From 76702.1202@compuserve.com Tue Feb 27 23:35:54 1996 From: Wally Doerge <76702.1202@compuserve.com> Subject: NEW TRAVEL INFO -- United Kingdom Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories Date: Tue, 20 Feb 1996 20:17:08 GMT Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die Xref: world wstd.travel.advisories:960 Path: world!root Message-ID: <960220201707_76702.1202_CHN65-1@CompuServe.COM> Precedence: bulk Sender: root@world.std.com (daemons) Distribution: wstd Approved: usenet@world.std.com Lines: 87 STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - United Kingdom ============================================================ Consular Information Sheet February 16, 1996 Country Description: The United Kingdom is a highly developed nation with a modern economy. Entry Requirements: A passport is required. Tourists are not required to obtain a visa for stays of up to six months. For further information concerning entry requirements, travelers can contact the Consular Section of the Embassy of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland at 19 Observatory Circle, Washington, D.C. 20008, tel: 202-986-0205, or the nearest consulate in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco or Seattle. Medical Facilities: Good medical care is widely available. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health care services. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. In some cases, supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage has proved useful. Further information on health matters can be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's international travelers' hotline on (404) 332-4559. Crime Information: The incidence of criminal activity is generally low, though many major cities have areas where caution should be exercised. Visitors generally lock vehicles and guard their personal possessions. As in any developed country, there are higher incidents of criminal activity in urban areas. Incidents of violent crimes such as murder, armed robbery, and rape are minimal. Firearms are strictly controlled, making weapons-related offenses far less frequent than in large U.S. metropolitan areas. Large cities in England do have areas where the level of crime is significant. The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Useful information on guarding valuables and protecting personal security while traveling abroad is provided in the pamphlet "A Safe Trip Abroad," which is 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, and dealing in illegal drugs are strict, and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and fines. Terrorist Activities: The United Kingdom is a stable, modern democracy. Political demonstrations are generally orderly and well policed. There is, however, a history of terrorist violence related to the political situation in Northern Ireland, a part of the United Kingdom. A bombing in early 1996 in London by the Provisional Irish Republican Army (PIRA) and their February 1996 announcement of the end of a 17-month ceasefire means the threat of terrorist violence in Northern Ireland, London and elsewhere within the United Kingdom again exists. Although U.S. citizens are not specifically targeted, there have been some who have been injured. Registration and Embassy/Consulate Location: U.S. citizens who register at the Consular Section of a U.S. Embassy or Consulate can obtain updated information on travel and security in the United Kingdom. The U.S. Embassy in London is at 24/31 Grosvenor Square, tel: (44)(171) 499-9000. U.S. Consulates are in Belfast, Northern Ireland, at Queen's House, 14 Queen Street, tel: (44)(1232) 328239 and in Edinburgh, Scotland at 3 Regent Terrace, tel: (44)(131) 556-8315. The Consulate in Edinburgh provides only emergency American citizen services. No. 96-035 This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated April 5, 1995, to reflect an update on the increased threat of terrorist activity, and to include that the U.S. Consulate in Edinburgh provides only emergency American citizen services. ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- The "travel-advisories@stolaf.edu" 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: travel-advisories-request@stolaf.edu 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 From owner-travel-advisories@stolaf.edu Mon Mar 24 00:33:43 1997 From: owner-travel-advisories Subject: NEW TRAVEL INFO -- United Kingdom Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories Date: Tue, 11 Mar 1997 13:43:59 GMT Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die Xref: world wstd.travel.advisories:1274 Path: world!bzs Message-ID: <970311134358_76702.1202_CHN34-1@CompuServe.COM> Precedence: bulk Sender: bzs@world.std.com (daemons) Distribution: wstd Approved: usenet@world.std.com Lines: 119 STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - United Kingdom and Gibraltar ============================================================ United Kingdom and Gibraltar - Consular Information Sheet March 10, 1997 Country Description: The United Kingdom is a highly developed constitutional monarchy; Gibraltar is a British dependent territory. Entry Requirements: A passport is required. Tourists are not required to obtain a visa for stays of up to six months in the United Kingdom or to enter Gibraltar. Those wishing to remain longer than one month in Gibraltar should regularize their stay with Gibraltar Immigration authorities. Persons traveling overland between Gibraltar and Spain may experience delays at the border. For further information concerning entry requirements, travelers can contact the Consular Section of the Embassy of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland at 19 Observatory Circle, Washington, D.C. 20008, tel. 202-986-0205, or the nearest consulate in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco or Seattle. Medical Facilities: Good medical care is widely available. