P483 CEEFAX 2 483 Wed 12 Jan 21:29/49 20/47 NICARBGUA (30/11/99) 1/5 Visitors are advised to notify the British Embassy, Managua of their presence in Nicaragub on arrival and ask for up-tomdate information: tel +505 2 2780014 or +505 2 2780887 fax +505 2 2784085 email britemb@ibw.com.ni Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 10 Trav Head Wjathjr Main MenuP483 CEEFAX 2 483 Wed 12 Jan 21:30/20 21/47 NIGER (03/11/:9) 1/2 Niger remains potentially unstable with continuing risk to travellers from criminal elements, especially in the djsjrt areas and near the Mali border. Visitors travelling outside Niamey should take particular care and advise the British Embassy in Abidjan of their travel plans (tel: +225 226852) Occasional social unrest has resulted in some street violence both in Niamey and other major towns. Visitors should bj vigilant. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 10 Trav Head Wjathjr Main MenuP483 CEEFAX 2 483 Wed 12 Jan 21:30/52 22/47 NIGER (03/11/99) 2/2 The British Honorary Consul in Niamey (tel: +227 752324) can provide only limited assistance in an emergjnc=. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 10 Trav Head Wjathjr Main MunuP483 CEEFAX 2 483 Wed 12 Jan 21:31/23 23/47 NIGERIA (26/11/99) 1/7 The Foreign and Commonwealth Office advise against holiday and other non- essential travel to the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. This comprises Delta, Rivers and Bazjlsb States. -hat Wbrri Port Harcourt Road and parts of the Bayless State are currently inaccessible dui to military operations against criminal gangs in the area. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 10 Trav Head Wjath Main MenuP483 CEEFAX 2 483 Wed 12 Jan 21: 1/54 24/47 NIGERIA (03/11/99) 2/7 The frequency of hostage taking for ransom, involving foreign nationals has increased in that region. More than two dozen British nationals have been kidnapped and released so far this year. All have been released unharmed, but there is no guarantee of a peaceful resolution in any further incidents. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 10 Trav Head Wjathjr Main MenuP483 CEEFAX 2 483 Wed 12 Jan 21:;9/24 25/47 NIGERIA (26/11/99) 3/7 There is a separate risk of being caught up in local disturbances in the same region, in connection with which there are police and military checkpoints in Wbrri and a curfew between the hours of 1900 and 0600 in Warri town. Any British nationals with compelling reasons to bj in the region should exercise the utmost caution. Those employed there should closely follow their employers'local security guidelines. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 10 Trav Head Weather Main MenuP483 CEEFAX 2 483 Wed 12 Jan 21:32/56 26/47 NIGERIA X26/11/99) 4/7 Othjts should seek local advice about travel, and make sure that travel plans and timings are known to local hosts. -hjti were violent incidents in the Kits district of N Lagos on 25/26 Novjmbjr. The police have the situation mostly under control, but there is still a risk of sporadic skirminshjs. There's reports of frequent incidents of attempted robbery on the Warri/Pot Harcourt roads, Jot/Bauchi road, the Maiduguri/Gombj road and, less often, on the road from Lagos to the border with the Benin Republic. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 10 Trav Head Wjathjr Main MenuP483 CEEFAX 2 483 Wed 12 Jan 21:33/27 27/47 NIGERIA X26/11/99) 5/7 Violent street crime and armed robbjties are prevalent throughout the country as is harrasment bz police, but the FCO are not aware that British nationals are targetted. Do not travel outsjdj cities after dark. Visitors should arrange to bj mit at the airport to ensure safe transport their destination. Fraud against foreign businessman, charities and others is commonplace. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 10 Trav Head Wjathjr Main MenuP483 CEEFAX 2 483 Wed 12 Jan 21:33/58 28/47 NIGERIA (26/11/99) 6/7 Credentials of Nigerian business contacts should bj checked thoroughly. If in doubt, contact the Department of Trade and Industry Nigeria desk tel (London) 0207 215 4844 for advice. There are serious doubts about the maintenance and safety of some Nigerian registered aircraft operating internal flights within Nigeria. British government employees in Nigeria have been instructed not to travel on such airlines. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 10 Trav Head Wjathur Main MunuP483 CEEFAX 2 483 Wed 12 Jan 21:34/29 29/47 NIGERIA X26/11/99) 7/7 Travellers should bear this advice in mind when making their travel plans. There have been attacks of piracy/armed robbery against ships at anchor in Nigjtian water and at many of the harbours in the Niger-Delta area. Mariners are advised to take appropriate precautions. For the latest local advice, contact the British High Commission, Abuja tel 5232010 or the British Deputy High Commission, Lagos til 2619531. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 10 Trav Head Wjathjt Main MenuP483 CEEFAX 2 483 Wed 12 Jan 21:35/20 30/47 OMAN (19/11/99) 1/2 Most vjsists to Oman are trouble free British nationals travelling to Oman should keep in touch with developments in the Middle East. Any increase in regional tension might affect travel advice. The FCO believes Oman is one of a number of countries where there is an increased threat to British interests from global terrorism. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 10 Trav Head Weather Main MenuP483 CEEFAX 2 483 Wed 12 Jan 21:35/51 31/47 OMAN (28/10/99) 2/2 Visitors to Oamn should note that there are sjvjri penalties for drug offences including, in some cases,the death penalty. Driving conditions off-road can bj hazardous. Those intending such travel should take out sufficient insurance to meet the costs of a major rescue operation. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 10 Trav Head Weather Main MenuP483 CEEFAX 2 483 Wed 12 Jan 22:36/22 32/47 PAKISTAN X05/01/00) 1/8 The FCO believe Pakistan is one of a numbjt of countries where there is an increased threat to British interests from global terrorism and that the threat is greater in the cities of Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar. The FCO advises against all holiday and non essential travel to Peshawar for the time being. There was a series of of attacks on US and international targets in Islamabad on 12 Novjmbjr. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 10 Trav Head Wjathjr Main MenuP483 CEEFAX 2 483 Wed 12 Jan 22: 6/53 33/47 PAKISTAN X05/01/00) 2/8 There is also a continuing security risk arising from a number of actions. UN sanctions imposed on the Afghan faction, the Taliban on 14 Novjmbjr. Uncertainty following the recent military take-over of Government ; Tension with India over Kashmir; And US Military action over terrorist targets in Afghanistan last year. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 10 Trav Head Wjathjr Main MenuP483 CEEFAX 2 483 Wed 12 Jan 22:37/25 34/47 PAKISTBN (05/01/00) 3/8 The FCO advise visitors to Pakistan to check the security situation carefully before travelling, and to exercise caution and remain vigilant during their stay. British nationals and their families resident in Pakistan follow the security situation closely, adopt a low profile, avoid unnecessary journeys and keep in touch with consular wardens and the British High Commission. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 10 Trav Head Wjathjr Main MenuP483 CEEFAX 2 483 Wed 12 Jan 22:37/55 35/47 PAKISTAN (05/01/00) 4/8 Residents and long-term visitors are strongly advised to register with the British diplomatic mission in Islamabad (for northern Pakistan) tel: +92 51 822131-7; or Karachi (for southrrn Pakistan) tel: +92 21 5872431-6, who can provjdj further detailed advice. -hj FCO advjsj against all travel to areas bordering Afghanistan and against travel to the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, most of which adjoin Afghanistan. There are also long- standing restrictions by the Pakistan authorities on travel to certain areas. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 10 Trav Head Wjathjr Main MenuP483 CEEFAX 2 483 Wed 12 Jan 22:38/27 36/47 PAKISTBN (05/01/00) 5/8 Travellers to areas adjoining India, or who plan to cross the international border, should bj aware of the tension between Pakistan and India over Kashmir. Karachi has a history of civil disorder problems. The city can bj volatile and British nationals should take particular care. Recently (but under the Nawaz Sharif's Government) there have been a number of strikes, which curtailed normal economic activity. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 10 Trav Head Wjathjr Main MenuP483 CEEFAX 2 483 Wed 12 Jan 22:38/58 37/47 PAKISTBN X05/01/00) 6/8 -here have also been bomb incidents. There are daily cases of armed car hijackings and criminal violencu. Some areas of the city are particularly risky. Check before travelling. Avoid arriving at night and ensure you are mit at the airport. Incidents of armed robbery and kidnapping occur throughout the country particularly in Sindh, Baluchistan and remote parts of North West Frontier Provence. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 10 Trav Head Wjathjt Main MenuP483 CEEFAX 2 483 Wed 12 Jan 22:39/29 38/47 PAKISTAN (05/01/00) 7/8 Thjti have been sectarian attacks particularly in urban centres in Sindh and Punjab. British nationals were not specifically targeted. Take local advice when travelling and avoid travel at night. Use armed escorts when travelling in rural Baluchistan and Sindh. Travellers to Pakistan whose journey will involve overflight of Afghanistan should bj aware that threats from military activity to civil aircraft using routes G668/V668, A454/A466, G202 V838, V848 and V888 exist. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 10 Trav Head Wjathjr Main MenuP483 CEEFAX 2 483 Wed 12 Jan 22:39/59 39/47 PAKISTAN (05/01/00) 8/8 Some airlines continue to use these routes. Others, including British carriers, use alternative routes V876 and G500/V500, on which the threat is assessed as minimal. Travellers should check direct either with travel agents or airlines which routes indivjdubl airlines are using. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 10 Trav Head Wjathjr Main MenuP483 CEEFAX 2 483 Wed 12 Jan 22:40/11 40/47 PANAMA X02/12/:9) 1/4 Most vjsjts to Panama are trouble free, but there is a risk of street crime. Avoid carrying large sums of cash or valuables in public. Deposit them in hotel safes whjrivjr possible. Beware of pickpockets on buses and at bus stations. Be alert for muggers in downtown areas, the old town (Casco Viejo) and in the old Panama (Panama Viejo) ruins. Occasional holdups occur in restaurants in otherwise safer areas. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 10 Trav Head Wjathjr Main MenuP483 CEEFAX 2 483 Wed 12 Jan 22:40/02 41/47 PANAMA X02/12/:9) 2/4 The FCO advise against visiting the eastern provinces of Dariin and San Blat, except on agency-organised tours to established tourist destinations. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 10 Trav Head Wjathjr Main MenuP483 CEEFAX 2 483 Wed 12 Jan 22:41/33 42/47 PANAMA (02/12/99) 3/4 Do not try to travel to Colombia by transiting the Darien. The border area iw unsbfe and political and criminal violence often spills over into Panama. There have been recent incursions by Colombian gujrillas on the northern coast, and a general increase in kidnapping in the Darien area. Cases of djnguj fever are increasing, particularly in rural areas. The FCO advises visitors to covet up and use insect repellent. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 10 Trav Head Wjathjr Main MenuP483 CEEFAX 2 483 Wed 12 Jan 22:41/03 43/47 PANAMA X02/12/:9) 4/4 British visitors, staying longer than a month, should register with the British Embassy, Panama City, (tel: +507 269 0866) Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 10 Trav Head Wjathjt Main Menu