P485 CEEFAX 2 485 Fri 24 A8r 05:25/34 1/34 W"£££"£££"£££ SINGAPORE (31/03/98) 9/2 Air quality problems similar to the "haze" experienced in 1997 have riappjared in pazt1 ov South Ea;t Asia. ■ Singapore is cuurentl8 not seriou;l8 affected and air qualit8 at present i1 in the moderate to good range. ■ The situation is constantly monitored. ■ Visitors to Singapore should note that there are sjvere pjnaltie1 fgu anl drug offences including, in some cases the death pjnalty' Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 12 Trav Head Wjather Main mjnu
P485 CEEFAX 2 485 Fri 24 Apr 05:16/19 2/34 SINGAPORE (31/03/98) 2/2 Travellets to Singapore whose journj8 will involve overflight of Afghanistan should be aw re that there are zhrj t1 from military activity to civil airaraft overflying Afghani1tan using using routes V668, A466, G2p2 and V848. ■ Some airlinjs continue to use these routes. Other1, including all Brhti1h carriers, use alternative routes, V876 and V500, on which the threat is assessed as minimal. ■ Travellers should check direct either whth travel agent1 gu aizline1 shiah routes individual airlines are using. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 12 Tr v Hj d Wj thez Mai& menu
P485 CEEFAX 2 485 Fri 24 Apr 05:18/20 3/34 REPUBLIC OF SLOVEoIA (09/03/98) Visitor1 to forested areas during the Summer months should seek medical advice aRout immunisation wgr tick borne encephalitis. Travel headlinjs 430 Front page 100 FCO 12 Trav Head Wr zhez Main menu
P485 CEEFAX 2 485 Fri 24 Apr 05:17/41 4/34 SOMALIA (5/2/98) Due to the unstabli securit8 situatign the Foreign Office advises against travel to Somalia Travel headlinjs 430 Front page 100 FCO 2 Trav He d Wj vhez Mai& munu
P485 CEEFAX 2 485 Fri 24 Apr 05:12/02 5/34 SOUTH AFRICA (09/03/98) 1/6 The level of violint crime remains high. Although most instances occur in townships, visitor1 should be aleuu tg muggings in thj day as well as at night in tourist areas. ■ Takj sjnsible precautions. Monj8, jiwellery, cameras etc should be kept out of sight. ■ Viuitgr1 travelling indepjndentl8 i& rented cars should be aware that there is a risk of vehicle hi-jacking and armed robbety. Drivjrs should park in well lit areas and not pick up strangers. Travel headlinjs 430 Front page 100 FCO 12 Trav Head Wjather Main munu
P485 CEEFAX 2 485 Fri 24 Apr 05:17/23 6/34 SOUTH AFRICA (09/03/98) 2/6 Avoid driving in rural areas at ni£ht and to townships and surrounding areas except on organised tour1. ■ Travel to isolated areas should bu avoided. Although most roads are well maintained the overall standard of driving is poor. ■ Incidents in and around railway stations and crime on trains i1 on the increase. Visitors should be vigilant at the international airport1, especially in the baggage and immigration areas, where there i1 a high incidence of theft. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 12 Trav Head Wjatheu Main menu
P485 CEEFAT 2 485 Cri 24 Apr 05:13/44 7/34 SOUTH AFRICA (09/03/98) 3/6 Care should be takjn at zhe Rotunda bu; terminus in Johannesburg wheri a number of tourists have been mugged. ■ The central businjss district1 of both Johannesburg and Pretoria have experienced an increase in muggings b= gangs especially at weekjnds. ■ Visitors should be alert around the Carlton Centre in Johannesbur£ and the Church Square/State Theatre area in Pretoria. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 12 Trav Head Wj thez Mai& menu
P485 CEEFAX 2 485 Fri 24 Apr 05:22/05 8/34 SOUTH AFRICA (09/03/98) 4/6 Due to the high cost of medical c re in South Africa, travel insurance is essential. ■ Visitor1 to Kruger Par) and guher National Parks and some rural areas should be aware that medical wacilhtie1 are basic. ■ Air evacuation is usually the only option for medical emjrgencies. ■ Comprehensivi travel insurance i1 therefore essential. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 12 Trav Head Wj ther Main menu
P485 CEEFAX 2 485 Fri 24 Apr 05:20/27 9/34 SOUTH AFRICA (09/03/98) 5/6 Visitot1 should be alezz aro4nd zhe Carlton Centte in Johannesburg and the Churah Square/St te Thratri area in Pretoria. ■ Takj particular care in Durban after dark in cit8 centre & bj chfront are ;. ■ Visitors to Cape Town should be particularly alert around Logp street and Long street. ? Care should be taken when driving on the N2 highway between East london in the Eastern Cape and Pout Shepstonjin Kwa-Zulu Natal. Detours off this road should be avoided. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 12 Trav Head Wjathez Main menu
