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

Text File | 1995-12-13 | 6KB | 110 lines

STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Niger
============================================================
Niger - Consular Information Sheet
 April 28, 1995

Country Description:  Niger is a developing, inland African nation
whose northern area includes a part of the Sahara Desert.  Tourism
facilities are minimal, particularly outside of Niamey.

Entry Requirements:  A passport and a visa are required for entry
into Niger.  Visas are valid for a period of one week to three
months from the date of issuance, depending on the type of visa and
category of traveler.  Yellow fever and cholera vaccinations are
required for entry into Niger.  Travelers should also consider a
meningitis vaccination.  For further information, travelers may
contact the Embassy of the Republic of Niger, 2204 R Street, N.W.,
Washington D.C. 20008, telephone [phone].

Areas of Instability:  Travel remains dangerous in the north of the
country and extreme east of the country above a line connecting
(west to east) Tera, Tillaberi,Ouallam, Filingue, Tahoua, Keita,
Bouza, Dakoro, Tamout, and Nguigmi because of acts of armed
insurrection and banditry by elements of Niger's Tuareg population.
Travel by U.S. government personnel by road north of this line is
restricted and must be approved by the U.S. Embassy's security
office in advance.  Travel by U.S. government personnel to the towns
of Tera, Tillaberi, Ouallam and Filingue is permitted without prior
clearance but employees must notify the Embassy's security office of
their plans.  Travelers should be particularly cautious in
south-east Niger in the area surrounding Diffa due to sporadic
ethnic rivalries.

Medical Facilities:  Medical facilities are poor in Niger,
particularly outside the city of Niamey.  Medicines are in short
supply, 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's international travelers hotline (404)
332-4559.

Information on Crime:  Niger is considered a high crime country.
Armed bandits operate in northern Niger, and a number of people have
been killed over the last several years.  Care must be taken in
walking city streets anywhere in the country at any time, but
especially at night.  Thieves and pickpockets are especially active
in tourist areas.

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.

Dress Restrictions:  Local culture and Islamic tradition encourage
conservative dress for both men and women.  There have been
incidents of harassment of African women wearing western clothes in
the conservative towns along the southern border with Nigeria.
Although U.S. citizens are not specific targets, travelers should be
careful in choosing their attire.

Photography Restrictions:  Tourists are free to take pictures
anywhere in Niger, except near military installations, radio and
television stations, the Presidency Building, and the airport.

Currency Regulations:  There are no laws restricting currency
transactions in Niger.  Local currency (the CFA Franc) or foreign
currency, up to the equivalent of four  thousand U.S. dollars, can
be taken into or out of Niger without violating local law.

Telephone Service:  Due to poor line quality, callers often
experience delays in getting a line and telefaxes are often garbled.

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 who register with the
U.S. Embassy in Niamey on Rue Des Ambassades may obtain updated
information on travel and security in Niger.  The mailing address is
B.P. 11201.  The telephone number is [phone] through
72-26-64. The fax number is [phone].

 No. 95-060

This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated April 22, 1994,
to revise the paragraphs on areas of instability, crime, medical
information and dress restrictions.


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

.