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

Text File | 1994-12-07 | 6KB | 110 lines

Liberia - Travel Warning
October 27, 1994

U.S. citizens are warned against travel to Liberia because of continued
fighting and unsettled conditions in many areas, despite a peace accord
signed in 1993 and subsequent efforts to reach an implementation agreement
in September 1994.  Although a safety buffer exists around Monrovia, roads
outside the capital are not open for regular travel, and are heavily mined.
Travelers to the interior of Liberia may be in danger of being detained,
harassed, delayed, injured, or killed.

No. 94-046

This replaces the Travel warning dated October 18, 1993, to update
information on the security situation in Liberia.

Liberia - Consular Information Sheet
October 28, 1994

Warning:  U.S. citizens are warned against travel to Liberia because of
continued fighting and unsettled conditions in many areas, despite a peace
accord signed in 1993 and subsequent efforts to reach an implementation
agreement in September 1994.  Although a safety buffer exists around
Monrovia, roads outside the capital are not open for regular travel, and are
heavily mined.  Travelers to the interior of Liberia may be in danger of
being detained, harassed, delayed, injured, or killed.

Country Description:  Liberia is a developing West African country which has
suffered internal strife for the past several years.  Tourism facilities are
poor and, in some cases, non-existent.

Entry Requirements:  Travelers who plan a trip to Liberia despite this
warning are required to have a passport and a visa prior to arrival.
Evidence of yellow fever vaccinations is required.  An exit permit must be
obtained from Liberian immigration authorities upon arrival.  Further
information on entry requirements for Liberia can be obtained from the
Embassy of the Republic of Liberia, 5201 16th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.
20011.  The telephone numbers are [phone] to 723-0440.

Areas of Instability:  The situation in Liberia changes daily.  Fighting
continues and tensions remain high in much of the country.  A recent
outbreak of fighting in the upper counties among the warring factions has
caused all but a few expatriates to leave the area.  Those who remain are
isolated and unable to leave, due to restraints put on them by the
combatants.  There have been incidents of sporadic violence against
civilians by partisans of Liberia's warring factions and/or tribes, and
civilians have been killed or injured by landmines exploding on the roads.

A security buffer, provided by forces of the West African Peace Monitoring
Group (ECOMOG) surrounds Monrovia.  Roads outside of Monrovia, which are not
open for travel, are heavily mined.  Those venturing outside of Monrovia
must return to the city limits by 5:00 p.m.; there is also a curfew in
effect.  U.S. Embassy employees are not permitted to travel outside Monrovia
except for official business.

Roberts International Airport, about 30 miles outside of Monrovia, is
closed.  Limited daytime air service exists only to nearby West African
countries -- the majority of flights are to Freetown, Sierra Leone, and
Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire.  No major international carrier serves Monrovia's
Spriggs Payne Airfield.  Overland routes to neighboring countries are not
open.

Medical Facilities:  Medical facilities are poor.  Hospitals have been
looted and are barely able to provide services.  Medicines are scarce in
most areas.  Information on health matters can be obtained from the Centers
for Disease Control's international travelers hotline, telephone (404) 332-
4559.

Information on Crime:  Monrovia's crime rate is extremely high.  Foreigners,
including U.S. citizens, have been targets of street crime and violent
robbery in their homes.  Residential armed break-ins are common.  The police
are ill-equipped and largely incapable of providing effective protection.

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.

Country Infrastructure:  Lodging, water, electricity, fuel, transportation,
telephone and postal services continue to be unevenly available in Monrovia.
 Such services are nonexistent or severely limited in rural areas.
Commercial power is unavailable in Monrovia.  Most businesses and facilities
rely upon genarators to provide electricity.  Few facilities and even fewer
homes have telephones; disruption of service is common.  Mail delivery is
erratic.  Parcel delivery service is available to Monrovia.  Courier mail
service is available in Monrovia.

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 strict and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences
and fines.

Registration:  U.S. citizens may register and obtain updated travel and
security information at the U.S. Embassy in Monrovia.  Consular assistance
may be limited by the unrest in the country.

Embassy Location:  The U.S. Embassy is located in the capital of Monrovia at
111 United Nations Drive.  The telephone number is (231) 226370; the fax
number is (231)226148.  The U.S. Embassy's mailing address is P.O. Box 10-
0098, Mamba Point, Monrovia, or APO AE 09813.

No. 94-254

This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated October 18, 1993, to
reflect a revised Travel Warning, updated information on crime and on areas
of instability, and the new telephone number for the U.S. Embassy.