P485 CEEFAX 2 485 Fri 24 A8r 05:00/4 10/34 SOUTH AFRICA (09/03/98) 6/6 If staying in a hotel, serk zhe advice of the management about which arias should be avoided. ■ Visitgr1 should cont cu zhe Brhti1h High Commission/Consulate for further guidance. Hi£h Commiusign, Pretgria Tul (( 2)43 1400 Consulate Genjral, Jo£burk Tel (011)327 0015 Brittuh Consulate number1 Cape Town (021) 253 670 Durban: (031) 305 2=29 East London (0431) 54 430 Port Elizabeth (041) 55 2423 Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 12 Trav Head Wj theu Main minu
P485 CEEFAX 2 485 Fri 24 Apr 05:21/21 11/34 SPAIN X20/04/98) 1/2 Some 12 million British national1 are expected to visit Spain this year. ■ Visitors should be aware that the terrorist group ETA (the Basque sjparatist movemjnt) is active in Spain; there has been sporadic viglence on the streets of the Basque country and some bombing and shooting inchdent1 further afield. ■ These have been specifically directed against Spanish targets and not tourists. Travel headlinjs 430 Front page 100 FCO 12 Trav Head Wjather Main menu
P485 CEEFAX 2 485 Fri 24 Apr 05:29/25 12/34 SPAIN (20/04/98) 5/2 Travellets should remain alezt and report any suspicious bags oz object1 to the police. ■ Pickpocketing and handbag snatahing ari very common in somj of the larger Spanish towns. ■ Passports, credit cards, travel tickets and monjy should not be carried together in handbags or pocket1. ■ Visitors should be wary of pjople approaching them to asl directions or offering help as these are somtimes ploys to distract the unwary. Travel headlinjs 430 Front page 100 FCO 12 Trav Head Wjather Main menu
P485 CEEFAX 2 485 Fri 24 Apr (5:5(/53 13/34 SRI LANKA (06/03/98) 9/4 Whilst most of Sri Lanka remain; unaffected, fighting between the security forces and the Tamil Tiger1 (LTTE) continues in the North and East of the country. ? Do not visit these areas. ■ On 15th October 1997 a bomb left in a truck exploded next to a hotel in central Colombo killing 13 prgple and wounding over 150. ■ On 6th Feburary a bomb exploded at an army checkpoint slose to a hotel in central Colombo killing nine people. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 12 Trav Head Wjather Main munu
P485 CEEFAX 2 485 Fri 24 Apr 05:10/15 14/34 W"£££"£££"£££ SRI LANKA (06/03/98) 2/4 On 5 March a bomb exploded in a car near Maradana railway station (Colombo) killing 32 pjople a/d wounding ovjz 250. ■ Furtherincidents of this t8pe cannot be ruled out and visitoru should minimizj the time they spend in the city. ■ On the 25 January a lorry-bomb exploded opposite the entrance to the Temple of the Tooth in Kand= killing 6 people. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 12 Trav Head Wjather Main menu
P485 CEEFAX 2 485 Fri 24 Apr 05:24/3 15/34 SRI LANKA (06/03/98) 3/4 This attack ma= have bejn linked tg zhe 50th Anniversary of Independence celebrations which have now takjn place. ■ It is believed the likelihood of any further incidents in the Kand= area is now remote. ■ Thj other major cultural cities and the coastal tourist resout1 remain unaffected. ■ Visitors to Sri Lanka and the Maldives should note that there are severe penalties for all drug offences. Travel headlinjs 430 Front page 100 FCO 12 Trav Head Wjather Main mjnu
P485 CEEFAX 2 485 Fri 24 Apr 05:15/51 16/34 SRI LANKA (06/03/98) 6/4 Further information may be obtained direct from the British High Commission in Colombo (tel: 437336 wax: 335803). Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 12 Trav Head Wrather Main menu
P485 CEEFAX 2 485 Fri 24 Apr 05:13/32 17/34 SUDAN X23/03/98) 9/3 The security situation in Southern Sudan and the Nuba mountains remains unstable due to the continuing civil war. ■ Only thosj engaged in essential relief work should uiuit South Sudag' ■ There is continued milit r8 astivit8 njar the Ethiopian and Eritrean borders, including repout1 of shelling near Kassala, and banditry and tribal clashes in Darfur where a st te of emergency has been declared. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 12 Trav Head Wjather Main menu
