Wayzata World Factbook 1994/World Factbook - 1994 Edition - Wayzata Technology (1994).iso/pc/text/txtfiles/zaire.tvl

Text File | 1994-04-11 | 9KB | 153 lines

#CARD:Zaire:Travel\Consular Information
Zaire - Consular Information Sheet
February 16, 1994

Country Description:  Zaire is the largest sub-Saharan African country.  It
has substantial human and natural resources, but for the past several years,
the country has suffered a profound political and economic crisis which has
resulted in the dramatic deterioration of the physical infrastructure of the
country; insecurity and an increase in crime in urban areas (including
occasional episodes of looting and murder in Kinshasa's streets); occasional
official hostility to U.S. citizens and nationals of European countries;
periodic shortages of basic needs such as gasoline; chronic shortages of
medicine and supplies for some basic medical care; hyperinflation;
corruption; and in some urban areas, malnutrition of the local population to
the point of starvation.  Tourism facilities are minimal.

Entry Requirements:  A passport, visa and vaccination certificate showing
valid yellow fever and cholera immunizations are required for entry into
Zaire.  Intending travelers are advised that the government of Zaire
announced in 1993 that visas would not be issued to nationals of countries
practicing "discriminatory" visa policies toward Zairians.  Although the
government did not name the countries to which this edict would be applied,
it is presumed that Zairian visas will become more difficult for U.S.
citizens to obtain.  In addition, some travelers are currently obliged to
transit the Congo to reach Kinshasa which means a Congo visa may also be
necessary.  U.S. citizens may not be able to obtain a visa at Zairian
embassies in neighboring countries; it is suggested that travelers apply at
the Zairian Embassy in Washington well in advance of any planned trip.  Visa
fees are apt to be high.  For entry information, the traveler may contact
the Embassy of the Republic of Zaire, 1800 New Hampshire Avenue, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20009.  The telephone number is [phone] or 234-7691.
 Travelers may also contact Zaire's Permanent Mission to the U.N. at 747
Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017, telephone [phone].

Areas of Instability:  Although there are several flights each week between
Kinshasa and European cities, schedules are often disrupted by security
problems in Kinshasa or neighboring Brazzaville.  There have been instances
of shooting into Kinshasa from Brazzaville and of shell fragments falling on
Kinshasa from fighting in Brazzaville.  During these occasions, the U.S.
Embassy in Kinshasa has alerted U.S. citizens to the precautions to be
observed.

In September 1991 and January 1993, there were major episodes of military
mutiny in Kinshasa, resulting in many deaths and major property theft,
damage and destruction.  Similar events occurred in late November 1993 in
the provincial capital of Kananga.  The underlying cause of these mutinies--
the inability of the government to pay the military sufficiently to enable
them to support themselves and their families--has not been resolved.  Civil
disturbances, including looting and the possibility of physical harm, can
occur without warning in all urban areas of Zaire.

Dependents of U.S. Embassy personnel were withdrawn from the country in
September 1991 and restrictions on families are still in effect.  Zairian
security personnel are increasingly suspicious of foreigners and sometimes
stop them on the street for proof of immigration status.  Some foreigners,
especially journalists, have been arrested for contacting members of the
Zairian opposition parties.

Border control personnel scrutinize passports, visas, and vaccination
certificates for any possible irregularity and sometimes seek bribes to
perform their official functions.  Travelers are requested to be cautious
and polite if confronted with these situations and to contact the U.S.
Embassy if taken into custody.

Medical Facilities:  Medical facilities are extremely limited.  Medicine is
in short supply.  Doctors and hospitals expect immediate cash payment in
full for health services.  Not all U.S. medical insurance is valid outside
the United States.  Travelers have found supplemental medical insurance with
specific overseas coverage to be of use.  Specific information on health
matters may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control's international
travelers hotline, telephone [phone].

Information on Crime:  The continued deterioration of Zaire's economy has
led to an increase in armed street crime, especially in Kinshasa, where
violent crime is commonplace.  Vehicle thefts, including hijackings at
gunpoint, are on the increase.  Burglaries and other crimes also occur.  The
loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to
local police and to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.  The pamphlets,
"A Safe Trip Abroad" and "Tips for Travelers to Sub-Saharan Africa," provide
useful information on protecting personal security while traveling abroad
and on travel in the region in general.  Both are available from the
Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington,
D.C. 20402.

In-Country Travel:  Most intercity roads are difficult or impassable in the
rainy season.  When driving in cities, individuals often keep windows rolled
up and doors locked.  At roadblocks or checkpoints, documents are displayed
through closed windows.  A government "mining permit" may be required to
travel to large areas of the country, regardless of the visitor's purpose in
going there.  This permit must be obtained before entering the "mining zone."

Border Crossings:  (Zaire/Congo) - A special exit permit from Zaire's
immigration department and a visa from an embassy of the Congo are required
to cross the Congo River from Kinshasa to Brazzaville.

(Zaire/Central African Republic) - There are three ferry crossing points for
overland traffic between Zaire and The Central African Republic.  They are
located at Bangui, Mobaye and Bangassou.  Beginning in the summer of 1993,
the crossing points at Bangui and Mobaye have been closed to overland
tourist traffic on the direct order of president Mobutu of Zaire for
security reasons.  The ferry crossing point at Bangassou is not affected and
remains open.  The ferry serving that crossing point has, however, a history
of breaking and can be down for weeks at a time, waiting for someone to pay
for repairs.  In the event it is not functioning, overland groups will be
stranded on either side of the border, unable to use the other working, but
restricted, ferry crossing points.  Local citizens are not affected by these
orders, but may also be temporarily stranded at times.

Currency Regulations:  The Foreign Exchange Office at N'djili Airport in
Kinshasa closed in September 1991.  While U.S. dollars and travelers checks
can, in theory, be exchanged for local currency (zaires) at banks in
Kinshasa, banks often do not have sufficient Zaire cash on hand to make
transactions.  Visitors may be given an unfavorable rate of exchange, making
any daily necessities extremely expensive.  Participating in the unofficial,
"parallel" money exchanges that flourish in some areas is illegal.  Some
foreigners have been picked up for infractions of this type and had their
money confiscated.  Credit cards are accepted at a few major hotels and
restaurants.  It is illegal to take Zairian currency out of the country.

Photography Restrictions:  Photography of public buildings and/or military
installations is forbidden, including photography of the banks of the Congo
River.  Offenders can expect to be arrested, held for a minimum of several
hours, and fined.

Drug Penalties:  U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the country in
which they are traveling.  Penalties for possession, use and trafficking in
illegal drugs are strictly enforced.  Convicted offenders can expect jail
sentences and fines.

Registration:  U.S. citizens are asked to register at the U.S. Embassy in
Kinshasa and obtain updated information on travel and security within Zaire.

Embassy Location:  The U.S. Embassy is at 310 Avenue des Aviateurs in the
capital city of Kinshasa.  The mailing address is American Embassy, Unit
31550, APO AE 09828, and the telephone number is (243-12) 21532 or 21628.
The Consular section of the U.S. Embassy is located at Avenue d'Isiro, Mobil
Building; the telephone number is (243-12) 21532, extension 2376.  The U.S.
Embassy has been operating with a severely reduced staff since September
1991.  All American staff and their dependents were evacuated from the
Consulate General in Lubumbashi in 1991, and have not been permitted to
return.  The caretaker staff at the Consulate in Lubumbashi cannot provide
consular assistance.

No. 94-016

This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated December 10, 1993, to
provide information concerning the effects of Brazzaville's security
situation on Kinshasa.

#ENDCARD