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

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Mali - Consular Information Sheet
September 21, 1994

Country Description:  Mali is a developing West African nation with a new
democratically elected system of government.  Facilities for tourism are
limited.

Entry Requirements:  A passport and a visa are required.  For further
information, the traveler may contact the Embassy of the Republic of Mali,
2130 R Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.  20008, telephone [phone].

Areas of Instability:  Attacks by groups of armed bandits, usually focused
on vehicle theft, have occurred in the Timbuktu, Gao and Kidal regions.
Overland travel to the areas north of the Niger River in the Mopti region,
as well as to the areas near the Mauritanian border is also risky.  Tourists
who have traveled by air have not been threatened.  However, travel by river
boat may be dangerous; a river boat was attacked in the summer by bandits,
and several travelers were injured.

Medical Facilities:  Medical facilities are limited.  Many medicines are
unavailable.  Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for
health care services.  U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside
the United States.  Supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas
coverage, including medical evacuation, 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:  While crime in general continues to escalate in Mali,
petty crimes, such as pickpocketing and simple theft, are still most common.
 Less frequent, yet more serious, are the incidents of armed robberies and
banditry that occur in the downtown Bamako area and along major travel
routes, near principal cities.  Victims have included foreigners.  Travelers
who stay alert, remain in groups, avoid poorly lit areas, etc., especially
during the hours of darkness may avoid problems.

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 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.

Road Conditions:  The roads from Bamako to Mopti, Douentza, Koutiala,
Sikasso, and Bougouni, and a few other roads are paved.  Road conditions on
other routes are poor, particularly in the rainy season which runs from mid-
June to mid-September.  On major roads, stops at customs and police
checkpoints are frequent.  Driving is particularly hazardous after dark, and
nighttime travel may be dangerous.

Photography:  Photography is no longer restricted, except for military
subjects.  However, interpretation of what may be considered off limits
varies.  Other subjects may be considered sensitive from a cultural or
religious viewpoint, and it is helpful to obtain permission before taking
photographs in Mali.

Currency:  The Malian currency is the CFA franc which is exchangeable for
French francs at a fixed rate.  Exchange of dollars in cash or travelers
checks is slow and often involves out-of-date rates.  The U.S. Embassy
cannot provide exchange facilities for non-official Americans.  Use of
credit cards is limited to payment for services at two hotels in Bamako.
Cash advances on credit cards are performed by only one bank in Mali, the
BMCD Bank in Bamako, and only on a "Visa" credit card.

Telephone Service:  International calls are expensive, and collect calls
cannot be made from Mali.  Calls to the United States cost approximately ten
dollars a minute.  Outside Bamako, it is often impossible to obtain an
international telephone line.

Exportation of Artifacts:  In 1993, the U.S. government began providing
emergency protection for Malian cultural property, thereby restricting the
importation of Malian archeological cultural property to the U.S.  While
these U.S. restrictions apply only to archeological items, travelers
planning to export any Malian cultural property are required by Malian law
to obtain an export authorization from the National Museum in Bamako.

Registration:  U.S. citizens who register at the U.S. Embassy in Bamako may
obtain updated informaton on travel and security in Mali.

Embassy Location:  The U.S. Embassy is located at the intersection of Rue
Rochester NY and Rue Mohamed V, in Bamako, the capital city.  The mailing
address is B.P. 34, Bamako, Mali.  The telephone number is [phone].
The fax number is [phone].

No. 94-224

This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated June 13, 1994, to note
that river boat travel may be risky and to revise the paragraph on crime.