Wayzata World Factbook 1995/World Factbook - 1995 Edition - Wayzata Technology (1995).iso/mac/text/Build/tvlmactxt/IRAQ.TVL

Text File | 1994-12-07 | 9KB | 179 lines

Iraq - Travel Warning
September 15, 1994

The Department of State warns all U.S. citizens against traveling to Iraq.
Conditions within the country remain unsettled and dangerous.  The United
States does not maintain diplomatic relations with Iraq and cannot provide
normal consular protective services to U.S. citizens.  U.S. passports are
not valid for travel to, in or through Iraq, unless they are specially
endorsed by the U.S. Government.  There is a U.S. trade embargo which
severely restricts financial and economic activities with Iraq, including
travel-related transactions.

Further details can be found in the Department of State Consular Information
Sheet on Iraq.

No. 94-038

This extends the Department of State Warning on Iraq dated August 31, 1993.

Iraq - Consular Information Sheet
September 15, 1994

Warning:  The Department of State warns all U.S. citizens against traveling
to Iraq.  Conditions within the country remain unsettled and dangerous.  The
United States does not maintain diplomatic relations with Iraq and cannot
provide normal consular protective services to U.S. citizens.  U.S.
passports are not valid for travel to, in or through Iraq, unless they are
specially endorsed by the U.S. Government.  There is a U.S. trade embargo
which severely restricts financial and economic activities with Iraq,
including travel-related transactions.

Country Description:  The Republic of Iraq is governed by the repressive
Revolutionary Command Council.  Iraq has a developing economy that was
seriously damaged in the 1991 Gulf War.  U.N trade sanctions have also
affected the economy.  Islamic ideals and beliefs provide the conservative
foundation of the country's customs, laws and practices.  Tourist facilities
are not widely available.  The work week in Iraq is Sunday through Thursday.

Entry Requirements:  Passports and visas are required.  On February 8, 1991,
U.S. passports ceased to be valid for travel to, in or through Iraq and may
not be used for that purpose unless a special validation has been obtained.
Without the requisite validation, use of a U.S. passport for travel to, in
or through Iraq may constitute a violation of 18 U.S.C. 1544, and may be
punishable by a fine and/or imprisonment.  An exemption to the above
restriction is granted to Americans residing in Iraq as of February 8, 1991
who continue to reside there and to American professional reporters or
journalists on assignment there.

In addition, the Department of the Treasury prohibits all travel-related
transactions by U.S. persons intending to visit Iraq, unless specifically
licensed by the Office of Foreign Assets Control.  The only exceptions to
this licensing requirement are for journalistic activity or for U.S.
government or United Nations business.

The categories of individuals eligible for consideration for a special
passport validation are set forth in 22 C.F.R. 51.74.  Passport validation
requests for Iraq should be forwarded in writing to the following address:

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Passport Services
U.S. Department of State
1111 19th Street, N.W., Suite 260
Washington, D.C.  20522-1705
Attn:  Office of Passport Policy and Advisory Services
Telephone [phone] or 955-0232
Fax [phone]

The request must be accompanied by supporting documentation according to the
category under which validation is sought.  Currently, the four categories
of persons specified in 22 C.F.R. 51.74 as being eligible for consideration
for passport validation are as follows:

[a]  Professional reporters:  Includes full-time members of the reporting or
writing staff of a newspaper, magazine or broadcasting network whose purpose
for travel is to gather information about Iraq for dissemination to the
general public.

[b]  American Red Cross:  Applicant establishes that he or she is a
representative of the American Red Cross or International Red Cross
traveling pursuant to an officially-sponsored Red Cross mission.

[c]  Humanitarian considerations:  Applicant must establish that his or her
trip is justified by compelling humanitarian considerations or for family
unification.  At this time, "compelling humanitarian considerations" include
situations where the applicant can document that an immediate family member
is critically ill in Iraq.   Documentation concerning family illness must
include the name and address of the relative, and be from that relative's
physician attesting to the nature and gravity of the illness.  "Family
unification" situations may include cases in which spouses or minor children
are residing in Iraq, with and dependent on, an Iraqi national spouse or
parent for their support.

[d]  National interest:  The applicant's request is otherwise found to be in
the national interest.

In all requests for passport validation for travel to Iraq, the name, date
and place of birth for all concerned persons must be given, as well as the
U.S. passport numbers.  Documentation as outlined above should accompany all
requests.  Additional information may be obtained by writing to the above
address or by calling the Office of Passport Policy and Advisory Services at
[202] 955-0231 or 955-0232.

U.S. Treasury Restrictions:  In August 1990 President Bush issued Executive
Orders 12722 and 12724, imposing economic sanctions against Iraq including a
complete trade embargo.  The U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign
Assets Control administers the regulations related to these sanctions, which
include restrictions on all financial transactions related to travel to
Iraq.  These regulations prohibit all travel-related transactions, except as
specifically licensed.  The only exceptions to this licensing requirement
are for persons engaged in journalism or in official U.S. government or U.N.
business.  Questions concerning these restrictions should be addressed
directly to:

Licensing Section
Office of Foreign Assets Control
U.S. Department of the Treasury,
Washington, D.C. 20220
Telephone: [phone];  Fax: [phone]

Areas of Instability:  Hostilities in the Gulf region ceased on February 27,
1991.  United Nations Security Council Resolution 687, adopted on April 3,
1991, set terms for a permanent cease-fire, but conditions in Iraq remain
unsettled.  Travel in Iraq is extremely hazardous, particularly for U.S.
citizens.

Regional conflicts continue in northern Iraq between Kurdish ethnic groups
and Iraqi security forces.  In southern Iraq, governmental repression of the
Shia communities is severe.

U.S. citizens in Kuwait working near the Kuwait-Iraq border are in jeopardy
of detention by Iraqi security personnel.  In 1992 and 1993, a number of
U.S. citizens and other foreigners working near the Kuwait-Iraq border were
detained by Iraqi authorities for lengthy periods under harsh conditions.

Medical Facilities:  Basic modern medical care and medicines may not be
available.  Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for
services.  U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United
States.  Supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage has
proved useful.  The international travelers hotline at the Centers for
Disease Control, telephone [phone], has additional useful health
information.

Information on Crime:  Reports of crime in Iraq are increasing, especially
in the larger cities.  The loss or theft of a U.S. passport abroad should be
reported immediately to local police, and the U.S. Interests Section or 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.

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

Terrorism:  Tension in the Persian Gulf region remains high because of
continuing Iraqi defiance of U.N. Security Council resolutions.  As a
result, the risk of terrorism directed against U.S. citizens in Iraq remains
a continuing concern.

Registration:  There is no U.S. Embassy in Iraq.  The U.S. government is not
in a position to accord normal consular protective services to U.S. citizens
who, despite this warning, are in Iraq.  U.S. Government interests are
represented by the Government of Poland, which, as a protecting power, is
able to provide only limited emergency services to U.S. citizens.

Embassy Location:  There is no U.S. Embassy or Consulate in Iraq.  The U.S.
Interests Section of the Embassy of Poland is located opposite the Foreign
Ministry Club (Masbah Quarter); P.O. Box 2447 Alwiyah, Baghdad, Iraq.  The
telephone number is (964) (1) 719-6138, 719-6139, 719-3791, 718-1840.

No. 94-219

This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated August 31, 1993 to update
the section on areas of instability, and to show the new address and phone
numbers of the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Passport Services, U.S.
Department of State