From: 76702.1202@CompuServe.COM (Charlie Smith)
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: *NEW* TRAVEL INFORMATION -- Yemen
Date: 12 Jan 1993 22:49:27 -0600
Organization: UTexas Mail-to-News Gateway
NNTP-Posting-Host: cs.utexas.edu

STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Yemen
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Yemen - Consular Information Sheet
 January 8, 1993

Embassy Location:  The U.S. Embassy in Sanaa, Yemen is located at 
Dhahr Himyar Zone, Sheraton Hotel District, P.O. Box 22347.  The 
telephone number is (967-1) 238-843/52.  The workweek in Yemen is 
Saturday through Wednesday.

Country Description:  Yemen is a republic governed by a 
presidential council, prime minister and cabinet, and a 
constitutional parliament.  Islamic ideals and beliefs provide the 
conservative foundation of the country's customs, laws and 
practices.  Yemen is a developing country, and modern tourist 
facilities, except in the major cities, are not widely available.

Entry Requirements:  Passports and visas are required.  Entry to 
Yemen may be denied to persons with passports showing Israeli or 
South African visas or entry/exit stamps.  A yellow fever 
vaccination is recommended.  Chloroquine-resistant malaria 
suppressants are recommended for travel to areas outside the city of 
Sanaa.  For more details, the traveler can contact the Embassy of 
the Yemen Arab Republic, Suite 840, 600 New Hampshire Ave., N.W., 
Washington, D.C. 20037, telephone (202) 965-4760; or the Yemen 
Mission to the U.N., 866 United Nations Plaza, Room 435, New York, 
N.Y. 10017, telephone (212) 355-1730.

Areas of Instability:  Travel in remote areas of the country, 
including the northern border of Yemen, south and east from Najran, 
Saudi Arabia, can be dangerous.  Local tribal disputes and disputes 
between tribal groups and the government have occasionally led to 
violent incidents.  Also, inter-tribal disputes have sometimes led 
to the kidnapping of Westerners.  Armed hijackings of vehicles have 
occurred in many parts of the country, accompanied in some instances 
by violence.  Urban violence is also a problem.  Foreign embassies 
and Yemeni government buildings have been the target of bombs and 
rockets planted or fired by unknown individuals or groups.  These 
disturbances and violent incidents present a potential danger to 
U.S. citizens in Yemen.  Specific written permission from the Yemen 
General Tourism Corporation must be obtained for any travel outside 
the cities of Sanaa and Aden.  This can be arranged by a local 
travel agent/tour guide.

Medical Facilities:  Basic medical care and medicines are available 
in the principal cities of Yemen, but not necessarily in outlying 
areas.  The altitude of Sanaa (7200 feet) and lack of adequate 
medical facilities can cause problems for some visitors.  Doctors 
and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health 
services. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the 
United States.  Supplemental medical insurance with specific 
overseas coverage has proved useful.  The international travelers 
hotline at the Centers for Disease Control, telephone (404) 332-4559 
has additional useful health information.

Information on Crime:  Major crime is generally not a problem for 
travelers in Yemen, though travelers occasionally have been victims 
of petty street crime.  Useful information on guarding valuables and 
protecting personal security while traveling abroad is provided in 
the Department of State pamphlet, "A Safe Trip Abroad."  It is 
available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government 
Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402.

Drug Penalties:  Penalties for possession, use or trafficking in 
illegal drugs are strict and convicted offenders can expect jail 
sentences and fines.

Dual Nationality:  The government of Yemen may not recognize the 
U.S. citizenship of persons who are citizens of both Yemen and the 
United States.  Such individuals might be subject to national 
obligations, such as taxes or military service. Travelers can 
contact an embassy or consulate of Yemen for further information on 
possible dual nationality.  U.S. consular assistance is limited for 
persons who do not enter Yemen on a U.S. passport.

Photography Restrictions:  Specific permission is required for the 
use of video cameras.  Photography of military installations, 
equipment, or troops is forbidden, and in the past has led to the 
arrest of U.S. citizens.  Such sites are not always obvious.  If in 
doubt, it is useful to ask specific permission. 

Tips For Travelers:  The Department of State publication "Tips for 
Travelers to the Middle East and North Africa" contains general 
information on travel in the area.  It is available from the 
Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, 
Washington, D.C. 20402.

Registration:  U.S. citizens who register at the U.S. Embassy can 
obtain updated information on travel and security within Yemen.

 No. 93-027