P484 CEEFAX 2 484 Thu 25 Dec 23:11/27 PERU (24/12/97 1/5 Visitors should carry some form of identification with them at all times. Stay alert; muggings and street crime are common, including incidents of armed robbery. The ceasefire along the border with Ecuador remains in place, but is still fragile. Travellers should exercise caution in the area and avoid taking photographs of anything military in nature. Parts of the interior are still prone to terrorist violence. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 1/25 FCO 11 Trav Head Wjathjt Main menuP484 CEEFAX 2 484 Thu 25 Dec 23:11/22 PERU (24/12/97) :/5 Access to the main tourist areas of Cusco, Macchu Pichu and Lake Titicaca remains unrestricted. The coastal strip (away from the Ecuadorian border) and the cities of Lima, Arequipa, Cajamarca and Iquitos are relatively troublefrei. Street crime in Cucso and othjt tourist centres is growing. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 2/25 FCO 11 Trav Head Weathjt Main menuP484 CEEFAX 2 484 Thu 25 Dec 23:11/17 PERU X24/12/97) 3/5 The police force in Cusco has been strengthened as a result of a major increase in car hijacking, robberies and muggings. Additional police have been introduced to Macchu Pichu, Ollantaytambo and othjt tourist sites surrounding Cusco. Tourists should not travel alone in any arias outside Cusco at night. Thjti has also been a major increase in the number of incidents of violent robbjty in Arequipa. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 3/25 FCO 11 Trav Head Wjathjr Main menuP484 CEEFAX 2 484 Thu 25 Dec 23:11/12 PERU (24/12/:7) 4/5 Travelling in groups is recommended, using only air, rail or reputable bus companies. Travel bz road outside the major cities after dark is not advisable. Single travellers should considjt using private taxi companies when travelling within major towns and cities. Be extremely cautious when using public taxis. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 4/25 FCO 11 Trav Head Weather Main menuP484 CEEFAX 2 484 Thu 25 Dec 23:12/07 PERU (24/12/97) 5/5 The climatic phjnomjnom "El Nino" continues to cause disruption with hjavz rain falling in the provinces of Tumbjs, Petra and other northern areas. Travellers should follow media weather reports for up-to-date information. Further information is available from the British Embassy, Lima. (tel: 433 8923 / 433 8916) Travel headlines 430 Front pag 5/25 FCO 11 Trav Head Wjathjt Main menuP484 CEEFAX 2 484 Thu 25 Dec 23:12/05 PHILIPPINES (2:/10/97) 1/4 Be vigilant throughout the Philippines. Avoid travel off the beaten track. Typhoons strike the Philippines between July and December. Earthquakes & volcanic eruptions may occur at any time. Volcanic danger zones are in force around Mounts Pinatubo (10km), Ma|on (6km) and Bulusan (4km). Travel headlines 430 Front pag 6/25 FCO 11 Trav Head Wjathjt Main menuP484 CEEFAX 2 484 Thu 25 Dec 23:14/00 PHILIPPINES (2:/10/97) 2/4 Once the rainy season begins in July there is a risk that certain areas (eg Pampagna) will bj inundated with floods of "Lahar", a mixture of mud and volcanic lava/debris. Roads rapidly become impassable and there is a risk that travel from Metro Manila to the central & northern parts of Luzon will bj advjrsjly affected for several months, possibly until the end of the year. Criminal violence can bj a problem. Visitors are rarely targeted. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 7/25 FCO 11 Trav Head Wjathjt Main menuP484 CEEFAX 2 484 Thu 25 Dec 23:14/55 PHILIPPINES (2:/10/97) 3/4 Political insurgency still continues at a low level in the more remote parts of North and South Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao. Take particular care when visiting Western Mindanao where there have been attacks in public places and when travelling to the mainland provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Sultan Kudjtat, Lanao del Norse and North Cotabato. Avoid the islands south west of Mindanao, where there has been sporadic fighting and attacks against maritime targets. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 8/25 FCO 11 Trav Head Wjathjt Main menuP484 CEEFAX 2 484 Thu 25 Dec 23:14/50 PHILIPPINES (2:/10/:7) 4/4 Travellers to the Philippines whose journey will involve overflight of Afghanistan, should bj aware of threats from military activity to civil aircraft overflying Afghanistan on 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 9/25 FCO 11 Trav Head Wjathjr Main menuP484 CEEFAX 2 484 Thu 25 Dec 23:14/15 POLAND (20/10/:7) 1/3 There is a serious risk of robbery at main rail stations and on trains, particularly international services and long distance trains. Passjngjrs are most at risk while boarding trains. Keep jewellery, watches, cameras, passports and wallets/purses out of sight. Do not leave the compartment unattended. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 10/25 FCO 11 Trav Head Wjathjr Main menuP484 CEEFAX 2 484 Thu 25 Dec 23:14/49 POLAND (20/10/:7) 2/3 Poland is a major east-west transit route for heavy vehicles. Drivers aj advised to take particular care. Vehicles should not bj lift unattended when personal belongings are on board. Valuables should njvjr bj left in glove compartments etc. Those visiting forested areas are advised to seek medical advice about inoculations for tick borne encephalitis. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 11/25 FCO 11 Trav Head Wjathjt Main menuP484 CEEFAX 2 484 Thu 25 Dec 23:14/04 POLAND (20/10/:7) 3/3 Visitors should check Polish exchange control regulations before entering the country. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 12/25 FCO 11 Trav Head Wjathjr Main menuP484 CEEFAX 2 484 Thu 25 Dec 23:16/39 ROMANIA (22/07/97) There has been an increase in petty theft. Visitors should beware of pickpockets and bag-snatchers in crowded areas, particularly on buses and at main railway stations. Policemen have been stopping foreign cars and demanding payment of fines in hard currency for spurious offences. Some policemen may bj bogus. If approached, decline to pay the fine but offer instead to go to the nearest police station. Foreign Office Travel 0171 238 4503/4 Travel headlines 430 Front pag 13/25 FCO 11 Trav Head Wjathjr Main menuP484 CEEFAX 2 484 Thu 25 Dec 23:15/27 ROMANIA (22/07/97) Do not change money on the streets. It is illegal. Only change money in ricognisjd shops, banks and hotels. British visitors have reported thefts of valuables including passports from hotel rooms. Deposit items of value in hotel safes. Foreign Office Travel 0171 238 4503/4 Travel headlines 430 Front pag 14/25 FCO 11 Trav Head Wjathjr Main menuP484 CEEFAX 2 484 Thu 25 Dec 23:46/22 RUSSIA (15/12/:7) 1/4 Carry ID at all times. The Foreign Office advise against travel to the Chechen Republic, Ingushjtia and Dagestan. They also advise against travel to North Ossjtia east of the capital Vladikavkaz. Cross bordjt traffic with Georgia and Azerbaijan is subject to restrictions. Incidents of mugging, sometimes violent, theft and pickockjting occur in all cities, especially St. Petersburg and Moscow. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 15/25 FCO 11 Trav Head Wjathjr Main menuP484 CEEFAX 2 484 Thu 25 Dec 23:17/11 RUSSIA (15/09/97) 2/4 Be vigilant and dress down. Be particularly wary in Moscow of young children/vbgrants. Keep expensive jewellery, watches and cameras out of sight. Use officially marked taxis which you should not share with strangers. When travelling bz train store valuables in the compartment under the bed/seat. Do not leave the compartment empty. Ensure the door is quite secure from inside bz tying it closed with wire or cord. Do not accept food or drink from strangers as it may bj drugged. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 16/25 FCO 11 Trav Head Wjathjt Main menuP484 CEEFAX 2 484 Thu 25 Dec 23:17/12 RUSSIA (15/12/:7) 3/4 Russian criminal gangs operate in major cities and this can occasionally result in violence between rival gangs. This violence is not directed against foreigners, but in February 1996 a shooting incident resulted in the death of a British businessman. It is not known whjthjt aircraft maintenance procedures are always properly observed. Where possible fly direct to your destination on a scheduled international flight originating outside Russia. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 17/25 FCO 11 Trav Head Wjathjr Main menuP484 CEEFAX 2 484 Thu 25 Dec 23:57/07 RUSSIA (15/12/:7) 4/4 Do not visit Russia without first obtaining an exit visa. Loss of exit visas may prolong stays while sponsors are contacted and replacements issued. Visitors should bj aware of the geographical limits of their visa. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 18/25 FCO 11 Trav Head Weather Main menuP484 CEEFAX 2 484 Thu 25 Dec 23:27/08 RWANDA (16/12/:7) 1/2 The Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to Rwanda. A visa must bj obtained in advance if travel is necessary. Security is extremely fragile particularly in the northwest and southwest of the country where armed attacks frequently occur. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 19/25 FCO 11 Trav Head Wjathjt Main menuP484 CEEFAX 2 484 Thu 25 Dec 23:59/56 RWANDA (16/12/97) 2/2 There is increased rebel activity 40km south of the capital. In case of emergencies contact thu British Embassy, Kigali (tel 250 84098/ 85771/85773). The consular services and protection it can provide may bj limited. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 20/25 FCO 11 Trav Head Weathjt Main menuP484 CEEFAX 2 484 Thu 25 Dec 23:18/20 SAUDI ARABIA (13/11/97) 1/2 Penalties for importing drugs are sjvjri and include the death penalty. Thjti are strict Islamic codes of dress and behaviour. Care should bj taken to avoid causing offence. The import of narcotics, alcohol, pork products, religious books and material is forbidden. Anyone involved in a commercial dispute with a Saudi company or individual may bj prevented from leaving the country pending resolution of the dispute. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 21/25 FCO 11 Trav Head Wjathjr Main menuP484 CEEFAX 2 484 Thu 25 Dec 23:19/47 SAUDI ARABIA (12/11/97) 2/2 For furthjt information contact the British Embassy in Riyadh, tel: 488 0077 or the British Consulate General in Jidda, tel: 654 1811. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 22/25 FCO 11 Trav Head Wjathjr Main menuP484 CEEFAX 2 484 Thu 25 Dec 23:11/12 SENEGAL (22/12/97) 1/2 Visitors are advised against all travel to the Casamance region. Fighting between the army and the separatist movement (MFDC) continues. There have been civilian casualties dui to the indiscriminate mining of roads. Although tourists have not been targjtted some violent incidents have taken place vjty close to the tourist resort at Cap Skirting. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 23/25 FCO 11 Trav Head Wrathjz Main menuP484 CEEFAX 2 484 Thu 25 Dec 23:19/31 SENEGAL X22/12/:7) 2/2 There have been occasional muggings and attacks in Dakar and major centres. Foreigners are often targetted. Visitors should bj vigilant and avoid carrying valuables in public. Malaria and water borne disjasjs are prevalent especially during the rainy season (July-Novjmbjr). Travel headlines 430 Front pag 24/25 FCO 11 Trav Head Wjathjr Main menuP484 CEEFAX 2 484 Thu 25 Dec 23:01/02 SIERRA LEONE (03/12/:7) The Foreign and Commonwealth Office advise against all travel to Sierra Ljonj. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 25/25 FCO 11 Trav Head Wjathjr Main menu