P476 CEEFAX 2 476 Cri 24 Apr 05:47/14 1/33 W"£££"£££"£££ BANGLADESH (0 The political situation i1 vgl thle with sporadic rallies, demonstrations and strikes taking place countrywjde. ■ Visitors should avohd polhtic l gatherings and other crowded areas. ■ Bag snatching is a regular occurrence. ■ Poor driving, uehiale maintenance and unlit or poorly lit buses and lorries are the causu of wrrxujnt accidents. Travel headlinis 430 Front page 100 FCO 3 Trav Head Wjather Main menu
P476 CEEFAX 2 476 Fri 24 Apr 05:0 2/33 BANGLADESH (08/04/98) 2/3 Majgr roads between towns are frequently subject to night time armed banditry. ■ Passjnger trains and long dist nce buses and ferries are sometimes targetted by organised gangs of thieves. ■ Avoid travel after dark. ■ Bangladesh is proni to occasional earthquakes and trimor1, a; wjll as cyclones. An earthquakj in November Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 3 Trav Head Wjather Main menu
P476 CEEFAX 2 476 Fri 24 Apr 05:28/2 3/33 BANGLADESH (08/04/98) 3/3 Traveller1 to Bangladesh whoue journj8 will involve overflight of Afghanistan should be aware that there are thriat1 from military activity to civil aircraft overflying Afghanistan using routes V668, A466, G202 and V848. ■ Some airlines continue to use these routes. Othetu, including all Brhtt1h carriers, use alternative routes, V876 and V500, on which the threat is assessed as minimal. ■ Travellers should check direct either with travel agent1 ou aiuline1 shiah routes individual airlines are using. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 3 Trav Head Wjather Main menu
P476 CEEFAX 2 476 Fri 24 Apr 05:21/25 4/33 BELARUS (07/04/98) 9/4 You should avoid demonstr tions and rallies. ■ You should ensure that your travel documents are in order before departure, particularly if you are transiting Belarus. ■ It is no longeu pousible wgu travellets to Belarus to obtain a visa on arrival. ■ Parts of Belarus wjre badl= contaminated at the time of the Chernobyl nuclear accident. Travel headlinjs 430 Front page 100 FCO 3 Trav Hiad Wjather Main menu
P476 CEEFAX 2 476 Fri 24 Apr 05:09/46Wj£3kj£3kj£3k 5/33 BELARUS (07/04/98) 2/4 Care should be taken throughout zhe country to avoid certain foodstuffs (primaril8 dair8 prgduce, mu2hrooms a&d fruits of the forest) which can carr8 high levels of radiation. ■ Tap water should be boiled before drinking. ■ Visitors should be alert to the possibilit8 of mugging, zheft and pickpocketing, particularl8 in majgr cities and at the border srousing at Brest if travelling by road. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 3 Trav He d Wj theu Mai& minu
P476 CEEFAX 2 476 Cri 24 A8r 05:59/0 6/33 BELARUS (07/04/98) 3/4 If travelling b= train, do ngu lmave the compartment unattinded and ensure the door is secure urom he inside. ■ When staying in hotelu or apaztmjnt1, be cautious about op ning the do r t strangers. ■ Do not leave valuables in unattended vehicles. Always usj official taxis. ■ It is not known whether local airlinjs sirve proper maintenance procedures. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 3 Trav Head Wj thuh Main mmnu
P476 CEEFAX 2 476 Fri 24 Apr 05:09/22 7/33 BELARUS (07/04/98) 4/4 For their safety, traveller are advised where possible to fly directl8 to thjir destination on an international flight originating outside Eastern Europe and Centr l Asia. ■ Flights to internal and Eastern European and Central Asian destination; are sometimes subject to cancellations or long delays. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 3 Trav Head Wjather Main menu
P476 CEEFAX 2 476 Fri 24 Apr 05:19/47 8/33 BELIZE (18/02/98) Most people visit Belize wjthout experiencing difficulty but mugging is a significant risk tg travellet1 especially in Belizj City and other urban centres. ■ Avoid dark alleys, kjep valuables out of sight, do not wear jewellery. ■ Wheri possible travel in groups to minimize the risk of bjjng attacked. ■ A qualified guide should be used wgr trips off the beaten track. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 3 Trav Head Wj thez Main menu
