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

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STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Ethiopia
============================================================
Ethiopia - Consular Information Sheet
 September 13, 1995

Country Description:  Ethiopia is a developing east African
country.  A transitional government, which came to power in
September 1991 following two decades of civil war, turned over power
to an elected permanent government August 22, 1995.  Although most
of Ethiopia is stable, 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.  There is a separate Consular Information
Sheet on Eritrea.

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 ten U. S.
dollars, 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:  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).  Isolated incidents
of violence have recently occurred in other regions as well,
including the Lake Tana, Lake Langano, Awassa, and Arbaminch areas.
There have also been sporadic reports of armed clashes between
various opposition elements and government forces in Region 5
(Somalia border area).  There is also possible spillover from the
conflict in Somalia for travelers in nearby border areas.  Oromo
Liberation Front (OLF) elements claim 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 claims 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 warning.
Airport security procedures are thorough.  Nevertheless, there have
been occasional hijackings of domestic flights.  No American
citizens or other passengers have been harmed.

Domestic Travel Hazards:  Land mines and other anti-personnel
devices can be encountered frequently in areas which suffered
fighting during the war.  Areas such as the route to Asebeteferi,
the vicinity of Harar, the Ogaden region, and the roads north from
Addis Ababa to Tigray province are known mined areas.  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 land mines on the main road between Harar and Jijiga.  Irregular
fuel supplies can make traveling by car outside of Addis Ababa very
difficult.  Vehicle travel after dark outside Addis Ababa and other
cities is dangerous due to the possibility of armed robbery and
dangerous driving conditions.

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 medicine, 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.  The Medicare/Medicaid program does not
provide for payment of medical services outside the United States.
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 may be obtained from the Centers for Disease
Control's international travelers hotline, telephone [phone].

Information on Crime:  Pickpocketing is prevalent in urban areas
and there have been numerous reports of thieves snatching jewelry.
Banditry occurs on roads outside major towns or cities, and may be
accompanied by violence.  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:  The black market for hard currency is
declining as the official and free market rates for the Ethiopian
birr converge.  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 accepted by only one
hotel in Ethiopia.  Foreigners are required to pay for hotel and car
rental expenses 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 and laptop computers
must be declared upon arrival and departure from Ethiopia.  Tape
recorders require special customs permits.  Those intending
prolonged stays should check with the Ethiopian Embassy prior to
travel regarding customs procedures.

Export of Antiques and Animal Skins:  Permits are required before
either antiques or animal skins can be exported from Ethiopia.
Antique religious artifacts, including "Ethiopian crosses," require
documentation from the National Museum in Addis Ababa.

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/Embassy Location:  U.S. citizens who register at the
U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa may obtain updated information on travel
and security in Ethiopia.  The U.S. Embassy is located at Entoto
Avenue, P.O. Box 1014, in Addis Ababa.  The telephone 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) 551-094/551-748.

 No. 95-111

This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated April 6, 1995,
to update the summary of the political situation, the areas where
banditry has been reported, the description of airport security, and
currency developments.


----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
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 - Ethiopia
============================================================
Ethiopia - Public Announcement
June 28, 1995

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
For Immediate Release


PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT - ETHIOPIA

The American Embassy in Addis Ababa issued a warden message on June
26 informing the local American community of the assassination
attempt on
President Mubarek of Egypt.  The message stated further all American
residents should exercise caution, especially in the next few days
during the Organization of African Unity summit.  Persons arriving
in Ethiopia should be aware of heightened security concerns and be
prepared to cooperate fully with Ethiopian security personnel.

For further information on travel to Ethiopia consult the
Department of State's Consular Information Sheet of April 6, 1995.



----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
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 - Ethiopia
============================================================
Ethiopia - Consular Information Sheet
 September 13, 1995

Country Description:  Ethiopia is a developing east African
country.  A transitional government, which came to power in
September 1991 following two decades of civil war, turned over power
to an elected permanent government August 22, 1995.  Although most
of Ethiopia is stable, 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.  There is a separate Consular Information
Sheet on Eritrea.

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 ten U. S.
dollars, 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:  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).  Isolated incidents
of violence have recently occurred in other regions as well,
including the Lake Tana, Lake Langano, Awassa, and Arbaminch areas.
There have also been sporadic reports of armed clashes between
various opposition elements and government forces in Region 5
(Somalia border area).  There is also possible spillover from the
conflict in Somalia for travelers in nearby border areas.  Oromo
Liberation Front (OLF) elements claim 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 claims 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 warning.
Airport security procedures are thorough.  Nevertheless, there have
been occasional hijackings of domestic flights.  No American
citizens or other passengers have been harmed.

Domestic Travel Hazards:  Land mines and other anti-personnel
devices can be encountered frequently in areas which suffered
fighting during the war.  Areas such as the route to Asebeteferi,
the vicinity of Harar, the Ogaden region, and the roads north from
Addis Ababa to Tigray province are known mined areas.  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 land mines on the main road between Harar and Jijiga.  Irregular
fuel supplies can make traveling by car outside of Addis Ababa very
difficult.  Vehicle travel after dark outside Addis Ababa and other
cities is dangerous due to the possibility of armed robbery and
dangerous driving conditions.

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 medicine, 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.  The Medicare/Medicaid program does not
provide for payment of medical services outside the United States.
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 may be obtained from the Centers for Disease
Control's international travelers hotline, telephone [phone].

Information on Crime:  Pickpocketing is prevalent in urban areas
and there have been numerous reports of thieves snatching jewelry.
Banditry occurs on roads outside major towns or cities, and may be
accompanied by violence.  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:  The black market for hard currency is
declining as the official and free market rates for the Ethiopian
birr converge.  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 accepted by only one
hotel in Ethiopia.  Foreigners are required to pay for hotel and car
rental expenses 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 and laptop computers
must be declared upon arrival and departure from Ethiopia.  Tape
recorders require special customs permits.  Those intending
prolonged stays should check with the Ethiopian Embassy prior to
travel regarding customs procedures.

Export of Antiques and Animal Skins:  Permits are required before
either antiques or animal skins can be exported from Ethiopia.
Antique religious artifacts, including "Ethiopian crosses," require
documentation from the National Museum in Addis Ababa.

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/Embassy Location:  U.S. citizens who register at the
U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa may obtain updated information on travel
and security in Ethiopia.  The U.S. Embassy is located at Entoto
Avenue, P.O. Box 1014, in Addis Ababa.  The telephone 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) 551-094/551-748.

 No. 95-111

This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated April 6, 1995,
to update the summary of the political situation, the areas where
banditry has been reported, the description of airport security, and
currency developments.


----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
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
.