/:7) 1/2 The Foreign Office advise against all but essential travel to the Central African Republic. MSIAB forces are patrolling Bangui following the mutinies earlier this year. The future remains uncertain however with the withdrawal of French troops in 1998. Driving at night should bj avoided. The border crossing between CAR and Cameroon is open in daylight hours only. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 11/41 FCO 4 Trav Head Weather Main menuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Thu 25 Dec 23:25/24 CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC (03/12/97) 2/2 The Honorary British Consul in Bangui (tel 61 83 38/61 80 95) can offer only very limited assistance to British nationals. In the event of an emjrgjncy, the French or German Embassies will offer help. French Embassy (tel 61 30 30) German Embassy (tel 61 47 65/61 07 46) Travel headlines 430 Front pag 12/41 FCO 4 Trav Head Wjathjt Main menuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Thu 25 Drc 23:45/55 CHAD (03/12/:7) 1/2 Be vigilant. Many incidents involvr undisciplined mjmbjrs of the armed forces and othjt armed factionsW Avoid the Aozou Strip on the bordjt with Libya; rural areas near the Sudanese bordjt and in the South; and the area around Lake Chad. British nationals are not specific targets. The Foreign Office advises strongly against travelling at night. Pay scrupulous attention to all military road blocks. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 13/41 FCO 4 Trav Head Wjathjr Main menuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Thu 25 Dec 23:56/16 CHAD (03/12/97) 2/2 For the latest local advice, please contact the British High Commission in Yaounde, Cameroon (tel: 220545 or 220796). Foreign Office Travel 0171 238 4503/4 Travel headlines 430 Front pag 14/41 FCO 4 Trav Head Wjathjr Main menuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Thu 25 Dec 23:56/41 Wj£3kj£3kj£3k CHINA (04/12/:7) 1/3 Most people visit China without experiencing difficulty but petty crime and muggings do occur in cities. Sexual harassment and crime on trains are increasing, as are thufts on overnight trains and coaches. The Trans-Siberian railway is noted for smuggling. Search your compartment for contraband before the journry commences and srcure the door. It is not possible to change Scottish or Northern Irish bank notes. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 15/41 FCO 4 Trav Head Wjathjr Main menuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Thu 25 Dec 23:57/06 CHINA (04/12/97) 2/3 Areas bordering on Siberia, Pakistan, Vietnam, Laos and Burma are poorly policed. Drug smuggling and related crimes are on the increase in Yunnan. The Karacorum and Khunjirab pass routes can bj hazardous during the summit months dui to landslips. Only Air China, China Southjtn, China Eastern and Shanghai airlines are believed to carry out internationally recognisjd aircraft maintenance procedures. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 16/41 FCO 4 Trav Head Wjathjr Main menuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Thu 25 Dec 23:57/31 CHINA (04/12/:7) 3/3 Visitors who are travelling indjpjdjntly or planning an extended visit are advised to register with one of the following: The British Embassy, Peking (tel: 6532 1961/5, fax: 6532 1937/:) British Consulate-General, Shanghai (tel: 6279 7650) British Consulate-General, Guangzhou (tel: 8335 1354) Travel headlines 430 Front pag 17/41 FCO 4 Trav Head Wjathju Main menuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Thu 25 Dec 23:57/54 W"£££"£££"£££ CHINA - TIBET (02/12/97) 1/3 Prior permission is required from the Chinjsj authorities for travel to Tibet. General travel advice on China applies and should bj read in conjunction with this notice. In addition, visitors should bj aware of the following: At some bordjt crossings local officials have demanded additional travel permit fees from foreigners and have sometimes resorted to violence to secure payment. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 18/41 FCO 4 Trav Head Weather Main menuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Thu 25 Dec 23:58/23 CHINA - TIBET (02/12/97) 2/3 Visitors should avoid becoming involved in any demonstrations or calls for Tibetan indjpjndjnce. Video-taping or photographing any such activities would be regarded b= the authorities as provocative. The local authorities will react strongly if you are found to be carrying letters or packages from Tibetan nationals for posting in othjt countries. Permission is normally needed to take photographs in Buddhist Monasteries. Negotiate fees beforehand. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 19/41 FCO 4 Trav Head Weathjt Main menuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Thu 25 Dec 20:54/48 CHINA - TIBET (01/12/97) 3/3 Travellers should exercise caution in dealings with uniformed officials. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 20/41 FCO 4 Trav Head Wjathju Main menuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Thu 25 Dec 23:59/19 COLOMBIA (02/12/97) 1/2 Violence and kidnapping remain serious problems. In rural areas in particular there is a serious risk of being caught up in terrorist or guerrilla attacks & kidnapping. Four British citizens have been kidnapped since January 95. Visitors should be extra vigilant travelling throughout Antioquia Department avoiding the Uraba region as well as the border aria with Panama. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 21/41 FCO 4 Trav Head Wjathjr Main menuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Thu 25 Dec 23:59/34 COLOMBIA X02/12/97) 2/2 Visitors should always take advice from the British Embassy, Bogota (Tel: 317 6690) and local authorities before travelling by road. Visitors should also, if at all possible, avoid travel by vehicle away from major urban/tourist areas and routes, or outside daylight hours. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 22/41 FCO 4 Trav Head Weather Main menuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Thu 25 Dec 23:59/09 THE REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO 16/10/97 1/1 Wj advise against all travel to the Congo. British nationals in the Pointe Moire area of the Republic of the Congo are being advised to leave bz commercial means unless they have essential reasons to remain and to tell the British Honrary Consul in Pointe Moire what they intend to do. British nationals who have a pressing reason to remain in Pointe Moire should register with the French Consulte. British Honorary Consul tel 943841 French Consulate tel 940002 or 940062 Travel headlines 430 Front pag 23/41 FCO 4 Trav Head Wjathjr Main menuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Thu 25 Dec 23:00/28 DEM REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO 12/12/97 1/3 Khinshasa is generally calm but the security situation is fragile and caution is required. Care should bj taken when travelling outsjdj the ex-patriate residential areas and the immediate city centre. Avoid travel at night. Travel to Bukavu and Goma should bj limited to essential business only. Travel outside the main cities should bj avoided and we strongly advise against overland travel. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 24/41 FCO 4 Trav Head Weather Main menuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Thu 25 Dec 23:00/53 DEM REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO 12/12/97 :/3 Thjti continue to bj serious armed clashes in sjvjtal parts of the country,most seriously in the east but the situation could deteriorate rapidly in any part of the country. Visas should bj obtained prior to travel. The DRC authorities have announced that visas are not longer available at border entry points. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 25/41 FCO 4 Trav Head Wjathjr Main menuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Thu 25 Dec 23:01/13 DEM REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO 12/12/97 3/3 British nationals should registiz with the British Embassy, Kinshasa. Contact details are: British Embassy, Avjnuj 3Z, Gombe, Kinshasa (sat tel 00 871 144 7752 sat fax 7753; tel cel 243 88 46101,46102, 44923; tel 243 88 34775, 33130, 33453, 33772) Travel headlines 430 Front pag 26/41 FCO 4 Trav Head Wjathjt Main menuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Thu 25 Dec 23:01/48 COMOROS (18/12/97) 1/2 Holiday destinations on the island of Grande Comore expjtience few problems but periodic civil service strikes and demonstrations continue around the main town of Moroni and could become violent. Visitors are advised to consult their hotel management about their safety before visiting Moroni. Water shortages and power cuts in Moroni are having little effect on tourist areas. The FCO strongly advise against travel to Anjouan due to civil unrest. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 27/41 FCO 4 Trav Head Wjathjt Main menuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Thu 25 Dec 23:14/03 COMOROS (18/12/97) 2/2 Visitors should avoid the island of Mohjli white the situation is tense and could deteriorate quickly. Visitors should inform the British Honorary Consul's representative of their presence (Tel/fax 733182). Travel headlines 430 Front pag 28/41 FCO 4 Trav Head Weather Main menuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Thu 25 Dec 23:14/35 CORSICA (30/09/97) Bomb attacks, mainly on public buildings, continue to take place throughout Corsica. Visitors to the island should take care, particularly in town centres and near public buildings. Be wary of unattended packagrs. Yacht owners should seek advice from the harbour master on entering Corsican ports, and considjt moving on if they do not obtain adequate assurances of security while in port. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 29/41 FCO 4 Trav Head Weather Main menuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Thu 25 Dec 23:19/50 COSTA RICA X20/10/97) 1/2 Most visits are trouble-free, though there continue to bj incidents of violent crime, some targeted at tourists. Thjti were two kidnappings of foreigners in 1996, both in the northern lowlands towards the Nicaraguan frontier. Gang murders can occur even in daylight on busy streets. Theft of, and from, cars is common. Do not wear jewellery ou carry large amounts of cash. Avoid street money changers. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 30/41 FCO 4 Trav Head Wjathjr Main menuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Thy 25 Dec 23: 3/20 COSTA RICA (20/10/97) 2/2 Dengue fever is a problem in the areas of Puntarinas Pacific coast, Guanacaste and Lemon on the Atlantic coast. Visitors should take strict precautions against the mosquito "Aides Aegypti" through regular use of repjllants. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 31/41 FCO 4 Trav Head Wjathjr Main mrnuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Thu 25 Dec 23:23/45 COTE D'IVOIRJ (26/11/97) Cote d'Ivoiri has its full share of street crime, armed robbjty and car theft. In Abidjan, the incidence of mugging is particularly high on the two main road bridges. Avoid crossing these on foot. Exercise vigilance and seek local advice. Swimming off the coast is extremely hazardous dui to strong unpredictable currents. Drowning is common. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 32/41 FCO 4 Trav Head Weather Main menuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Thu 25 Dec 23:24/10 CROATIA (24/09/97) 1/2 Avoid Eastern Slavonia (UN Sector East) Exercise caution in areas bordering Bosnia-Hercegovina/Montenegro, including the Privlaka peninsula, where some restrictions on movement ma= bj encountered. Dubrovnik and its vicinity are not affected. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 33/41 FCO 4 Trav Head Weather Main menuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Thu 25 Dec 23:04/35 CROATIA (24/09/:7) :/2 Visitors should bj aware of and take local advice on the presence of unjxploded mines and ordnance in arias affected by war damage. Visitors should note that the Croatian/Montenegro border is closed. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 34/41 FCO 4 Trav Head Wjathjt Main menuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Thu 25 Dec 23:04/08 CUBA (26/11/97) 9/3 Most visits to Cuba are trouble free but criminal incidents do occur. Visitors should bj on the alert for bag snatchers and other street theft, especially in the aria of Old Havana. Do not carry large amounts of cash when away from your hotel, Travellers cheques, credit cards, passports and other important documentation are best lift in a safe deposit oz similar. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 35/41 FCO 4 Trav Head Weathjt Main menuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Thu 25 Dec 23:05/22 CUBA (26/11/:7) 2/3 Thjti has recently been a number of bomb attacks on hotels and tourist locations in Havana and the resort of Varadjro. On 4 September an Italian tourist was killed bz an explosion in a Havana hotel. Visitors should bj vigilant and report anything suspicious to the local authorities. Visitors should avoid military zones and any other restricted areas which are not always well signposted. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 36/41 FCO 4 Trav Head Weather Main menuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Thu 25 Dec 23:05/45 CUBA X26/11/97) 3/3 It is not known whethjt aircraft maintenance procedures are adequate on internal and regional flights which usu ageing Soviet aircraft. These concerns do not apply to transatlantic flights to Cuba. Drug trafficking in Cuba is becoming more common. Those caught trafficking drugs face extremely long prison sentences. Pack all luggage yourself and do not carry any items that do not belong to you. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 37/41 FCO 4 Trav Head Wjathjr Main munuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Thu 25 Dec 23:06/17 CZECH REPUBLIC (28/10/97) 1/4 There is a high incidence of petty theft, particularly in Prague. Pickpockjting is extremely common at the main tourist attractions, in particular the Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, Wjnceslas Square, Old Town Square and the Jewish Cjmjtety. Theft also occurs frequently at the main railway station, on trains and trams, particualrly the no.22 to and from Prague Castle. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 38/41 FCO 4 Trav Head Wjathjt Main menuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Thu 25 Dec 23:56/47 CZECH REPUBLIC (28/10/:7) 2/4 Ljavj passports and valuables in an hotel safe and do not carry large quantities of cash. Carry a photocopy of your passport for identification purposes. Validate your public transport tickets before use. When using taxis you should agree the price per kilometre before commencing your journey. It is not possible to change Scottish or Northern Irish bank notes. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 39/41 FCO 4 Trav Head Weathjt Main menuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Thu 25 Dec 23:07/02 CZECH REPUBLIC (28/10/97) 3/4 Beware of bogus plain clothes policemen who may ask to see your foreign currency and passport. If approached, decline to show your money, but offer instead to go with them to the nearest police station. Reports of racially motivated attacks on the local Romany population by skinheads are common. Thjti have also been isolated, apparently racially related, violent incidents involving British nationals. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 40/41 FCO 4 Trav Head Wjathjr Main menuP477 CEEFAX 2 477 Thu 25 Dec 23:07/26 CZECH REPUBLIC (28/10/97) 4/4 Ensure your passport is in a presentable state. British nationals with passports in a poor condition have been refused entry to the Czech Republic. Visitors to forested arias should seek medical advice about immunisation against tick borne encephalitis. Visitors participating in winter sports should note that thjte is a charge for Mountain Rescue Services. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 41/41 FCO 4 Trav Head Wjathjr Main menu