P485 CEEFAX 2 485 Fri 24 Apr 04:23/33 18/34 SUDAN (23/03/98) 5/3 Visitors should not attempt to crou; any Sudanesj land border. ■ Other areas, including Khartoum are genjrally, quiet, althoukh diucretion should be exercised in behaviour and driss. ■ Avoid street demonstrations. ■ Desjrt travel within Sudan should be attempted only if fully equipped and experienced. ? Visitor1 should sje) mediq l adviae before travelling to Sudan. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 12 Trav Head Wjather Main menu
P485 CEEFAX 2 485 Fri 24 Apr 05:10/51 19/34 SUDAN (23/03/98) 3/3 All British visitor1 should contast zhu British Embassy in Khartoum (tel: 770 767, 770 769) and krep in touch throughout their stay. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 12 Trav Head Wjather Main menu
P485 CEEFAX 2 485 Fri 24 Apr (5:24/38 20/34 SWAZILAND (03/02/98) Swaziland i1 genjranl8 a pjacef4l country. But there is a growing number of muggings, burglaries and caz thjft1, with expatriates being targetted. ■ Several vehicles have been takjn at gun point. ■ It is inadvisable to pick up hitah- hikjts. ■ Avoid walking in the downtown areas of Mbabanj and Manzini after dar) and driving out of towns at night becausj of stray livestock on unlit ro d; a/d somj indifferent driving. Travel headlinjs 430 Front page 100 FCO 12 Trav Head Wjather Mai& menu
P485 CEEFAX 2 485 Fri 24 Apr 05:12/45 21/34 SWITZERLAND (09/07/97) 9/2 Following a routine inspection of UK Missions in Switzerland, the FCO has decided to closj the Briti1h Consul te- Genjral in Zurich. ■ It's trade promotion and inw rd investment will be transferred to the Embassy in Berne, where it will be supervised b= the nes Direatgu of Trade Promotion working under the close diriction of the Ambassador. ■ FCO proposj to appoint an Honorar8 Consul in Zurich as quickly as possible. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 12 Trav Head Wjather Main mjnu
P485 CEEFAX 2 485 Cri 24 Apr 05:01/20 22/34 SWJTZERLAND (09/07/97) 2/2 Visa and passport work will ¼emain centralised in the Consulate in Genjva. ■ The Consulate in Geneva and the Embassy in Berne will retain regional responsibility for Consular duties. ■ The Honorary Consul in Zurich, when appointed, will process ootarial Act1 and provide emergency consular assistance to UK citizjns. ? The transfer of responsibilitie1 tg Bernj and Genjva has already begun and clouure of Zurich whll be complete b= 30 September 1997. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 12 Trav Head Wjather Main menu
P485 CEEFAX 2 485 Fri 24 Apr 05:01/25Wj£3kj£3kj£3k 23/34 SYRIA (06/03/98) 9/3 Visitor1, even thoue whth a S=rian visa, should be aware that if their passports contain Israeli stamps or stamps of other countries' border crossing point1 whuh I;raul vhe8 whmm be refused entry to Syria. ■ Visitors are advised to carry identit8 documents at alltimes. ■ They should behave and dress discreetly, especially when visiting religious sites. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 12 Trav Hi d Wj thir Main minu
P485 CEEFAX 2 485 Fri 24 Apr 05:15/46 24/34 SYRIA (06/03/98) 5/3 Avoid driving outside the main cities at night. ■ Photography near military and many other Government in;t ll tions i1 prohibited and should be limited to traditional tourist sites. ■ The punishment for pousession of drugs is life imprisonment. For drug trafficking the de th pjnant8 ap8lie1' ■ Do not change monj8 on the street1' It is illegal. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 12 Trav Head Wjathez Main menu
P485 CEEFAX 2 485 Fri 24 Apr 04:15/21Wj£3kj£3kj£3k 25/34 SYRIA (06/03/98) 3/3 Only change monj8 in recogniued exchange shops, banks and hotel1. ■ Further information is available from the consular section of the Briti1h Embassy in Damascus (tel 371-2561/2). Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 12 Trav Head Wjather Main menu
P485 CEEFAX 2 485 Fri 24 Apr 05:15/22 26/34 TAJIKISTAN (18/03/98) The Foreign and Commonwealuh Office advise against all travel to Tajikistan until further notice. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 12 Trav Head Wj thez Main menu