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health care services. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. In some cases, supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage has proved useful. Further information on health matters can be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's international travelers hotline on (404) 332-4559 or by visiting CDC's Internet home page at http://www.cdc.gov. Crime Information: The United Kingdom and Gibraltar benefit from generally low crime rates, and incidents of violent crime are minimal. Incidents of pickpocketing and theft of unattended bags are common in urban areas, however, and thieves sometimes target unattended cars at tourist sites. American visitors should take steps to ensure the safety of their U.S. passports. Visitors in the United Kingdom are not expected to produce their passports for police checks or other purposes, and thus may store their passports in hotels or residences. In Northern Ireland, however, passports or similar photograph identification should be carried at all times. The need to carry a passport to cash travelers checks is also minimized by an abundance of United Kingdom and Gibraltar ATM machines able to access systems widely used in the U.S. The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Useful information on guarding valuables and protecting personal security while traveling abroad is provided in the pamphlet "A Safe Trip Abroad," which is 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 possessing, using, and dealing in illegal drugs in both the United Kingdom and Gibraltar are strict, and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and fines. Terrorist Activities: The United Kingdom is a stable, modern democracy. Political demonstrations are generally orderly and well policed. There is, however, a history of terrorist violence related to the political situation in Northern Ireland, a part of the United Kingdom, and several such incidents occurred in British cities in 1996. Although U.S. citizens have not been specifically targeted, some have been injured. There was widespread civil unrest throughout Northern Ireland during the annual Orange Order marches of July/August 1996. Some U.S. citizens traveling in Northern Ireland at the time had to seek alternate routes to their destinations when roads were blocked by protestors. No Americans were injured. Road Safety: Roads in the United Kingdom are excellent, but often congested in urban areas. Penalties for drunk driving are stiff. Visitors uncomfortable with the prospect of left-sided driving may wish to avail themselves of extensive rail and air transport networks. By the same token, pedestrians should look both ways prior to stepping off curbs, as the flow of traffic is from the opposite direction. Within the past two years there have been at least three deaths of American tourists who stepped in front of buses. In the past year there have also been several incidents of "road rage", resulting in at least two deaths of motorists. While these incidents are rare, those renting cars should be aware of them and maintain a low profile while driving in order not to irritate other drivers. The phone numbers for police/fire/ambulance emergency services: The equivalent of "911" in the U.S. is "999" in the United Kingdom and "112" in Gibraltar. Registration and Embassy/Consulate Location: U.S. citizens are encouraged to register at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy or a U.S. Consulate and obtain updated information on travel and security in the United Kingdom. The U.S. Embassy in London is at 24/31 Grosvenor Square, tel. (44)(171) 499-9000. U.S. Consulates are in Belfast, Northern Ireland, at Queen's House, 14 Queen Street, tel. (44)(1232) 328239 and in Edinburgh, Scotland, at 3 Regent Terrace, tel. (44)(131) 556-8315. The U.S. Consulate in Edinburgh provides only emergency American citizen services. No. 97-045 This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated February 16, 1996, to include information on Gibraltar, road safety, crime and Internet addresses. ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- The "travel-advisories@stolaf.edu" 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: travel-advisories-request@stolaf.edu 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 From owner-travel-advisories@stolaf.edu Thu Jul 17 12:08:15 1997 From: owner-travel-advisories Subject: NEW TRAVEL INFO -- United Kingdom Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories Date: Thu, 10 Jul 1997 13:33:03 GMT Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die Xref: world wstd.travel.advisories:1396 Path: world!bzs Message-ID: <970710133303_76702.1202_CHN62-1@CompuServe.COM> Precedence: bulk Sender: bzs@world.std.com (daemons) Distribution: wstd Approved: usenet@world.std.com Lines: 159 STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - United Kingdom ============================================================ Northern Ireland - Public Announcement July 9, 1997 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesman The Department of State urges all Americans in Northern Ireland to exercise caution, due to ongoing civil unrest related to the controversial annual marches by Protestants through some Catholic neighborhoods. During the week of July 6 there have been violent incidents in Belfast, Londonderry, Newry, Portadown, Armagh and other locations. The violence has included gunshot attacks on police, the throwing of petrol bombs and rocks, hijacking and burning of vehicles, and one incident in which a passenger train was hijacked and set alight. Some injuries have resulted. American citizens are not a target of these protests, but they have at times had to seek alternate routes to their destinations. There is a strong possibility that some level of civil unrest will continue through mid July, as the marching season culminates on July 12, when Protestant marches are scheduled throughout Northern Ireland. A further potentially contentious date is August 9, when the apprentice boys of Derry have applied to hold their traditional march on the walls of the city. The U.S. Consulate General in Belfast advises all Americans in Northern Ireland to exercise increased caution during this period. American citizens may contact the U.S. Consulate General at telephone (011-44)1232-328-239, or the U.S. Embassy in London at (011-171)499-9000. The Royal Ulster Constabulary public information number is (011-44)1232-574000. For further information on travel to Northern Ireland, consult the latest Department of State Consular Information Sheet on the United Kingdom. This Public Announcement expires August 31, 1997. United Kingdom and Gibraltar - Consular Information Sheet March 10, 1997 Country Description: The United Kingdom is a highly developed constitutional monarchy; Gibraltar is a British dependent territory. Entry Requirements: A passport is required. Tourists are not required to obtain a visa for stays of up to six months in the United Kingdom or to enter Gibraltar. Those wishing to remain longer than one month in Gibraltar should regularize their stay with Gibraltar Immigration authorities. Persons traveling overland between Gibraltar and Spain may experience delays at the border. For further information concerning entry requirements, travelers can contact the Consular Section of the Embassy of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland at 19 Observatory Circle, Washington, D.C. 20008, tel. 202-986-0205, or the nearest consulate in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco or Seattle. Medical Facilities: Good medical care is widely available. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health care services. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. In some cases, supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage has proved useful. Further information on health matters can be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's international travelers hotline on (404) 332-4559 or by visiting CDC's Internet home page at http://www.cdc.gov. Crime Information: The United Kingdom and Gibraltar benefit from generally low crime rates, and incidents of violent crime are minimal. Incidents of pickpocketing and theft of unattended bags are common in urban areas, however, and thieves sometimes target unattended cars at tourist sites. American visitors should take steps to ensure the safety of their U.S. passports. Visitors in the United Kingdom are not expected to produce their passports for police checks or other purposes, and thus may store their passports in hotels or residences. In Northern Ireland, however, passports or similar photograph identification should be carried at all times. The need to carry a passport to cash travelers checks is also minimized by an abundance of United Kingdom and Gibraltar ATM machines able to access systems widely used in the U.S. The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Useful information on guarding valuables and protecting personal security while traveling abroad is provided in the pamphlet "A Safe Trip Abroad," which is 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 possessing, using, and dealing in illegal drugs in both the United Kingdom and Gibraltar are strict, and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and fines. Terrorist Activities: The United Kingdom is a stable, modern democracy. Political demonstrations are generally orderly and well policed. There is, however, a history of terrorist violence related to the political situation in Northern Ireland, a part of the United Kingdom, and several such incidents occurred in British cities in 1996. Although U.S. citizens have not been specifically targeted, some have been injured. There was widespread civil unrest throughout Northern Ireland during the annual Orange Order marches of