Wayzata World Factbook 1996/The World Factbook - 1996 Edition - Wayzata Technology (3079) (1996).iso/pc/text/tvltxt/benin.tvl

Text File | 1995-12-13 | 10KB | 190 lines

STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Benin
============================================================
Benin - Consular Information Sheet
 November 21, 1995

Country Description:  Benin is a developing west African country.
Its capital city is Porto Novo; however, the city of Cotonou is the
main port and largest city, site of the international airport and
most government, commercial, and tourist activity.  Tourist
facilities in Cotonou are available, but are not fully developed
elsewhere.

Entry Requirements:  A visa is required.  Travelers should obtain
the latest information from the Embassy of the Republic of Benin,
2737 Cathedral Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, telephone (202)
232-6656.  Overseas, inquiries should be made at the nearest
Beninese Embassy or Consulate.

Areas of Instability:  Travel at night, outside of population
centers, poses a risk principally because of poor road conditions.
Travelers may wish to contact the U.S. Embassy for the latest
security information.

Medical Facilities:  Medical facilities in Benin are limited.  Not
all medicines are available, and doctors and hospitals often expect
immediate cash payment for health services.  U.S. medical insurance
is not always valid or accepted outside the United States.  The
Medicare/Medicaid program does not provide for payment of medical
services outside the United States.  Travelers have found
supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas and medical
evacuation coverage to be useful.  For additional health
information, travelers can contact the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention's international travelers hotline [phone].

Information on Crime:  Street crime, especially within Cotonou,
continues to rise.  Most robberies and muggings occur along the
Marina Boulevard and the beach near the hotels frequented by
international visitors.  Some of the incidents reported involve the
use of force, often by armed persons, with occasional minor injury
to the victim.  Isolated areas are best avoided.

Business fraud stemming from Nigerian scam operations targets
foreigners, including Americans, and poses a danger of financial
loss and physical harm.  Persons contemplating business deals in
Benin with individuals promoting investment in Nigeria, especially
the Central Bank of Nigeria or the Nigerian National Petroleum
Company, are strongly urged to check with the U.S. Department of
Commerce or the U.S. Department of State before providing any
information, making financial commitments, or traveling to Benin.

The Department of State has issued a brochure for business
travelers to Nigeria; single copies are available at no charge from
the Office of American Citizens Services and Crisis Management, Room
4811, Department of State, Washington, D.C. 20520-4818.  Please
enclose a stamped, self-addressed envelope.

The loss or theft of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately
to the 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.

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.

Embassy Location/Registration:  U.S. citizens are encouraged to
register with the U.S. Embassy in Cotonou at Rue Caporal Anani
Bernard, and to obtain updated information on travel and security in
Benin.  The Embassy's mailing address is B.P. 2012, Cotonou, Benin.
The telephone numbers are [phone], 30-05-13, and 30-17-92.
The fax numbers are [phone] and 30-19-74.

 No. 95-147

This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated April 28, 1995,
to include information on the prevalence of Nigerian business scams
operating in Benin.


----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
The "[e-mail]" mailing list is the official Internet and
BITNET distribution point for the U.S. State Department Travel Warnings and
Consular Information Sheets.  To unsubscribe, send a message containing the
word "unsubscribe" to:    [e-mail]

Archives of past "travel-advisories" postings are available at the URL:
"http://www.stolaf.edu/network/travel-advisories.html" or via Gopher:
gopher.stolaf.edu, Internet Resources/US-State-Department-Travel-Advisories

------------------------------------------------------------------------------


STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Benin
============================================================
Benin - Consular Information Sheet
 November 21, 1995

Country Description:  Benin is a developing west African country.
Its capital city is Porto Novo; however, the city of Cotonou is the
main port and largest city, site of the international airport and
most government, commercial, and tourist activity.  Tourist
facilities in Cotonou are available, but are not fully developed
elsewhere.

Entry Requirements:  A visa is required.  Travelers should obtain
the latest information from the Embassy of the Republic of Benin,
2737 Cathedral Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, telephone (202)
232-6656.  Overseas, inquiries should be made at the nearest
Beninese Embassy or Consulate.

Areas of Instability:  Travel at night, outside of population
centers, poses a risk principally because of poor road conditions.
Travelers may wish to contact the U.S. Embassy for the latest
security information.

Medical Facilities:  Medical facilities in Benin are limited.  Not
all medicines are available, and doctors and hospitals often expect
immediate cash payment for health services.  U.S. medical insurance
is not always valid or accepted outside the United States.  The
Medicare/Medicaid program does not provide for payment of medical
services outside the United States.  Travelers have found
supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas and medical
evacuation coverage to be useful.  For additional health
information, travelers can contact the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention's international travelers hotline [phone].

Information on Crime:  Street crime, especially within Cotonou,
continues to rise.  Most robberies and muggings occur along the
Marina Boulevard and the beach near the hotels frequented by
international visitors.  Some of the incidents reported involve the
use of force, often by armed persons, with occasional minor injury
to the victim.  Isolated areas are best avoided.

Business fraud stemming from Nigerian scam operations targets
foreigners, including Americans, and poses a danger of financial
loss and physical harm.  Persons contemplating business deals in
Benin with individuals promoting investment in Nigeria, especially
the Central Bank of Nigeria or the Nigerian National Petroleum
Company, are strongly urged to check with the U.S. Department of
Commerce or the U.S. Department of State before providing any
information, making financial commitments, or traveling to Benin.

The Department of State has issued a brochure for business
travelers to Nigeria; single copies are available at no charge from
the Office of American Citizens Services and Crisis Management, Room
4811, Department of State, Washington, D.C. 20520-4818.  Please
enclose a stamped, self-addressed envelope.

The loss or theft of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately
to the 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.

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.

Embassy Location/Registration:  U.S. citizens are encouraged to
register with the U.S. Embassy in Cotonou at Rue Caporal Anani
Bernard, and to obtain updated information on travel and security in
Benin.  The Embassy's mailing address is B.P. 2012, Cotonou, Benin.
The telephone numbers are [phone], 30-05-13, and 30-17-92.
The fax numbers are [phone] and 30-19-74.

 No. 95-147

This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated April 28, 1995,
to include information on the prevalence of Nigerian business scams
operating in Benin.


----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
The "[e-mail]" mailing list is the official Internet and
BITNET distribution point for the U.S. State Department Travel Warnings and
Consular Information Sheets.  To unsubscribe, send a message containing the
word "unsubscribe" to:    [e-mail]

Archives of past "travel-advisories" postings are available at the URL:
"http://www.stolaf.edu/network/travel-advisories.html" or via Gopher:
gopher.stolaf.edu, Internet Resources/US-State-Department-Travel-Advisories
.