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

Text File | 1994-12-07 | 7KB | 124 lines

Ethiopia - Consular Information Sheet
May 9, 1994

Country Description:  Ethiopia is a developing East African country.  The
transitional government which came to power in September 1991, following two
decades of civil war, has achieved a measure of success in managing regional
conflicts and consolidating central authority.  However, some outlying areas
of the country continue to experience lawlessness and there are scattered
reports of low-level civil strife.  Tourism facilities in Ethiopia are
minimal.  Eritrea, formerly a province of Ethiopia, became an independent
country on May 24, 1993.  A separate Consular Information Sheet on Eritrea
has been issued.

Entry Requirements:  A passport and a visa are required, as well as evidence
of yellow fever immunization.  Travelers must enter Ethiopia by air, either
at Addis Ababa or at Dire Dawa.  Travelers entering overland risk being
detained by immigration authorities and/or fined.  Airport visas may be
obtained only if 72 hours advance notice has been provided by the traveler's
sponsoring organization to proper authorities within Ethiopia.  Airport
visas are not available to travelers departing from or traveling through a
country where an Ethiopian diplomatic mission is located.  Exit visas are
required of all visitors remaining in Ethiopia for more than 30 days.  There
is an airport departure tax of $10 (U. S.), payable in hard currency, for
all foreigners.   For more information on entry/exit requirements, travelers
may contact the Embassy of Ethiopia, 2134 Kalorama Road, N.W., Washington,
D.C. 20008, telephone [phone].

Areas of Instability:  The possibility exists for increased tensions and
civil strife in major population centers during the period leading up to the
Constituent Assembly elections, scheduled for early June.  In Addis Ababa,
there has been an increase in overt signs of anti-Americanism, such as rock-
throwing and verbal harassment.  This sentiment may increase during the pre-
election period.  Incidents of banditry are not uncommon in the southernmost
areas of Ethiopia, along the Kenyan border and as far north as Woleyita
(former Sidamo province).  There have also been increased reports of armed
clashes between various opposition elements and government forces in
outlying areas of Jijiga.  There is also possible spillover from the
conflict in Somalia for travelers in nearby border areas.  Oromo Liberation
Front (OLF) elements report that armed OLF units periodically clash with
forces of the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) in
the western area of Nekemte (former Wollega province) and in the east,
around Harar.  However, these reports are unconfirmed.

Travel Within the Country:  Domestic and international air services
generally operate on schedule, although flights between Addis Ababa and
Asmara are heavily booked and may be canceled without prior warning.  In the
first year of the transition to the new government there were a number of
hijackings of domestic flights.  The government has tightened security
procedures and such incidents have become much less common.

Domestic Travel Hazards:  Land mines and other anti-personnel devices litter
the Ethiopian countryside, particularly along major roads.  Many persons,
including foreigners, have been injured by these devices.  Travel on paved
roads generally is safer than travel on unpaved roads.  Areas off the
pavement around bridges or water crossings may also be hazardous.  Overland
travel is especially dangerous in areas east and south of Harar, in Region 5
(formerly known as the Ogaden), due to the recent discovery of a number of
newly laid land mines on the main road between Harar and Jijiga.  Frequent
fuel shortages can make travel outside of Addis Ababa very difficult, if
traveling by car.  Vehicle travel after dark outside Addis Ababa is risky.

Medical Facilities:  Medical facilities in Ethiopia are extremely limited.
Even the best hospitals in Addis Ababa suffer from inadequate facilities,
antiquated equipment and shortages of supplies, particularly medications,
although physicians themselves are generally well-trained.  Emergency
assistance is limited.  Travelers generally bring their own supplies of
prescription drugs and preventive medicines.  Doctors and hospitals usually
expect cash payment for services.  Not all U.S. medical insurance is valid
outside the United States.  Supplemental medical insurance with specific
overseas coverage and medical evacuation provisions has proved useful.
Information on health matters can be obtained from the Centers for Disease
Control's international travelers hotline, telephone [phone].

Information on Crime:  Pick-pocketing is rampant, and there have been
numerous reports of thieves snatching jewelry.  Banditry occurs on roads
outside major towns or cities, and may result in violent attacks; several
persons have been killed.  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.

Currency Regulations:  There continues to be a lively black market for hard
currency in Ethiopia, despite a recent devaluation of the Ethiopian birr.
Visitors must declare hard currency upon arrival and may be required to
present this declaration when applying for an exit visa.  Penalties for
exchanging money on the black market range from fines to imprisonment.
Credit cards are not widely accepted in Ethiopia, and hotel and car rental
expenses must be paid in hard currency.

Prohibition on Photography:  Certain buildings and public places may not be
photographed.  Travel guides, police and Ethiopian officials can advise if a
particular site may be photographed.  Photographing banned sites may result
in the confiscation of film and camera.  Equipment such as video cameras
must be declared upon arrival and departure from Ethiopia.

Export of Antiques and Animal Skins:  Permits are required before either
antiques or animal skins can be exported from Ethiopia.

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 strictly enforced.  Convicted offenders can expect jail
sentences, fines and possible confiscation of personal property.

Registration:  U.S. citizens who register at the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa
may obtain updated information on travel and security in Ethiopia.

Embassy Location:  The U.S. Embassy is located at Entoto Avenue, P.O. Box
1014, in Addis Ababa.  The telephone number is (251-1) 550-666, extension
316/336; the emergency afterhours number is (251-1) 552-558.  The Embassy
general fax number is (251-1) 55-21-91 and the consular fax number is (251-
1) 552-243.

No. 94-057

This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated March 7, 1994, to include
reports of increased armed clashes in outlying areas of Jijiga and to report
the discovery of new land mines on the road between Harar and Jijiga.