July/August 1996. Some U.S. citizens traveling in Northern Ireland at the time had to seek alternate routes to their destinations when roads were blocked by protestors. No Americans were injured. Road Safety: Roads in the United Kingdom are excellent, but often congested in urban areas. Penalties for drunk driving are stiff. Visitors uncomfortable with the prospect of left-sided driving may wish to avail themselves of extensive rail and air transport networks. By the same token, pedestrians should look both ways prior to stepping off curbs, as the flow of traffic is from the opposite direction. Within the past two years there have been at least three deaths of American tourists who stepped in front of buses. In the past year there have also been several incidents of "road rage", resulting in at least two deaths of motorists. While these incidents are rare, those renting cars should be aware of them and maintain a low profile while driving in order not to irritate other drivers. The phone numbers for police/fire/ambulance emergency services: The equivalent of "911" in the U.S. is "999" in the United Kingdom and "112" in Gibraltar. Registration and Embassy/Consulate Location: U.S. citizens are encouraged to register at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy or a U.S. Consulate and obtain updated information on travel and security in the United Kingdom. The U.S. Embassy in London is at 24/31 Grosvenor Square, tel. (44)(171) 499-9000. U.S. Consulates are in Belfast, Northern Ireland, at Queen's House, 14 Queen Street, tel. (44)(1232) 328239 and in Edinburgh, Scotland, at 3 Regent Terrace, tel. (44)(131) 556-8315. The U.S. Consulate in Edinburgh provides only emergency American citizen services. No. 97-045 This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated February 16, 1996, to include information on Gibraltar, road safety, crime and Internet addresses. ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- The "travel-advisories@stolaf.edu" 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: travel-advisories-request@stolaf.edu 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 From owner-travel-advisories@stolaf.edu Thu Sep 11 17:33:46 1997 From: owner-travel-advisories Subject: UNited Kingdom Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories Date: Tue, 2 Sep 1997 14:02:17 GMT Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die Xref: world wstd.travel.advisories:1457 Path: world!bzs Message-ID: <970902140216_76702.1202_CHN53-1@CompuServe.COM> Precedence: bulk Sender: bzs@world.std.com (daemons) Distribution: wstd Approved: usenet@world.std.com Lines: 119 STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - United Kingdom and Gibraltar ============================================================ United Kingdom and Gibraltar - Consular Information Sheet March 10, 1997 Country Description: The United Kingdom is a highly developed constitutional monarchy; Gibraltar is a British dependent territory. Entry Requirements: A passport is required. Tourists are not required to obtain a visa for stays of up to six months in the United Kingdom or to enter Gibraltar. Those wishing to remain longer than one month in Gibraltar should regularize their stay with Gibraltar Immigration authorities. Persons traveling overland between Gibraltar and Spain may experience delays at the border. For further information concerning entry requirements, travelers can contact the Consular Section of the Embassy of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland at 19 Observatory Circle, Washington, D.C. 20008, tel. 202-986-0205, or the nearest consulate in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco or Seattle. Medical Facilities: Good medical care is widely available. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health care services. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. In some cases, supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage has proved useful. Further information on health matters can be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's international travelers hotline on (404) 332-4559 or by visiting CDC's Internet home page at http://www.cdc.gov. Crime Information: The United Kingdom and Gibraltar benefit from generally low crime rates, and incidents of violent crime are minimal. Incidents of pickpocketing and theft of unattended bags are common in urban areas, however, and thieves sometimes target unattended cars at tourist sites. American visitors should take steps to ensure the safety of their U.S. passports. Visitors in the United Kingdom are not expected to produce their passports for police checks or other purposes, and thus may store their passports in hotels or residences. In Northern Ireland, however, passports or similar photograph identification should be carried at all times. The need to carry a passport to cash travelers checks is also minimized by an abundance of United Kingdom and Gibraltar ATM machines able to access systems widely used in the U.S. The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Useful information on guarding valuables and protecting personal security while traveling abroad is provided in the pamphlet "A Safe Trip Abroad," which is 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 