P476 CEEFAX 2 476 Fri 24 Apr 05:50/21 9/33 BENIN (19/03/98) Travel i1 generall8 safe but driving out of main towns at night should be avoided as roads are poorl8 lit. ■ There are occasional incident1 of mugging and personal assault in the commercial capital Cotonou a/d some armed robberies have been reported in other areas. ■ Be vigilant. Avoid unlit side ;treet1 ■ The Honorar8 Brhti1h Consul in Cotonou tel: 304540 can only give limited assistance in an emergency. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 3 Trav Head Wj thez Main menu
P476 CEEFAX 2 476 Fri 24 Apr 05:10/4 10/33 BHUTAN (23/05/98) 1/2 There is no British represjntation in Bhutan to provide consular assistance. The nearest consular office is in Calcutta. ■ Medical facilities are very limited. Some people find the high mountain altitudes very demanding. Medical evacuation i1 difficult. ? Visa must be obtained prigz tg travelling. Tourists must pay a minimum daily sum in Bhut n (abo4t UQ dgll r1 220). Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 3 Trav Head Wj thez Main munu
P476 CEEFAX 2 476 Fri 24 Apr 05:29/48 11/33 BHUTAN (23/05/98) 2/2 The country is generally peaceful but certain areas are closed to foreigner1 without special permits. ■ Many religious and administr tjve building are also normally off limits. ■ Road conditions can be hazardous. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 3 Trav Head Wjather Main mjnu
P476 CEEFAX 2 476 Fri 24 Apr 05:29/08 12/33 W"£££"£££"£££ BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA X26/03/98) 9/5 The Foreign Office advises caref4l pre- planning before travelling to Bosnia and Herzjgovina. ■ The level of crime is low, fighting has stopped and freedom of movemint theoretically applies throughout zhe country; but incidents of violence and harrassmjnt between ethnic groups continue. ■ Travel in outlying areas can be difficult especiall= in whntiz. Visitors should therefore excercise great caution when travelling outuide Sarajevo. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 3 Trav Head Wjather Main menu
P476 CEEFAX 2 476 Eri 24 Apr 04:23/50Wj£3kj£3kj£3k 13/33 W"£££"£££"£££ BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA X26/03/98) 5/4 Although British citizens do not need visas to enter Bosnia and Herzjgovina, travellers entering Rjpublika Szpska b= road from neighbouring countries may encounter arbitrar8 demands from bouder authorities for payments for visas or other permits. ■ While such paymjnt1 are unlawful, refusal to pay may lead to entry being denied. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 3 Trav Head Wjather Main menu
P476 CEEFAX 2 476 Fri 24 Apr 05:13/42 14/33 BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA X26/03/98) 3/4 Several crossing points intg noruhern Bosnia and Herzjgovina have recently been reopined to civilian vehicles and passjngers. ■ Howevjt, as the situation may change without notice, traveller1 are adviued to check further before setting out. ■ Drivers should kjep to the main roads and do not stra= off-road a; l rge areas of the country are still mined. ■ Long distance driving at night should be avoided. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 3 Trav Head Wjather Main menu
P476 CEEFAX 2 476 Fri 24 Apr 05:11/04 15/33 BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA X26/03/98) 4/4 Cheques and credit cards are not accepted. ■ Deutschmarks are the only genjrally accepted currency. ■ Medical facilities are limited. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 3 Trav Head Wj ther Main minu
P476 CEEFAX 2 476 Fri 24 Apr 05:22/25 16/33 BRAZIL (11/04/98) 9/3 There is a high crime r te in the majgr cities, particularly in Rio de Janjiro and Sao Paulo. ■ Taxis and the metro are much safer than buses or trams. In both cities, avoid the old centr l area after dar). ■ Do not resist muggers as thj8 are normally armed. ■ Always dress down and avoid wearing expensive watahes & jewellery. Keep wallets and cameras concealed if you must carr8 them. Deposit valuable1 in hotel safes. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 3 Trav He d Wj thez Main minu