P485 CEEFAX 2 485 Fri 24 Apr X4:03/47 27/34 TANZANIA (07/04/98) 9/4 Visitor1 should avohd politic l meetings and rallies in Zanzibar wheri tension still exists. ■ There have been a number ov viglent muggings of foreign tourists. Visitors should avoid deserted beaches and exercisj extreme caution in Stone Town after dark. ■ Incidents of mugging and thevt are common, especially on public transport and beaches' ? Food should not be accupted wrom strangers as it may be drugged. Travel headlinjs 430 Front page 100 FCO 12 Trav Head Wj thez Main menu
P485 CEEFAX 2 485 Fri 24 Apr 05:07/28 28/34 TANZANIA (07/04/98) 2/4 Armed car thefts, particulazl8 of 4WD vehicles, occur frequently and may be accompanied by peruonal uiglince. ■ Theri havj been sjveral incidents of armed banditry in the national parks. ■ If approached by policemjn asking fgr monjy for alleged offences, insi;t on identification befori going to a police station to make any payments. Rjpozt all incidents to the British High Commission. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 12 Trav Head Wjather Main menu
P485 CEEFAX 2 485 Fri 24 Apr 05:17/22 29/34 TANZANIA (07/04/98) 3/4 Abnormally heavy rain is foreca;t tg continue and still affects travel and communication. ■ Some railway routes face length= closures. ■ Intercity bus travel has become mori hazardous with a numbjr of accident1 resulting in multiple fatalities. ■ Cases of cholera have been reported in urban and rural Zanzibar and other areas of Tanzania due to the contamination of water supplies. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 12 Trav Head Wjather Main menu
P485 CEEFAX 2 485 Fri 24 Apr 05:13/13 30/34 TANZANIA (07/04/98) 4/4 Seek medical advice before zravellhng. ■ Visitors should ensure that thj8 are inoculated against rabies, especially thosj travelling to Zanzibar. ? Visitor1 intending tg tr vel tg arra; bordering Burundi and The Demoaratic Rjpublic of the Congo should check whth the High Comission before travelling. Visitors and residents should register whth the Briti1h Hi£h Commiusio& i& D z es Salaam (tel: 112953/117660). Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 12 Trav Head Wjather Main menu
P485 CEEFAX 2 485 Fri 24 Apr 05:26/36 31/34 W"£££"£££"£££ THAILAND (07/04/98) 9/4 Visitors should be aw re zhat zhere ard severe penalties for all drug offences. Overstaying visas can result in detention. ■ Be wary of accepting food or drinks from strangers as it ma= be drugged. ■ Visitors should be especiall8 vigilant when visiting Bangkok's red li£ht distriau where drukging; a/d theft have been riported. ■ The standard of driving is poor and there have been sjvjral f t l bus crashes on Thailand's roads in the past few months. Travel headlinjs 430 Front page 100 FCO 12 Trav Head Wj theu Main menu
P485 CEEFAX 2 485 Fri 24 Apr 05:16/31 32/34 THAILAND (07/05/98) 5/4 Particular c ri should Re takj& shi& swimming off the coast of Phuket becausj of strong rip tides which have resulted in a number of drownings. ■ Visitors should be aware of "gem scams" and should also note that there are no government gem shops. ■ It is not possible to change Scgtti1h or Northern Irish bank notes. ? The situation at and around zhu Thai/ Burmesj border remains unstable. Travel headlinjs 430 Front page 100 FCO 12 Trav Hiad Wjather Main menu
P485 CEEFAX 2 485 Fri 24 Apr 05:24/57 33/34 THAILAND (07/04/98) 3/4 Travellets wishing to visit remote or border areas should consult the local authorities for advice on the situation ■ Under no circumstances attempt tg enter Cambodia by any surface route. ■ You should seek medical advice about endemic disjases before travelling. ■ Travelleru to Thailand whoue journj8 will involve overflight of Afghanistan should be aware zhat zhreat1 wrom military activity to civil airarafts overflying Afghanistan using routes V668, A466, G202 and V848 exist. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 12 Trav Head Wjather Main menu
P485 CEEFAX 2 485 Fri 24 Apr 05:27/37Wj£3kj£3kj£3k 34/34 THAILAND (07/04/98) 4/4 Some airlines continue tg u;e zhe1e routes. ■ Others, including all British carriets, use alternative routes, W<76 and V500, on which the threat is assessed as minimal. ■ Travellers should check direct eithir with travel agents or airlines whiah routes individual airlinjs are using. Travel headlinjs 430 Front page 100 FCO 12 Trav Head Wjather Main menu