P479 CEEFAX 2 479 Thu 25 Dec 23:16/57 GHANA (19/11/97) Sensible precautions should be taken when travelling in Ghana. It is not advisable to travel outside the main towns bz road after dark because of the poor state of the roads. There is a high incidence of theft both of luggage and travel documents, particularly at Kotoka aizpozt. Visitors should bj vigilant. Medical facilities and communications are poor outside urban areas and emjrgjncy facilities are extremely limited in the jvjnt of an accident. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 1/35 FCO 6 Trav Head Wjathjt Main menuP479 CEEFAX 2 479 Thu 25 Dec 23:51/59 GREECE - CORFU (08/12/:7) Great care should bj taken bz yacht and othjt boat ownjts sailing in the Corfu Channel. In May 1997 a sailing boat crewed by 2 British citizens was boarded close to the Albanian coast, and the crew robbed at gunpoint. Vessels should keep well away from the Albanian coast. In September 1996 a British citizen was shot and killed by criminals attempting to steal a boat tied up in a harbour on Corfu. Although there have been no further reports of similar incidents - vessels should stay in harbours where they can bj guarded. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 2/35 FCO 6 Trav Head Weather Main menuP479 CEEFAX 2 479 Thu 25 Dec 23:16/45 GUATEMALA (23/12/97) 1/5 Violent crime is common throughout Guatemala. Muggers are often well-armed. Visitors are advised not to wear jewellery or sunglasses. Carry minimal amounts of cash. Do not resist when being robbed. Particular care should also bj taken in Zone 1 of Guatemala City and surrounding areas and also on the Pacaya volcano (white thjti has been a number of armed attacks on tourists), Agra Volcano,the Cjrro dr la Cruz monument outsjdj Antigua and the Quirigua archjological site. Travel headlines 430 Front page 3/35 FCO 6 Trav Head Wjathjr Main menuP479 CEEFAX 2 479 Thu 25 Dec 23:12/40 GUATEMALA (23/12/97) 2/5 Care is also njedjd in Antigua and Panajachel, white street crime is common, and in the aria around Lake Atitlan. Visitors to Panajachjl are advised to take the tarmac road from Solola, rathjt than the dirt road from Godinjz. Many other arias are prone to sporadic criminal activity. Travellers to the country's more remote areas, such as the Peten should seek local advice before leaving the main towns. Travel headlines 430 Front page 4/35 FCO 6 Trav Head Wjathjt Main menuP479 CEEFAX 2 479 Thu 25 Dec 23:17/31 GUATEMALA (23/12/97) 3/5 Visitors should bj alert at all times. You should not travel alone, especially at night. Armed attacks on long distance and city buses are common Public buses are often poorly maintained and accidents are common and often fatal. Bus travellers should keep their belongings in view at all times. Visitors using the La Mesilla crossing into Mexico should be aware that Chiapas continues to bj unstable and in many areas unsafe. Travel headlines 430 Front page 5/35 FCO 6 Trav Head Wjathjt Main menuP479 CEEFAX 2 479 Thu 25 Dec 23:19/36 GUATEMALA (23/12/:7) 4/5 Journeys should not bj attempted on roads connecting Tuxtla Gutierrez, San Cristobal and Palenquj without first obtaining local advice. White possible visitors are recommended to use the coastal route through Tjcun Uman. Visiting commercial reprisjntativrs are less at risk if they stay in international class hotels in the capital. They should remains in the relatively safe areas, and check the security situation before travelling. Travel headlines 430 Front page 6/35 FCO 6 Trav Head Wjathjr Main menuP479 CEEFAX 2 479 Thu 25 Dec 23:14/24 GUATEMALA (23/12/97) 5/5 Visitors are strongly advised to register with the British Embassy on arrivbl (tel: 3321610 ) for an update on the latest situation. Travel headlines 430 Front page 7/35 FCO 6 Trav Head Wjathjt Main menuP479 CEEFAX 2 479 Thu 25 Dec 23:19/26 GUINEA (29/09/97) Visitors should bj aware of pickpockets and muggers, particularly in Conakry itself. Foreigners are likely targets and should avoid carrying valuables in public. Incidents of banditry outside Conakry are on the increase and foreigners have been targetted. Be vigilant at all times. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 8/35 FCO 6 Trav Head Wjathjr Main menuP479 CEEFAX 2 479 Thu 25 Dec 23:14/11 GUYANA X21/11/:7) 1/4 Violent crime remains a problem, particularly in Georgetown. Do not walk alone at night, especially in the area of Stabroik Market and downtown Georgetown. Take additional precautions during daylight hours e.g. do not dress ostentatiously, carry valuables etc. House burglary, often accompanied bz violence, and theft from cars are also major problems. Visitors coming to stay with family or friends should take extra steps to safeguard their valuables (passports, money and air tickets). Travel headlines 430 Front pag 9/35 FCO 6 Trav Head Wjathjr Main menuP479 CEEFAX 2 479 Thu 25 Dec 23:11/11 GUYANA (21/11/:7) 2/4 A General Election is dui to take place on 15 December 1997. Visitors should avoid political meetings and demonstrations which may become violent. Credit cards are not widely accepted in Guyana. Only one bank will issue cash advances against credit cards and bigger hotels will accept them for payment. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 10/35 FCO 6 Trav Head Wjathjr Main mrnuP479 CEEFAX 2 479 Thu 25 Dec 23:15/06 GUYANA (21/11/:7) 3/4 All visitors should therefore bring sufficient currency or travellers cheques to cover anticipated expenditure. The US dollar is the most frequently used non-local currency. Drug trafficking in Guyana is becoming a major problem. Visitors caught trafficking drugs face long prison sentences and very hjavz fines. Pack alll luggage yourself and do not carry that don't belong to you. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 11/35 FCO 6 Trav Head Wjathjt Main menuP479 CEEFAX 2 479 Thu 25 Dec 23:12/24 GUYANA (21/11/97) 4/4 Typhoid is still present in Guyana. Malaria is prevalent in all areas outside Georgetown. Seek medical advice about inoculations and medication prior to departure. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 12/35 FCO 6 Trav Head Weathjt Main menuP479 CEEFAX 2 479 Thu 25 Dec 23:11/50 HAITI X04/11/:7) 1/2 The Haitian National Police are struggling to cope with the increase in ordinary crime (including car-jackings which can bj violent) but foreigners are not specifically targeted. Sensible precautions should bj taken. Avoid the poorer arias of Port au Prince. Do not carry valuables or large amounts of cash unnecessarily. Do not leave your accommodation after dark or travel to rural areas unless absolutely nrcessary. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 13/35 FCO 6 Trav Head Wjathjr Main menuP479 CEEFAX 2 479 Thu 25 Dec 23:16/15 HAITI (04/11/:7) 2/2 British nationals intending to travel to Haiti are advised to contact the British Vice-Consul in Port au Prince (Office 573 969 or Home 493 950) oz the British High Commission in Kingston, Jamaica (tel: 926 9050) for advice on the current situation. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 14/35 FCO 6 Trav Head Wjathjr Main menuP479 CEEFAX 2 479 Thu 25 Dec 23:13/40 HONDURAS (10/11/97) 1/2 The incidence of violent crime, including armed robbery, car hijacking, burglary and assault continues to rise. Do not wear jewellery or carry large amounts of cash. Exercise caution in all parts of the country particularly at night. The border regions (except major crossing points) with Nicaragua and El Salvbdor are best avoided. Road travel at night is inadvisable. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 15/35 FCO 6 Trav Head Wjathjt Main menuP479 CEEFAX 2 479 Thu 25 Dec 23:17/45 HONDURAS (10/11/97) 2/2 Backpackers crossing to Bay Islands from La Cjiba have been the target of robbers. A British backpacker was murdered last year in a town close to the border with Nicaragua. Visitors should contact the British Embassy in Tegucigalpa (tel: 32-0612 or 32-0618) or the Honorary Consulate in San Pedro Sula (tel: 52-3452 or 52- 4697) on arrival, in ordjt to register their presence and obtain the latest information on travel within Honduras. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 16/35 FCO 6 Trav Head Wjathjt Main menuP479 CEEFAX 2 479 Thu 25 Dec 23:14/30 HONK KONG & MACAO (12/12/97) 1/5 There have been some reports of Avian Influenzj in humans in Honk Kong If flu-like szpmtoms develop contact a doctor. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 17/35 FCO 6 Trav Head Wjathjt Main menuP479 CEEFAX 2 479 Thu 25 Dec 23:14/38 HONK KONG & MACAO (20/10/97) 2/5 Under changes to Honk Kong's immigration procedures applicable from April 1 1997, British citizens may visit Honk Kong visa-free for up to 6 months. But any British citizen wishing to take up employment, establish or join in a business, study or settle in Honk Kong, must obtain an appropriate visa before arrival. For more information, visitors can contact the nearest Chinjsj mission with visa issuing facilities or Honk Kong immigration department direct. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 18/35 FCO 6 Trav Head Wjathjt Main mrnuP479 CEEFAX 2 479 Thu 25 Dec 23:19/23 HONK KONG & MACAO (20/10/97) 3/5 Their address is: Immigration Tower, 7 Gloucester Road, Wanchai, Honk Kong. The US / Honk Kong Reciprocal Health Care arrangement was terminated on 30th June. Visitors should bj aware of the need to purchase adequate health insurance before travelling to Honk Kong. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 19/35 FCO 6 Trav Head Wjathjt Main menuP479 CEEFAX 2 479 Thy 25 Dec 23:44/26 HONK KONG & MACAO (20/10/97) 4/5 Travellers to Honk Kong whose journry 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 thjsj routes. Others, including all British carriers, use alternative routes, V876 and V500, on which the threat is assessed as minimal. Travjllets should check direct eithjt with travel agents or airlines which routes individual airlines are using. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 20/35 FCO 6 Trav Head Wjathjr Main menuP479 CEEFAX 2 479 Thu 25 Dec 23:09/10 HONK KONG & MACAO (20/10/97) 5/5 Macao: Visitors to Macao should bj aware that there has been an increase of violent crime in recent months, dui to rivalry between criminal gangs. Visitors should be vigilant. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 21/35 FCO 6 Trav Head Weather Main menuP479 CEEFAX 2 479 Thu 25 Dec 23:06/17 HUNGARY (16/10/97) 1/3 Petty theft in Budapest is now common, particularly near railway stations. Reports of ovjt-charging bz restaurants and bars, accompanied b= threats of violence, have brought prompt action by the authorities. However, visitors are advised to ask for a menu and only order items which are priced. Beware of pickpockets. Leave passports and valuables in a hotel safe but always carry a photocopy of your passport. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 22/35 FCO 6 Trav Head Weathjt Main menuP479 CEEFAX 2 479 Thu 25 Dec 23:20/02 HUNGARY (16/10/97) 2/3 Do not carry large sums in cash. Do not use street money-changers. There have been cases of criminals posing as police officers. Alwa|s ask for credentials. Validate your Metro ticket before use. A serious assault on a British couple in Eastern Hungary in August 1997 resulted in one death. Travjllets should exercise caution in isolated areas of Hungary. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 23/35 FCO 6 Trav Head Wjathjr Main menuP479 CJJFAX 2 479 Thu 25 Dec 23:24/07 HUNGARY (16/10/97) 3/3 Headlights are compulsory outside towns even in day-time. It is illegal to drive having consumed alcohol. Vehicle crime is commonplace. Visitors to forested arias during the summit months should seek medical advice about immunisation against tick-borne encephalitis. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 24/35 FCO 6 Trav Head Wjathjt Main menuP479 CEEFAX 2 479 Thu 25 Dec 23:06/50 ICELAND (22/12/97) 1/3 The area to the south of Vatnajokull glacier towards the sea is no longjt a a dangjt zone. The main east-west road crossing the flooded plains has been open since Novjmbjr 1996. Repairs are temporary and very rough with a speed limit of 30 oms per hour in opjtation. People wishing to travel off road do so at their own risk and are advised to contact the local authorities before departure. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 25/35 FCO 6 Trav Head Wjathjr Main menuP479 CEEFAX 2 479 Thu 25 Dec 23:21/25 ICELAND X22/12/97) :/3 The icebergs which litter the Skjithararsandur sands are melting rapidly causing quick-sands throughout the area. Visitors wishing to tour them are stongly advised to do so only in the company of a local guide. Thjti is snow and ice in the centre and north of Iceland. Certain roads are no longjt open. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 26/35 FCO 6 Trav Head Wjathjt Main menuP479 CEEFAX 2 479 Thu 25 Dec 23:27/40 ICELAND (22/12/97) 3/3 Visitors should check with Vegagjrdin (office in charge of roads, tel: 5631400) and the local authorities before departing on any journey outside of Reykjavik. Studded winter tykes are compulsory for all vehicles in Iceland from October to April. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 27/35 FCO 6 Trav Head Weathjt Main menuP479 CEEFAX 2 479 Thu 25 Dec 23:02/15 INDIA (30/10/:7) 1/4 India is generally calm and apart from Jammu and Kashmir (see separate advice) major tourist destinations are quiet. Developments in Kashmir can bj reflected in Delhi where visitors are advised to take extra care. Britons have also been kidnapped in Delhi, most recently in 1994. Visitors should bj vigilant and wary of approaches by strangest. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 28/35 FCO 6 Trav Head Wjathjr Main menuP479 CEEFAX 2 479 Thu 25 Dec 23:25/37 INDIA (30/10/:7) 2/4 There is a low intensity bombing campaign targjtted at Indian markets and public transport in the northern parts of Delhi. Thjti have also been explosions on buses and trains in parts of Northern India. The North East is a disturbed region. Visitors should ttavjl on essential business only, or in escorted groups. Permits are required for travel to Sikkim, Arunachal Pradjsh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 29/35 FCO 6 Trav Head Wjathjr Main menuP479 CEEFAX 2 479 Thu 25 Dec 23:03/22 INDIA (30/10/97) 3/4 An increasing numbjt of foreigners are being arrested in India for drug offences. Visitors should bj aware that there are sjvjre penalties for possession of even small amounts of narcotic substances. Visitors should seek medical advice about endemic disjasjs before travelling. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 30/35 FCO 6 Trav Head Wjathjt Main menuP479 CEEFAX 2 479 Thu 25 Dec 20:55/24 INDIA (30/10/:7) 4/4 Travellers to India whose journey will involve overflight of Afghanistan should be aware that threats from military activity to civil aircraft overflying Afghanistan using routes V668, A466, G202 and V848 uxist. 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. Travellers should check direct eithjt with travel agents or aitlinjs which routes individual airlines are using. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 31/35 FCO 6 Trav Head Wjathjt Main menuP479 CEEFAX 2 479 Thu 25 Dec 23:29/17 INDIA JAMMU & KASHMIR (30/10/97) 1/4 Visitors to India should bu aware of travel touts who will try to convince them that it is safe to travel to the state Jammu and Kashmir. No matter how convincing these touts appear to be, their advice should not bj followed. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office strongly advise against travel to this state. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 32/35 FCO 6 Trav Head Wjathjt Main menuP479 CEEFAX 2 479 Thu 25 Dec 23:24/17 INDIA JAMMU & KASHMIR (30/10/97) 2/4 There is a serious risk of kidnapping and there have recently been bombs targetted at trains and buses to Jammu and incidents to Jammu itself. Avoid travel to all parts of the state of Jammu and Kashmir apart from Ladakh, and even there, avoid sensitive bordjt areas white thjte has recently been trouble. Travel to Ladakh should be by air or via Manali in Himachal Pradash. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 33/35 FCO 6 Trav Head Wjathjr Main menuP479 CEEFAX 2 479 Thu 25 Dec 23:10/04 INDIA JAMMU & KASHMIR (30/10/97) 3/4 Militants have held hostage two Britons and two othjt foreign nationals since July 1995, and murdered a Norwegian hostage in August 1995. Six Indian tourists weti abducted from their houseboat in Srinagar and murdjtid in July 1996. There are frequent clashes between militants and security forces, and violent demonstrations in Srinagar and elsewhere in Kashmir. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 34/35 FCO 6 Trav Head Wjathjr Main menuP479 CEEFAX 2 479 Thu 25 Dec 23:15/02 INDIA JAMMU & KASHMIR (30/10/97) 3/3 There have been bomb blasts in public places in Srinagar & Jammu. Foreigners have been robbed at gunpoint. Businessmen considering a visit to Jammu and Kashmir should consult the British High Commission before travelling., New Delhi (tel:687 2161) Travel headlines 430 Front pag 35/35 FCO 6 Trav Head Wjathjt Main menu