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

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STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Georgia
============================================================
Georgia - Consular Information Sheet
 August 15, 1995

Country Description:  Georgia is a nation undergoing profound
political and economic change.  It is a newly independent nation
still in the process of stabilizing its relations with neighboring
countries.  Tourist facilities outside of the capital are not highly
developed, and many of the goods and services taken for granted in
other countries are not yet available.  Travel, especially by air,
may be disrupted by fuel shortages and other problems.

Entry Requirements:  A passport is required.  A visa is not
required before arrival.  Visitors who enter at the Tbilisi airport
receive a temporary stamp at passport control and are instructed to
obtain a visa from the Consular division of the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs.  Visas are usually granted within five days.  Travelers who
have a valid multiple-entry visa from Armenia or Azerbaijan are not
required to obtain a Georgian visa.  Those arriving from or
departing to other countries, including other former Soviet states,
must obtain a Georgian visa in order to leave the country.  On an
exceptional basis, the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs can
assist travelers to obtain visas at the checkpoint at Sarpi on the
border with Turkey, and at the port of Batumi on the Black Sea.
Arrangements must be made in advance to issue a visa at one of these
entry points.  Travelers may contact the U.S. Embassy in Tblisi for
assistance.

Areas of Instability:  Travel in the separatist-controlled Georgian
autonomous Republic of Abkhazia remains hazardous.  Since March
1995, there has been increased Abkhaz terrorist activity in southern
Abkhazia and attacks on United Nations personnel in the Sukhumi and
Gali districts of Abkhazia.  In addition, land mines pose a threat
to all travelers in Abkhazia.  Lack of access to Abkhazia severely
restricts the American Embassy's ability to assist U.S. citizens
even in emergencies.  Travel to Abkhazia of Embassy and other U.S.
government personnel is restricted and approved by the Ambassador on
a case-by-case basis only.

Travelers to Abkhazia may also encounter so-called Abkhaz officials
who assert the authority to restrict travel into Abkhazia unless the
traveler obtains a "visa" from the so-called "Ministry of Foreign
Affairs of the Republic of Abkhazia."  The U.S. government does not
recognize an independent republic of Abkhazia separate from the
Republic of Georgia.

High crime rates in south Ossetia make unofficial and unescorted
travel there risky.  The security situation in Tbilisi has improved,
but crime rates are still high.  The security of overland travel
inside Georgia is minimal but improving.  All train and vehicular
traffic is vulnerable to robbery.

Terrorist Activities:  Some terrorist incidents have occurred in
the country in connection with regional conflicts.  Passenger trains
traveling between Georgia and Armenia have been the targets of
bombings.

Medical Facilities:  Medical care in Georgia is limited.  There is
a severe shortage of basic medical supplies, including disposable
needles, anesthetics, and antibiotics.  Elderly travelers and those
with existing health problems may be at risk due to inadequate
medical facilities.  Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate
cash payment for health services.  U.S. medical insurance is not
always valid outside the United States.  Travelers have found that
in some cases, supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas
coverage has proved to be useful.  The U.S. Embassy maintains a list
of English-speaking physicians in the area.  Further information on
health matters can be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention international travelers hotline, tel: [phone].

Crime Information:  Georgia has a high rate of crime.  Petty thefts
and pickpocketing occur, particularly in crowded open-air markets.
Violent crimes are not uncommon, occuring most frequently at night.
Sporadic gunfire, often celebratory in nature, can be dangerous to
bystanders.  Travelers on the metro system in Tblisi are
particularly susceptible to criminal acts.  Police authority has
improved slightly in the past few months.  However, security
conditions can change rapidly, especially outside the capital city
of Tbilisi.

The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported
immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or
consulate.  The Department of State's pamphlet "A Safe Trip Abroad"
provides useful information on guarding valuables and protecting
personal security while traveling abroad and is available from the
Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office,
Washington  D.C. 20402.

Hotel Security:  Because of continuing security problems within and
on the grounds of the Metechi Palace Hotel in Tbilisi, the U.S.
Embassy has instructed its employees not to enter the hotel.

Currency Regulations:  Georgia is a cash only economy.  Traveler's
checks and credit cards are rarely accepted.

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 and Embassy Location:  Americans who register at the
Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy may obtain updated information
on travel and security within Georgia.  The U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi
is located at 25 Atoneli Street; telephone (7) [phone] or
(7-8832) 98-99-68.

 No. 95-090

This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated August 10, 1994,
to reflect updated information on areas of instability.


