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

Text File | 1995-12-13 | 11KB | 212 lines

STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Haiti
============================================================
Haiti - Consular Information Sheet
 December 5, 1995

Country Description:  Haiti is one of the economically least
developed countries in the western hemisphere.  There are shortages
of goods and services in the countryside, although that is not the
case in Port Au Prince.

Entry Requirements:  A passport is required for travel to Haiti.
Although travel agencies and Haitian consulates in the U.S. often
inform travelers that a birth certificate or voter registration card
is sufficient documentation, Haitian immigration officials in Haiti
are increasingly requiring a valid passport to enter.  The airlines
that provide service between Haiti and the U.S. will not board
American citizens to return to the U.S. without a valid passport,
due to concerns about possible fraud.  For additional information
regarding entry, tax, and customs requirements for Haiti, contact
the Haitian Embassy at 2311 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington,
DC  20008 (Tel:  [phone]) or Haitian consulates in Florida,
Massachusetts, New York, Illinois or Puerto Rico.

Medical Facilities:  Medical care is limited and the level of
community sanitation is low.  Medical facilities outside the capital
are few, far between, and almost always below U.S. standards.  None
of the medical facilities in Haiti have the equipment and expertise
to which U.S. citizens may be accustomed, and life-threatening
emergencies may require evacuation by air ambulance at the patient's
expense.  Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment
for health services.  U.S. medical insurance is not always valid
outside the U.S.  In some instances, supplemental medical insurance
with specific overseas coverage and medical evacuation coverage has
proven useful.  For additional health information, travelers can
contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's
international travelers' hotline at [phone].

Crime Information:  Although crime remains a problem in Port au
Prince and the provinces, there have been few reported incidents
involving U.S. citizens.  Owing to their relative affluence,
foreigners in Haiti are at risk from violent criminal attacks,
particularly in urban areas.  Overall, the level of crime
approximates that which exists in larger cities in the U.S.  Crime
victims are often frustrated by the lack of response and enforcement
capabilities of the local police and judiciary.

The loss or theft of a passport overseas should be reported to the
local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.  Lost or
stolen U.S. birth certificates and/or drivers licenses used as entry
documents generally cannot be replaced outside the U.S.

Areas of Instablitiy:  Haiti has experienced occasional civil
unrest, including unofficial roadblocks in larger towns in all
regions of the country.  U.S. citizens have not been targeted in any
demonstration-related incidents, but travelers are urged to use
common sense in avoiding large crowds, which have been known to turn
violent.  There is also the potential for increased tensions with
Haiti experiencing its first presidential election process and
presidential inauguration since the return of President Aristide.

Drug Penalties:  U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the
country in which they are traveling.  Criminal penalties for
possession, use and dealing in illegal drugs are strict.  Those
accused of drug-related crimes can expect lengthy legal proceedings,
irregular application of Haitian law, and delayed due process.  If
convicted, offenders may face long jail sentences and substantial
fines.

Aviation Oversight:  As a result of an assessment conducted by the
U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in February 1995, the FAA
has found the government of Haiti's Civil Aviation Authority to not
be in compliance with international aviation safety standards for
oversight of Haitian air carrier operations.  Operations to the U.S.
by Haitian air carriers are not permitted unless they arrange to
have their flights conducted by a carrier from a country meeting
international aviation safety standards.  For further information,
travelers may contact the Department of Transportation at 1 800
322-7873.

Embassy Location/Registration:  All U.S. citizens in Haiti should
register with the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy.  The U.S.
Embassy is located on Harry Truman Blvd., Port au Prince; telephone
(509) 22-0200, 22-0354, 22-0368 or 22-0612; fax [phone].  The
Consular Section is located on Rue Oswald Durand, Port au Prince;
telephone [phone] or 23-8971; consular annex fax (509)
23-9665.  U.S. citizens may obtain updated information from the U.S.
Embassy on travel and security within Haiti.