possessing, using, and dealing in illegal drugs in both the United Kingdom and Gibraltar are strict, and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and fines. Terrorist Activities: The United Kingdom is a stable, modern democracy. Political demonstrations are generally orderly and well policed. There is, however, a history of terrorist violence related to the political situation in Northern Ireland, a part of the United Kingdom, and several such incidents occurred in British cities in 1996. Although U.S. citizens have not been specifically targeted, some have been injured. There was widespread civil unrest throughout Northern Ireland during the annual Orange Order marches of July/August 1996. Some U.S. citizens traveling in Northern Ireland at the time had to seek alternate routes to their destinations when roads were blocked by protestors. No Americans were injured. Road Safety: Roads in the United Kingdom are excellent, but often congested in urban areas. Penalties for drunk driving are stiff. Visitors uncomfortable with the prospect of left-sided driving may wish to avail themselves of extensive rail and air transport networks. By the same token, pedestrians should look both ways prior to stepping off curbs, as the flow of traffic is from the opposite direction. Within the past two years there have been at least three deaths of American tourists who stepped in front of buses. In the past year there have also been several incidents of "road rage", resulting in at least two deaths of motorists. While these incidents are rare, those renting cars should be aware of them and maintain a low profile while driving in order not to irritate other drivers. The phone numbers for police/fire/ambulance emergency services: The equivalent of "911" in the U.S. is "999" in the United Kingdom and "112" in Gibraltar. Registration and Embassy/Consulate Location: U.S. citizens are encouraged to register at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy or a U.S. Consulate and obtain updated information on travel and security in the United Kingdom. The U.S. Embassy in London is at 24/31 Grosvenor Square, tel. (44)(171) 499-9000. U.S. Consulates are in Belfast, Northern Ireland, at Queen's House, 14 Queen Street, tel. (44)(1232) 328239 and in Edinburgh, Scotland, at 3 Regent Terrace, tel. (44)(131) 556-8315. The U.S. Consulate in Edinburgh provides only emergency American citizen services. No. 97-045 This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated February 16, 1996, to include information on Gibraltar, road safety, crime and Internet addresses. ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- The "travel-advisories@stolaf.edu" 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: travel-advisories-request@stolaf.edu 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 From owner-travel-advisories@stolaf.edu Mon Apr 13 00:13:31 1998 From: owner-travel-advisories Subject: NEW TRAVEL INFO -- United Kingdom Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories Date: Mon, 6 Apr 1998 18:27:34 GMT Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die Xref: world wstd.travel.advisories:1676 Path: world!bzs Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Message-ID: <199804061431_MC2-391F-A981@compuserve.com> Content-Disposition: inline Precedence: bulk Sender: "U.S. Department of State" <76702.1202@compuserve.com> Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Mime-Version: 1.0 Distribution: wstd Approved: usenet@world.std.com Lines: 132 STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - United Kingdom ============================================================ United Kingdom - Consular Information Sheet April 3, 1998 Country Description: The United Kingdom is a highly developed constitutional monarchy; Gibraltar is a British dependent territory. Entry Requirements: A passport is required. Tourists are not required to obtain a visa for stays up to six months in the United Kingdom nor to enter Gibraltar. Those wishing to remain longer than one month in Gibraltar should regularize their stay with Gibraltar Immigration authorities. Persons traveling overland between Gibraltar and Spain may experience delays at the border. For further information concerning entry requirements, travelers can contact the Consular Section of the Embassy of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland at 19 Observatory Circle, Washington, D.C. 20008, telephone 202-986-0205, or the nearest consulate of the United Kingdom in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, or Seattle. Medical Facilities: Good medical services are widely available, but free care under the National Health System is allowed only to residents. Visitors can expect charges roughly comparable to those assessed in the United States. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health care services. Medicare does not pay for treatment of any kind outside the U. S., and medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. Supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage has proven useful, even for those with regular insurance plans. Further information on health matters can be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) international travelers hotline at 1-888-232-3228, from their autofax service at 1-888-232-3229, or via their Internet home page at http://www.cdc.gov. Crime Information: The United Kingdom and Gibraltar benefit from generally low crime rates, and incidents of violent crime are minimal. Incidents of pickpocketing and theft of unattended bags are common in urban areas, however, and thieves sometimes target unattended cars at tourist sites. American visitors should take steps to ensure the safety of their U.S. passports. Visitors in the United Kingdom are not expected to produce their passports for police checks or other purposes, and thus may store their passports in hotels or residences. In Northern Ireland, however, passports or similar photograph identification should be carried at all times. The need to carry a passport to cash travelers checks is also minimized by an abundance of United Kingdom and Gibraltar ATM machines able to access systems widely used in the U.S. The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Useful information on guarding valuables and protecting personal security while traveling abroad is provided in the pamphlet "A Safe Trip Abroad," which is 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 possessing, using, and dealing in illegal drugs in both the United Kingdom and Gibraltar are strict, and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and fines. Terrorist Activities: The United Kingdom is a stable, modern democracy. Political demonstrations are generally orderly and well policed. There is, however, a history of terrorist violence related to the political situation in Northern Ireland, a part of the United Kingdom, and numerous such incidents have occurred throughout England and Northern Ireland. Although the main paramilitary groups are on cease-fire, there continue to be acts of terrorist violence by dissident groups. U.S. citizens have not been specifically targeted, but some have been injured when caught up in disturbances. In recent years there has been widespread civil unrest throughout Northern Ireland during the summer marching season. As a result, American citizens traveling in Northern Ireland have experienced delays and disruption in their travel. Some degree of civil unrest is expected to continue for the foreseeable future. Road Safety: Roads in the United Kingdom are excellent, but often congested in urban areas. Penalities for drunk driving are stiff. Visitors uncomfortable with the prospect of left-sided driving may wish to avail themselves of extensive rail and air transport networks. By the same token, pedestrians should look both ways prior to stepping off curbs, as the flow of traffic is from the opposite direction. The phone numbers for police/fire/ambulance emergency services--the equivalent of "911" in the U.S.--is 999 in the United Kingdom and 112 in Gibraltar. Aviation Safety Oversight: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of Great Britain's civil aviation authority as Category 1 -- in compliance with international aviation safety standards for oversight of Great Britain's air carrier operations. For further information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation within the U.S. at telephone 1-800-322-7873, or visit the FAA's internet website at http://www.faa.gov/avr/iasa.htm. The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) separately assesses some foreign air carriers for suitability as official providers of air services. For information regarding the DOD policy of specific carriers, travelers may contact the Pentagon at telephone 1-703-697-7288. Embassy/Consulate Location/Registration: U.S. citizens are encouraged to register at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy or at a U.S. Consulate and obtain updated information on travel and security in the United Kingdom. The U.S. Embassy in London is located at 24/31 Grosvenor Square, telephone (44) (171) 499-9000. U.S. Consulates are located in Belfast, Northern Ireland, at Queen's House, 14 Queen Street, telephone (44) (1232) 328239 and in Edinburgh, Scotland, at 3 Regent Terrace, telephone (44) (131) 556-8315. The U.S. Consulate in Edinburgh provides only emergency American citizens services. No. 98-32 This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated March 10, 1997, to include information on travel insurance, the present security situation and the FAA aviation assessment. ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- The "travel-advisories@stolaf.edu" 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: travel-advisories-request@stolaf.edu 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 From U09885@UICVM.UIC.EDU Fri Jun 18 12:17:24 1999 From: "U.S. Dept of State Listserver" Subject: DOSTRAVEL United Kingdom & Gilbraltar 06/15/99 Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories Date: Wed, 16 Jun 1999 22:59:35 GMT Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die Reply-To: "U.S. Dept of State Listserver" Xref: world wstd.travel.advisories:2259 Path: world!bzs Sender: US Dept of State Travel Warnings Message-ID: <199906162300.SAA71976@piglet.cc.uic.edu> Approved: usenet@world.std.com Distribution: wstd Comments: To: dostravel@uic.edu Lines: 212 United Kingdom & Gilbraltar - Consular Information Sheet June 15, 1999 COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: The United Kingdom is a highly developed constitutional monarchy comprising England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory. Tourist facilities are widely available. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: A passport is required. Tourists are not obliged to obtain a visa for stays up to six months in the United Kingdom or to enter Gibraltar. Those wishing to remain longer than one month in Gibraltar should regularize their stay with Gibraltar immigration authorities. Further information on entry requirements may be obtained from the British Embassy at 3100 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008; telephone: (202) 588-7800. Inquiries may also be directed to British consulates in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco. The website of the British Embassy in the United States is http://www.britain-info.org/bis/embassy/embassy.htm. DUAL NATIONALITY: U.S. citizens, who are also citizens of the United Kingdom or any other nation, are reminded that U.S. law requires that they enter and depart the United States documented as U.S. citizens. They are not entitled to U.S. visas nor to travel to the U.S. on the Visa Waiver Program. U.S. citizens who attempt to travel to the U.S. from the United Kingdom on foreign passports risk being denied boarding pending acquisition of a valid U.S. passport. For additional information, please see the Consular Affairs home page on the Internet at http://travel.state.gov for our dual nationality flyer. SAFETY/SECURITY: The United Kingdom is stable and modern. Political demonstrations are well policed and, except at times in Northern Ireland, they are generally orderly. There is a history of terrorist violence related to the political situation in Northern Ireland (a part of the United Kingdom). Numerous such incidents have occurred throughout England and Northern Ireland. Although the main paramilitary groups are observing a cease-fire, there continue to be acts of violence by dissident groups. U.S. citizens have not been specifically targeted, but some have been injured when caught up in disturbances. In recent years, there has been widespread civil unrest throughout Northern Ireland during the summer marching season (April to August). As a result, American citizens traveling in Northern Ireland have experienced delays and disruption. Some degree of civil unrest may continue for the foreseeable future. Bomb attacks targeting minority groups occurred in London during the Spring of 1999. Americans were not singled out, but the incidents occurred in public areas frequented by residents and visitors alike. CRIME INFORMATION: The United Kingdom and Gibraltar benefit from generally low crime rates, and incidents of violent crime are rare. However, incidents of pickpocketing and theft of unattended bags in urban areas are common. Pickpockets are especially active at sites frequented by tourists, including restaurants, historic sites, buses, trains and the London Underground (subway). Thieves often target unattended cars parked at tourist sites. American visitors should take steps to ensure the safety of their U.S. passports. Visitors in the United Kingdom are not expected to produce identity documents for police authorities and thus may secure their passports in hotel safes or residences. In Northern Ireland, however, passports or other photographic identification should be carried at all times. Throughout the United Kingdom, ATM9s, most of which have access to systems widely used in the U.S., are readily accessible. Therefore, only persons needing to cash travelers checks need to carry their passport with them. The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. U.S. citizens can refer to the Department of State9s pamphlet 3A Safe Trip Abroad2 for ways to promote a more trouble-free journey. The pamphlet is available by mail from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, via the Internet at http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs, or via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov. MEDICAL FACILITIES: While good medical services are widely available, free care under the National Health System is allowed only to residents of the United Kingdom. Tourists and short-term visitors can expect charges roughly comparable to those assessed in the U.S. Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States can cost thousands of dollars or more. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services, and U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside the United States. MEDICAL INSURANCE: Uninsured travelers who require medical care overseas may face extreme difficulties. Please check with your own insurance company to confirm whether your policy applies overseas, including provision for medical evacuation. Please ascertain whether payment will be made to the overseas hospital or doctor or whether you will be reimbursed later for expenses that you incur. Some insurance policies also include coverage for psychiatric treatment and for disposition of remains in the event of death. Useful information on medical emergencies abroad, including overseas insurance programs, is provided in the Department of State9s Bureau of Consular Affairs brochure, "Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad," available via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page or autofax: (202)647-3000. OTHER HEALTH INFORMATION: Information on vaccinations and other health precautions may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's international traveler's hotline at tel. 