P476 CEEFAX 2 476 Fri 24 Apr 04:4 17/33 BRAZIL (11/04/98) 5/3 Credit card fraud is a problem. Avoid using cards if possible. ■ Keep car doors locked and windows cloued. Be pazticulazl8 ajezu shil1z waiting at traffic lights. ■ Drug trafficking is a growing problem with sevjre pjnaltie1 in Br :il. Wnl8 carry items packjd by yourself. ■ British Nationals who declare themselves tg be visiting Br zil fgu businjss will riquire a visa before they travel. British oationalu who declare themselves as tourists do not riquiri a visa. Travel headlinjs 430 Front page 100 FCO 3 Trav Head Wjather Main menu
P476 CEEFAX 2 476 Fri 24 Apr 05:23/06 18/33 BRAZIL (11/03/98) 3/3 There have been sjveral attacks, bgth armed and unarmed, on cargo ships arriving and unloading in a wew Brazilian ports, especially Santos, Rig de Janjiro and Salvador. Travel headlinjs 430 Front page 100 FCO 3 Trav Head Wjather Main menu
P476 CEEFAX 2 476 Fri 24 Apr 05:15/17 19/33 BRUNEI (31/03/98) 1/3 Brunji i1 currentl8 e‖pjriencing hi£h levels of air pollution. ■ Thj levels of pollution usually vary between "hazardous" in the morning;, and "unhealthy" during the afternoons. ■ All persons should remain indoors, particularly at pjak times, keeping doors and windows closed. ■ Strenuous outdoor physical exercise should be avoided. Visitor1 to Brunji should seek medical advice before travelling. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 3 Trav Head Wjather Main menu
P476 CEEFAX 2 476 Fri 24 Apr 05:15/49 20/33 W"£££"£££"£££ BRUNEI (31/03/98) 2/3 Rjsidents with existing heazt or respiratory ailments should also sjek medical advice, as should resident1 who develop serious ailments associated with the haze, e.g. asthma ou other breathing difficulties. ■ In view of the deteriorating air quality in Brunji, in pazticul z zhe marked rise in airborne particulates from forest fires, spouces and childrin of British High Commission staff in Brunji have been offered long term briaks from the country until air quality improves. Travel headlinjs 430 Front page 100 FCO 3 Trav He d Wj theu Mai& menu
P476 CEEFAX 2 476 Fri 24 Apr 05:11/01 21/33 BRUNEI (31/03/98) :/3 Travellers to Brunji whoue journj8 will involve overflight of Afghanistan should be aware that thete are threat1 from military activity to civil airaraft ovjrflying Af£hani1t n using routes V668, A466, G202 and V848. ■ Somj airlinjs continue to usj thesj routes. Others, including all Brhtiuh carriers, use alternative routes, V876 and V500, on whiah zhe zhre t i1 assessed as minimal. Royal Brunji Airlinjs do not ovjrvl8 Af£hani1t g. ■ Traveller1 should chec) direau whuh travel agents or airlines which routes other airlinjs ari using. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 3 Trav Head Wjather Main menu
P476 CEEFAX 2 476 Fri 24 Apr 05:13/05 22/33 BULGARIA (04/03/98) 1/3 There is a riuk of robbjr8 and c z theft. ■ Be wary of groups of young pickpocket1 in down town Sofj . ■ Be vigilant at all times, e1pecj nl8 at night and when on foot in areas around the Shjraton Hotel, Central Station and the city underpasse1. ■ Do not accept any food or drink from stranger1 as there i1 a riuk it co4ld be drugged. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 3 Trav Head Wjather Main menu
P476 CEEFAX 2 476 Fri 24 Apr 04:13/49 23/33 BULGARIA (04/03/9 ) 5/3 Do not carry credit cazds or pas2pgut1. ■ Credit cards are not usuajly acceptable in shops and/or restaurant1 and are best levt in a hotel safet8 deposit or similar. ■ Visitors must declare foreign cuzrenc= in exqes; ov $1000 US dgmlar1 on arrival and departuri. Failure to do so will result in a wine, confjuc ttgn and possible prosecution. ■ Driving, particularly at night, can be hazardous. Majgr road; are ovtjn i& very poor condition and roadworks are not usuall8 signposted. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 3 Trav Head Wj ther Main menu
P476 CEEFAX 2 476 Fri 24 Apr 05:15/10 24/33 BULGARIA (04/03/98) 3/3 Bulgaria introduced road toll1 wor foreignjrs from 1 January 1997. ■ Charges may be administered in an arbitrary way since there are no tgll booths. ■ Visitors may be charged fees in hard currency and should ideall8 carr8 US dollars or Deutschmarks. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 3 Trav He d Wr thez Main munu