 No. 95-156

This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated August 8, 1995,
to add paragraphs on Entry Requirements and 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 - Haiti
============================================================
Haiti - Consular Information Sheet
 December 5, 1995

Country Description:  Haiti is one of the economically least
developed countries in the western hemisphere.  There are shortages
of goods and services in the countryside, although that is not the
case in Port Au Prince.

Entry Requirements:  A passport is required for travel to Haiti.
Although travel agencies and Haitian consulates in the U.S. often
inform travelers that a birth certificate or voter registration card
is sufficient documentation, Haitian immigration officials in Haiti
are increasingly requiring a valid passport to enter.  The airlines
that provide service between Haiti and the U.S. will not board
American citizens to return to the U.S. without a valid passport,
due to concerns about possible fraud.  For additional information
regarding entry, tax, and customs requirements for Haiti, contact
the Haitian Embassy at 2311 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington,
DC  20008 (Tel:  [phone]) or Haitian consulates in Florida,
Massachusetts, New York, Illinois or Puerto Rico.

Medical Facilities:  Medical care is limited and the level of
community sanitation is low.  Medical facilities outside the capital
are few, far between, and almost always below U.S. standards.  None
of the medical facilities in Haiti have the equipment and expertise
to which U.S. citizens may be accustomed, and life-threatening
emergencies may require evacuation by air ambulance at the patient's
expense.  Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment
for health services.  U.S. medical insurance is not always valid
outside the U.S.  In some instances, supplemental medical insurance
with specific overseas coverage and medical evacuation coverage has
proven useful.  For additional health information, travelers can
contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's
international travelers' hotline at [phone].

Crime Information:  Although crime remains a problem in Port au
Prince and the provinces, there have been few reported incidents
involving U.S. citizens.  Owing to their relative affluence,
foreigners in Haiti are at risk from violent criminal attacks,
particularly in urban areas.  Overall, the level of crime
approximates that which exists in larger cities in the U.S.  Crime
victims are often frustrated by the lack of response and enforcement
capabilities of the local police and judiciary.

The loss or theft of a passport overseas should be reported to the
local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.  Lost or
stolen U.S. birth certificates and/or drivers licenses used as entry
documents generally cannot be replaced outside the U.S.

Areas of Instablitiy:  Haiti has experienced occasional civil
unrest, including unofficial roadblocks in larger towns in all
regions of the country.  U.S. citizens have not been targeted in any
demonstration-related incidents, but travelers are urged to use
common sense in avoiding large crowds, which have been known to turn
violent.  There is also the potential for increased tensions with
Haiti experiencing its first presidential election process and
presidential inauguration since the return of President Aristide.

Drug Penalties:  U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the
country in which they are traveling.  Criminal penalties for
possession, use and dealing in illegal drugs are strict.  Those
accused of drug-related crimes can expect lengthy legal proceedings,
irregular application of Haitian law, and delayed due process.  If
convicted, offenders may face long jail sentences and substantial
fines.

Aviation Oversight:  As a result of an assessment conducted by the
U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in February 1995, the FAA
has found the government of Haiti's Civil Aviation Authority to not
be in compliance with international aviation safety standards for
oversight of Haitian air carrier operations.  Operations to the U.S.
by Haitian air carriers are not permitted unless they arrange to
have their flights conducted by a carrier from a country meeting
international aviation safety standards.  For further information,
travelers may contact the Department of Transportation at 1 800
322-7873.

Embassy Location/Registration:  All U.S. citizens in Haiti should
register with the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy.  The U.S.
Embassy is located on Harry Truman Blvd., Port au Prince; telephone
(509) 22-0200, 22-0354, 22-0368 or 22-0612; fax [phone].  The
Consular Section is located on Rue Oswald Durand, Port au Prince;
telephone [phone] or 23-8971; consular annex fax (509)
23-9665.  U.S. citizens may obtain updated information from the U.S.
Embassy on travel and security within Haiti.

 No. 95-156

This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated August 8, 1995,
to add paragraphs on Entry Requirements and 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
.