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

Text File | 1994-12-07 | 11KB | 187 lines

Zaire - Consular Information Sheet
September 2, 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.  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.  Because U.S. citizens may not be
able to obtain a visa at Zairian embassies in neighboring countries,
travelers may wish to apply at the Zairian Embassy in Washington well in
advance of any planned trip.  Visa fees are apt to be high.  American
travelers are requested not to attempt to enter Zaire without a visa.
Zairian immigration will generally not comply with U.S. Embassy requests for
temporary entry, and travelers may have to wait in the airport until they
are able to leave the country on another flight.  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 2 Henry Avenue, North Caldwell, NJ 07006, telephone
[phone].

Areas of Instability:

North and South Kivu Provinces - As of July 1994, over a million refugees
from the civil war in Rwanda have fled into neighboring parts of Zaire,
especially the cities of Goma and Bukavu in the provinces of North and South
Kivu.  The local economy has not been able to support this massive inflow of
people; as a result, transportation, lodging, and food are all extremely
difficult to obtain.  A cholera epidemic has killed many people, and other
epidemics are an imminent threat.  Despite efforts to disarm refugees as
they enter Zaire, many weapons have entered the area, adding to the general
instability.  Mortar shells have fallen into Goma, killing dozens of people
either directly or because of the mass panic which follows a hit.  The U.S.
Embassy in Kinshasa has advised Americans not directly connected with the
organized refugee relief effort to refrain from visiting or transiting the
cities of Goma, Bukavu or the Kivu region.

Kinshasa City - Although there are several flights each week between
Kinshasa and European cities, schedules may be disrupted by security
problems in Kinshasa or neighboring Brazzaville.  There have been instances
of shooting into Kinshasa from Brazzaville and of mortar 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.

All Urban Areas - 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 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.

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 patrol 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 is closed.  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 new 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 detained or arrested for infractions of this type and
had their money confiscated.  Credit cards are generally not accepted,
except by a few major hotels and restaurants.  It is illegal to take Zairian
currency out of the country.

Because of the continued and rapid devaluation of the new Zaire currency,
U.S. dollar cash has become a preferred (although illegal) medium of
exchange for unofficial transactions greater than 100 dollars.  A number of
counterfeit U.S. 100-dollar bills are in circulation.  For this reason, 100-
dollar bills printed in 1988 are not generally accepted; those printed in
1990 are the most widely accepted.  Smaller denominations than 100-dollar
bills are also accepted.  However, it must be emphasized that any use of non-
Zairian currency to make purchases is illegal and may be punished by
confiscation of the purchases and payment of a fine.

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.  Offenders' film and camera may also be confiscated.

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.

Civil Aviation Oversight:  In November 1992, the U.S. Federal Aviation
Administration assessed Zaire's civil aviation authority as not in
compliance with international aviation safety oversight standards for
Zaire's carriers operating to and from the U.S.  Typically, the same level
of safety oversight is applied to operations to other destinations.  For
further information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation
at 1-800-322-7873.

Registration:  All U.S. citizens who register at the U.S. Embassy in
Kinshasa may 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. 94-213

This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated August 30, 1994, to add
the paragraph on aviation oversight.