Wayzata World Factbook 1995/World Factbook - 1995 Edition - Wayzata Technology (1995).iso/mac/text/Build/orig cis/TA182.TXT

Text File | 1993-08-31 | 4KB | 73 lines

Tunisia - Consular Information Sheet
August 31, 1993

Country Description:  Tunisia is a presidential republic with a developing
economy.  Tourist facilities and means of transportation are widely
available, but vary in quality depending on price and location.

Entry Requirements:  A passport is required.  A visa is not required for a
stay of up to four months.  For further information concerning entry
requirements for Tunisia, travelers may contact the Embassy of Tunisia at
1515 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. [phone], or the
Tunisian Consulate General in New York, telephone [phone], or in San
Francisco, telephone [phone].

Medical Facilities:  Medical care in Tunisia is available, but limited;
specialized care or treatment may not be available.  Doctors and hospitals
expect immediate cash payment for health care services.  U.S. medical
insurance is not always valid outside the United States. Supplemental
medical insurance with specific overseas coverage, including medical
evacuation, has proved useful.  Specific health questions can be addressed
to the Centers for Disease Control's international travelers hotline,
telephone [phone].

Crime Information:  Tunisia has a moderate crime rate in urban areas.
Criminals have targeted tourists for thefts, pickpocketings, and scams,
though crimes are usually non-confrontational in nature.  The loss or theft
of a U.S. passport abroad should be reported immediately to local police and
the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.  Useful information on safeguarding
valuables, protecting personal security, and other matters while traveling
abroad is provided in the Department of State pamphlets, "A Safe Trip
Abroad" and "Tips for Travelers to the Middle East and North Africa."  They
are available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing
Office, Washington, D.C. 20402.

Currency Regulations:  Travelers checks and credit cards are accepted at
some establishments in Tunisia, mainly in urban or tourist areas.  The
Tunisian dinar is not yet a fully convertible currency.  Tunisian law
prohibits the export or import of Tunisian banknotes or coins.  Tourists are
expected to make foreign exchange transactions at authorized banks or
dealers and to retain receipts for dinars obtained.  Under new foreign
currency exchange regulations, a tourist can reconvert to foreign currency
30 percent of what has been exchanged into dinars, up to a maximum of $100.
Declaring currency upon entering Tunisia and obtaining a receipt for dinars
purchased thereafter will facilitate reconverting dinars to U.S. dollars.

Drug Penalties:  U.S. citizens are subject to the laws and legal practices
of the country in which they travel.  Penalties for possession, use, or
trafficking in illegal drugs are severe in Tunisia, and convicted offenders
can expect jail sentences and fines.

Security Concerns:  Tunisia has open borders with Libya and Algeria.
(Please refer to Consular Information Sheets for those countries.)  The
presence of the headquarters of the Palestinian Liberation Organization in
Tunis makes the possibility of terrorism a concern.  However, there have
been no instances where U.S. citizens or facilities in Tunisia have been
subject to terrorist attacks.  The government of Tunisia takes many security
measures for the benefit of the many tourists who visit Tunisia.

Registration:  U.S. citizens who register at the Consular Section of the
U.S. Embassy may be enrolled in the Embassy's emergency alert network, and
can obtain updated information on travel and security within Tunisia.

Embassy Location:  The U.S. Embassy in Tunisia is located at 144 Avenue de
la Liberte, 1002 Tunis-Belvedere, in the capital city of Tunis, telephone
(216-1) 782-566, fax [phone].

No. 93-226

This replaces the Consular Information Sheet for Tunisia dated January 8,
1993 to update the section on security, to include new Tunisian currency
regulations, and to add information on reporting the loss or theft of a U.S.
passport abroad.