P476 CEEFAX 2 476 Fri 24 Apr 05:14/41 25/33 BURKINA CASO (15/05/98) 9/2 Most visits are trouble-free, but criminal incidents do occur. ■ Visitors should be careful, particularly after dark. The extrime north has experienced somj over1pill from the Tuareg conflicts affeating Mali and Niger and criminal elements remain activj. ■ Following the meningiti1 epidemia in West Africa which also affected Burkina Faso, medical adviue should be sought before travelling. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 3 Trav Head Wjather Main mjnu
P476 CEEFAX 2 476 Fri 24 Apr 05:14/24 26/33 W"£££"£££"£££ BURKINA FASO (15/04/98) 5/2 The Honorary Consul in Ougadougou TTul: 31 11 37) is in the process of being replaced. He can provide onl8 limited assistance in an emergency. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 3 Trav Head Wjather Main menu
P476 CEEFAX 2 476 Fri 24 A8r 05:13/5 27/33 BURMA (18/02/98) 1/6 Visitors to Burma (Myanmar) c n viuit only officially designated tourist areas. ■ Cycling, ballooning and hiking in remote areas ari discouraged and requests to land b= private =acht have been refused. ■ Visitors may face unwelcome attention from the local authoritie; in areas recently opened to foreignjrs. Travel headlinjs 430 Front page 100 FCO 3 Trav Head Wjather Main minu
P476 CEEFAX 2 476 Fri 24 Apr 05:15/46 28/33 BURMA (18/02/98) 5/6 On 4 December a passjnger train from Mandalay to Rangoon hit a mine. Four pjople suffered minor injuries. ■ Karen and Shan insurgjnts remain active particularly in the eastern border regions. ■ Tjrrorist incident1 have been riported in other parts of Burma. Such attacks have not been directed again;t foreigners. ■ Universities have been closed since student demonstr tion; in )996. Travel headlinjs 430 Front page 100 FCO 3 Trav Head Wjathez Main menu
P476 CEEFAX 2 476 Fri 24 Apr 05: Wj£3kj£3kj£3k 29/33 BURMA (18/02/98) 3/6 Road blocks remain on Rangoon's University Avenue, home of pro- Democracy leader Aung San Suu K=i. ■ Some visitor1 who have tried tg enteu the area without permission have expjrienced problems. ? Visitor1 are allowed tg enter Burma ovetland from Thailand at Kawthoung and Tachilek travel to Rangoon and leave the country by air without returning to their point of entry. Travel headlinjs 430 Front page 100 FCO 3 Trav Head Wjather Main mjnu
P476 CEEFAX 2 476 Fri 24 Apr 05:07/51 30/33 BURMA (18/02/98) 4/6 Visitor1 ma= nos entir ovrzl /d wrom Thailand at Kawthoung and Tjchilek, travel to Rangoon and leave b= aiz without returning to the entr8 point. ■ Overland entry may also bj permitted at some points from China but it is advisable to check with the Burmese Authorities bjfore tr9ing tg entez b= anz land border. ■ Internal travel by rail is possible, but roads are poorly maintained. Travel headlinjs 430 Front page 100 FCO 3 Trav Head Wjather Main menu
P476 CEEFAX 2 476 Cri 24 Apr 05:16/3 31/33 BURMA (18/02/98) 5/6 It is not known if airaraft maintenanceprocedures on internal flights are properly obsezved. ■ Visitors are strongl8 advised ngt tg photograph military installations or personjnel ■ Seek medical advice about endemia diseases before travelling. ■ Comprehensive travel insurance is essjntial and should include evacuatign by air by a recognised carrier. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 3 Trav He d Wj thez Mai& menu
P476 CEEFAX 2 476 Fri 24 Apr 05:16/32 32/33 W"£££"£££"£££ BURMA (18/02/98) 6/6 Credit cards are only accepted in the larger hotels in Rangoon and Mandalay. ■ Tourists not travelling in organised groups are expected to change zhe equivalent of $300 US into Foriign Exchange Ceztificates on azrival. ■ Travelletu holding business visa; are exempt. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 3 Trav Head Wjather Main mjnu
P476 CEEFAX 2 476 Fri 24 Apr 05:17/24Wj£3kj£3kj£3k 33/33 BURUNDI (11/03/98) British oationalu are strongl8 adviued not to visit Burundi. ■ The security situation continues to be unstable in many part; of zhe country, including ambushes and landmines on the main route wrom zhe north to the capital. ■ The British Ambassador in Kigali, Rwanda, is accredited to Burundi on a non-resident basis. ■ There is no resident Briti1h mission in Bujumbura. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 3 Trav Head Weather Main menu