----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
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 - Georgia
============================================================
Georgia - Consular Information Sheet
 August 15, 1995

Country Description:  Georgia is a nation undergoing profound
political and economic change.  It is a newly independent nation
still in the process of stabilizing its relations with neighboring
countries.  Tourist facilities outside of the capital are not highly
developed, and many of the goods and services taken for granted in
other countries are not yet available.  Travel, especially by air,
may be disrupted by fuel shortages and other problems.

Entry Requirements:  A passport is required.  A visa is not
required before arrival.  Visitors who enter at the Tbilisi airport
receive a temporary stamp at passport control and are instructed to
obtain a visa from the Consular division of the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs.  Visas are usually granted within five days.  Travelers who
have a valid multiple-entry visa from Armenia or Azerbaijan are not
required to obtain a Georgian visa.  Those arriving from or
departing to other countries, including other former Soviet states,
must obtain a Georgian visa in order to leave the country.  On an
exceptional basis, the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs can
assist travelers to obtain visas at the checkpoint at Sarpi on the
border with Turkey, and at the port of Batumi on the Black Sea.
Arrangements must be made in advance to issue a visa at one of these
entry points.  Travelers may contact the U.S. Embassy in Tblisi for
assistance.

Areas of Instability:  Travel in the separatist-controlled Georgian
autonomous Republic of Abkhazia remains hazardous.  Since March
1995, there has been increased Abkhaz terrorist activity in southern
Abkhazia and attacks on United Nations personnel in the Sukhumi and
Gali districts of Abkhazia.  In addition, land mines pose a threat
to all travelers in Abkhazia.  Lack of access to Abkhazia severely
restricts the American Embassy's ability to assist U.S. citizens
even in emergencies.  Travel to Abkhazia of Embassy and other U.S.
government personnel is restricted and approved by the Ambassador on
a case-by-case basis only.

Travelers to Abkhazia may also encounter so-called Abkhaz officials
who assert the authority to restrict travel into Abkhazia unless the
traveler obtains a "visa" from the so-called "Ministry of Foreign
Affairs of the Republic of Abkhazia."  The U.S. government does not
recognize an independent republic of Abkhazia separate from the
Republic of Georgia.

High crime rates in south Ossetia make unofficial and unescorted
travel there risky.  The security situation in Tbilisi has improved,
but crime rates are still high.  The security of overland travel
inside Georgia is minimal but improving.  All train and vehicular
traffic is vulnerable to robbery.

Terrorist Activities:  Some terrorist incidents have occurred in
the country in connection with regional conflicts.  Passenger trains
traveling between Georgia and Armenia have been the targets of
bombings.

Medical Facilities:  Medical care in Georgia is limited.  There is
a severe shortage of basic medical supplies, including disposable
needles, anesthetics, and antibiotics.  Elderly travelers and those
with existing health problems may be at risk due to inadequate
medical facilities.  Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate
cash payment for health services.  U.S. medical insurance is not
always valid outside the United States.  Travelers have found that
in some cases, supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas
coverage has proved to be useful.  The U.S. Embassy maintains a list
of English-speaking physicians in the area.  Further information on
health matters can be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention international travelers hotline, tel: [phone].

Crime Information:  Georgia has a high rate of crime.  Petty thefts
and pickpocketing occur, particularly in crowded open-air markets.
Violent crimes are not uncommon, occuring most frequently at night.
Sporadic gunfire, often celebratory in nature, can be dangerous to
bystanders.  Travelers on the metro system in Tblisi are
particularly susceptible to criminal acts.  Police authority has
improved slightly in the past few months.  However, security
conditions can change rapidly, especially outside the capital city
of Tbilisi.

The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported
immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or
consulate.  The Department of State's pamphlet "A Safe Trip Abroad"
provides useful information on guarding valuables and protecting
personal security while traveling abroad and is available from the
Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office,
Washington  D.C. 20402.

Hotel Security:  Because of continuing security problems within and
on the grounds of the Metechi Palace Hotel in Tbilisi, the U.S.
Embassy has instructed its employees not to enter the hotel.

Currency Regulations:  Georgia is a cash only economy.  Traveler's
checks and credit cards are rarely accepted.

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 and Embassy Location:  Americans who register at the
Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy may obtain updated information
on travel and security within Georgia.  The U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi
is located at 25 Atoneli Street; telephone (7) [phone] or
(7-8832) 98-99-68.

 No. 95-090

This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated August 10, 1994,
to reflect updated information on areas of instability.


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