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1- 877-394-8747); fax 1-888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299), or by visiting the CDC Internet home page at http://www.cdc.gov. TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning the United Kingdom is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance. Safety of Public Transportation: Excellent Urban Road Condition/Maintenance: Excellent Rural Road Condition/Maintenance: Excellent Availability of Roadside Assistance: Excellent Penalties in the United Kingdom for drunk driving are stiff. Visitors uncomfortable with the prospect of left-sided driving may wish to avail themselves of extensive rail and air transport networks. Roads in the United Kingdom are excellent, but they are often congested in urban areas. Gibraltar, like the United States and Continental Europe, has right- sided driving. Persons traveling overland between Gibraltar and Spain may experience long delays in clearing Spanish border controls. The phone number for police/fire/ambulance emergency services--the equivalent of "911" in the U.S.--is 999 in the United Kingdom and 122 in Gibraltar. AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of the United Kingdom's Civil Aviation Authority as Category One - in compliance with international aviation standards for oversight of the United Kingdom's air carrier operations. For further information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation within the U.S. at 1-800-322-7873, or visit the FAA Internet home page at http://www.faa.gov/avr/iasa.htm. The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) separately assesses some foreign air carriers for suitability as official providers of air services. For information regarding the DOD policy on specific carriers, travelers may contact the Pentagon at (703) 697-7288. CUSTOMS REGULATIONS: British customs authorities may strictly enforce regulations regarding the import or export of certain items, including material deemed likely to incite racial hatred, firearms and personal defense items such as mace or knives. It is advisable to contact the British Embassy in Washington or one of the United Kingdom's consulates in the U.S. for specific information regarding customs requirements. CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating British law, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use or trafficking in illegal drugs in the United Kingdom are strict, and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and heavy fines. Air travelers to and from the United Kingdom should be aware that penalties against in-flight alcohol-related crimes are stiff and have been enforced. Y2K INFORMATION: U.S. citizens contemplating traveling or residing abroad in late 1999 or early 2000 should be aware of potential difficulties. They may wish to consider taking practical precautions against possible disruptions of services triggered by the Y2K computer phenomenon. Please monitor the home page of the Bureau of Consular Affairs for updates on Y2K issues. One of many British government Internet home pages is: http://y200.fgov.be/ or http://www.bug2000.co.uk. CHILDREN9S ISSUES: For information on international adoption of children, international parental child abduction, and international child support enforcement issues, please refer to our Internet site at: http://travel.state.gov/children9s_ issues.html or telephone (202)736- 7000. REGISTRATION/EMBASSY AND CONSULATE LOCATIONS: Americans living in or visiting the United Kingdom are encouraged to register at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in the United Kingdom and obtain updated information on travel and security within the United Kingdom. The U.S. Embassy is located at: 24 Grosvenor Square, London W1A 1AE; telephone - in country - 0171-499-9000, from the U.S. - 44-171-499-9000 (24 hours); Consular Section fax - in country - 0171-495-5012; from the U.S.- 44- 171-495-5012. Web site: http://www.usembassy.org.uk. The U.S. Consulate in Edinburgh, Scotland, is located at: 3 Regent Terrace, Edinburgh EH7 5BW; telephone - in country - 0131-556-8315, from the U.S. - 44-131-556-8315. After hours - in-country - 0131-260- 6495, from the U.S. - 44-131-260-6495. Fax - in country 0131-557-6023; from the U.S. - 44-131-557-6023. Web site: http://www.usembassy.org.uk/scotland. The U.S. Consulate in Belfast, Northern Ireland, is located at: 14 Queen Street, Belfast BT1 6EQ; telephone - in country 01232-328-239; from the U.S. - 44-1232-328-239. After hours - in country - 01232-241-279, from the U.S. - 44-1232-241-279. Fax - in country - 01232-248-482, from the U.S. - 44-1232-248-482. ***** This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated April 3, 1998 to update the sections on Country Description, Crime, Traffic Safety, Customs Regulations, Criminal Penalties, Dual Nationality and Passports, Y2K issues, Children9s Issues and to provide Internet addresses for a number of U.S. and U.K. entities.