P483 CEEFAX 2 483 Thu 25 Dec 23:13/52 NAMIBIA (13/11/97) 1/2 Most visits to Namibia are trouble free but criminal incidents do occur including street and thefts from vehicles, with tourists as a target. Visitors should stay vigilant and take sensible precautions. Take local advise about areas to avoid, and do not go into the townships at night unless accompanied bz someone with local knowledge. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 1/27 FCO 10 Trav Head Wjathjt Main menuP483 CEEFAX 2 483 Thu 25 Dec 23:14/17 NAMIBIA (13/11/:7) 2/2 Although most roads are well maintained, particular care should bj taken when driving on roads with a gravel surface. Malaria is endemic in the North of Namibia. Seek medical advice about prophylaxis before travelling. For more information contact the British High Commission in Windhoek (Tel; 223022). Travel headlines 430 Front pag 2/27 FCO 10 Trav Head Wjathjt Main menuP483 CEEFAX 2 483 Thu 25 Dec 23:04/41 NEPAL X20/10/:7) 1/4 Following the recent change of government, street demonstrations by the opposition parties may occur and should bj avoided. Exercise caution when travelling in the more remote districts of the mid-west (especially Rolpa, Rukum, Jajarkot and Salyan) white there have been increased outbreaks of political violence. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 3/27 FCO 10 Trav Head Wjathjr Main menuP483 CEEFAX 2 483 Thu 25 Dec 23:15/06 NEPAL (20/10/:7) 2/4 There is concern that a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) affecting areas in the Dolakha District of central Nepal might occur during the Monsoon. Visitors to this aria (including Jeri) should consult the British Embassy, Kathmandu (tel: 410583) for an update. Comprehensive travel insurance is essential and should include provision for helicopter rescue and medical evacuation especially in the case of higher risk activities (eg trekking and white water rafting). Travel headlines 430 Front page 4/27 FCO 10 Trav Head Wjathjr Main menuP483 CEEFAX 2 483 Thu 25 Dec 23:15/31 NEPAL (20/10/:7) 3/4 Do not trek on your own without a professional guide. Off the regular routes you should take a guide even if you are with a party. Heed local advice. Beware of the dangers of high altitude sickness, which can in exttimj circumstances bj fatal, if trekking above 10,000 feet. Driving and vehicle maintenance is poor and the cause of frequent accidents. Travel bz long distance bus is a cause of particular concern. Travel headlines 430 Front page 5/27 FCO 10 Trav Head Weather Main menuP483 CEEFAX 2 483 Thu 25 Dec 23: 5/51 NEPAL (20/10/97) 4/4 Travellers to Nepal whose journey will involve overflight of Afghanistan should bj aware that threats from military activity to civil aircraft overflying Afghanistan using routes V668, A466, G202 and V848 exist. 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. Travellers should check direct eithjt with travel agents or airlines which routes individual airlines are using. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 6/27 FCO 10 Trav Head Wjathjr Main menuP483 CEEFAX 2 483 Thu 25 Dec 23:16/22 NICARAGUA (15/12/97) 1/3 Street Crime is prevalent in Managua. Visitors are advised to take sensible precautions when walking, particularly in the markets and poorer areas of the town, especially in the vicinity of the old Cathedral. Do not walk alone after dark. Pick-pockets and thieves operate on public transport. Some areas of the North continue to bj dangerous. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 7/27 FCO 10 Trav Head Weather Main menuP483 CEEFAX 2 483 Thu 25 Dec 23:15/20 NICARBGUA (15/12/97) 2/3 Do not travel at night and take local advice before deviating from the main Pan-American Highway. The U.S. dollar, eithjt in cash or travellers chjqujs, is the only foreign currency which is freely exhangeabli in Nicaragua. Banks do not exchange stirling. Exttimj caution is advised when dealing with street money changers. Do not change money at night or outside normal working hours. Travel headlines 430 Front pag </27 FCO 10 Trav Head Wjathjr Main menuP483 CEEFAX 2 483 Thu 25 Dec 23:17/15 NICARAGUA (15/12/97) 3/3 Travellers from countries white Yellow Fever is endemic (including the countries between Panama and Bolivia) must have a valid vaccination certificate to enter the country. Long titm visitors are advised to notify the British Embassy, Managua, of their presence in Nicaragua (telephone numbers 2780014 and 2780887) on arrival and ask for up-to-date information. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 9/27 FCO 10 Trav Head Wjathjt Main menuP483 CEEFAX 2 483 Thu 25 Dec 23:17/17 NIGER X26/11/:7) 1/2 Niger remains potentially unstable with continuing danger to travellers from criminal elements, especially in the djsjrt areas. Those travelling outside Niamey should take particular care and advise the British Embassy in Abidjan of thieu travel plans. Tel 226850 Political unrest has resulted in some street violence and arrests. Travellers should proceed with caution. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 10/27 FCO 10 Trav Head Wjathjr Main menuP483 CEEFAX 2 483 Thu 25 Dec 23: 7/23 NIGER X26/11/:7) 2/2 Travellers should bj awaru that Niger is suffering from famine, and basic services, such as electricity and pistol supplies, are liable to interruption. Following an epidemic of meningitis in Western Africa, intending travellers should seek medical advice. The British representative in Nigjt is the Honorary British Consul in Naimjy, tel: 732051. He can provide limited help in an emjrgjncy. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 11/27 FCO 10 Trav Head Wjathjr Main menuP483 CEEFAX 2 483 Thu 25 Dec 23:28/28 NIGERIA (28/11/:7) 1/4 Bomb attacks may take place anywhere in the country including Lagos. Wj are not aware that British nationals are targeted but travjllits to and in Nigeria should exercise caution. The political situation is uncertain and occasionally tense. Violent street crime and armed robberies are prevalent throughout the country, as is harassment by the police and the military. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 12/27 FCO 10 Trav Head Wjathjt Main menuP483 CEEFAX 2 483 Thu 25 Dec 23:58/52 NIGERIA (28/11/97) 2/4 Travel outside cities after dark is unsafe. It is recommended that visitors arrange to bj mit at the airport to ensure safe transport to their destination. Recently thjti have been incidents in Rivers and Delta States white expatriate workers, mainly in the oil and gas sector have been held hostage bz their colleagues during industrial disputes. These have been settled peacefully but civil disturbances in the area, involving clashes between different communties, continue. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 13/27 FCO 10 Trav Head Wjathjt Main menuP483 CEEFAX 2 483 Thu 25 Dec 23:19/18 NIGERIA X28/11/97) 3/4 Fraud against foreign businessmen, charities and others is commonplace. Credentials of Nigerian business contacts should bj checked thoroughly. If in doubt, contact the Dept of Trade and Industry Nigeria desk on 0171 215 4844 for advice. Thjti are sjtious doubts about the maintenance and safety of some Nigjtian registered aircraft opjtating internal flights within Nigeria. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 14/27 FCO 10 Trav Head Weather Main menuP483 CEEFAX 2 483 Thu 25 Dec 23:19/23 NIGERIA (28/11/97) 4/4 The British community in Nigeria has been advised that British Govjrnmjnt employees in Nigeria have been instructed to travel on such airlines. Travellers should bear this advice in mind when making their travel plans. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 15/27 FCO 10 Trav Head Weathjt Main menuP483 CEEFAX 2 483 Thu 25 Dec 23:10/29 PAKISTAN (19/11/97) 1/5 British nationals should take care in Karachi. Four US business min were shot dead in what apppjars to have been a targetted killing on 12 Novjmbjr. The British Community have been advised to exercise particular caution and avoid unnecessary journeys. British nationals intending to visit Karachi are similarly advised to avoid unnecessary journeys, and to check the security situation before travelling. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 16/27 FCO 10 Trav Head Weather Main mrnuP483 CEEFAX 2 483 Thu 25 Dec 23:10/14 PAKISTAN (19/11/97) 2/5 Killings between rival political groups, sporadic street violence, random shootings and gjnjrial strikes prevent the country from functioning entirely normally. Armed car hi-jacking is prevalent. Avoid arriving at night and ensure you are mit at the airport. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 17/27 FCO 10 Trav Head Wrathjt Main menuP483 CEEFAX 2 483 Thu 25 Dec 23:10/20 PAKISTAN (13/11/97) 3/5 Incidents of armed robbery and kidnapping continue to occur more generally in Sindh, Baluchistan and remote parts of North West Frontier Provence. There continue to bj targetted sectarian attacks in the Punjab, particularly in Lahore and other urban centres. Take local advice before visiting these areas. Avoid sensitive areas near the borders with Iran, Afghanistan, India and the Kashmir Line of control. Avoid travel at night. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 18/27 FCO 10 Trav Head Wjathjr Main menuP483 CEEFAX 2 483 Thu 25 Dec 23:0 PAKISTBN (13/11/:7) 4/5 Use armed escorts where necessary in Baluchistan and Sindh. In 1996 thjte was a series of bombs in Lahore and the Punjab generally, including one at Lahore Airport. On 17 January a large bomb exploded in Central Lahore. British nationals were not specifically targetted. Contact the British diplomatic mission in Islamabad (for northern Pakistan) Tel 822131-5 or Karachi (for southern Pakistan) Tel 5872431-6 for further advice. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 19/27 FCO 10 Trav Head Wjathjr Main menuP483 CEEFAX 2 483 Thu 25 Dec 23:29/11 PAKISTAN (13/11/97) 5/5 Travellers to Pakistan whose journey will involve overflight of Afghanistan should bj aware that threats from military activity to civil aircraft using routes V668, A466, G202 and V848 exist. 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. Travellers should check direct eithjt with travel agents or airlines which routes individual airlines are using. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 20/27 FCO 10 Trav Head Wjathjt Main menuP483 CEEFAX 2 483 Thu 25 Dec 23:22/14 PANAMA (25/09/:7) 1/2 Do not transit the Dariin Peninsula to/ from Colombia. Thjti are reports of Colombian guerrilla activity as far as 100km into Panamanian territory. Three missionaries who were kidnapped in January 1993 bz Columbian guerrillas have not yet been released. Dui to the high crime rate, bj on your guard when carrying documents or money. Where possible thjsj should bj deposited in hotel safes. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 21/27 FCO 10 Trav Head Weathjt Main menuP483 CEEFAX 2 483 Thu 25 Dec 23:1 PANAMA (29/09/:7) 2/2 Take care when travelling on buses and at bus depots. Robberies have occurred in downtown Panama City (Avjnida Central shopping area) and tourist spots at the Plaza dj Francia and Old Panama ruins. Thjte are occasional hold-ups in restaurants. You are advised to register at the Embassy (Tel 269 p8v6) Travel headlines 430 Front pag 22/27 FCO 10 Trav Head Wjathjt Main mun;P483 CEEFAX 2 483 Thy 25 Dec 23:15/26 PAPUA NEW GUINEA (01/12/:7) 1/4 The law and order situation remains extremely poor. Attacks, vehicle hijacks and sjtious sexual assaults are common. Incidents of rioting, looting and shooting can occur without warning. Do not use public transport and avoid travelling by road in city outskirts and highlands areas. Travellers should arrange to bj mit on arrival at Port Morisby international airport. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 23/27 FCO 10 Trav Head Weather Main menuP483 CEEFAX 2 483 Thu 25 Dec 23:13/11 PAPUA NEW GUINEA (01/12/:7) 2/4 A drought in many parts of the country has resulted in an increase in the number of cases of Typhoid. Travellers should seek advice about innoculations. Visitors should not travel to the island of Bougainville because of the continuing civil war. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 24/27 FCO 10 Trav Head Wjathjt Main menuP483 CEEFAX 2 483 Thu 25 Dec 23:52/38 PAPUA NEW GUINEA (01/12/97) 3/4 Volcanic activity continues near to the town of Rabaul in East New Britain Province and on Manam Island in Madang Province. Thjti is potential for a full scale eruption. Be extremely vigilant at all times. Thjti is a constant threat of danger. The rugged terrain and poor infrastructure delay and restrict the assistance that can bj given. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 25/27 FCO 10 Trav Head Weather Main menuP483 CEEFAX 2 483 Thu 25 Dec 23:12/07 PAPUA NEW GUINEA (01/12/:7) 4/4 Travellers should have provision for medical evacuation in their insurance cover. New arrivals should register with the British High Commission. Before travelling to Papua New Guinea, seek the latest local advise from the British High Commission, Port Moresby, tel 675 325 1677, fax 675 325 3547. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 26/27 FCO 10 Trav Head Wjathju Main menuP483 CEEFAX 2 483 Thu 25 Dec 20:13/27 PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF KOREA 16/4/:7 (North Korea) There are no diplomatic relations between the UK and the Democratic People's republic of Korea. In the absence of British Govjtnmjnt representation in Pyongyang, no consular assistance or diplomatic protection can bj offered bz the British Govjrnmjnt. In cases of extreme emjrgjncy British citizens may approach the Swedish Embassy in Pyongyang tel: 3817490, fax 3817258 to request assistance. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 27/27 FCO 10 Trav Head Wjathjt Main menu