From: werner@rascal.ics.utexas.edu (Werner Uhrig)
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: (WARNING) Azerbaijan -- *NEW* TRAVEL ADVISORY
Date: 8 Apr 1992 09:11:06 -0500
Organization: CS Dept, University of Texas at Austin
Expires: +30 days
NNTP-Posting-Host: cs.utexas.edu

STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL ADVISORY - Azerbaijan
============================================================
AZERBAIJAN - WARNING
 March 26, 1992

Summary:  U.S. citizens planning to visit Azerbaijan or the other
former Soviet Republics should be aware that the region is
undergoing profound political and economic change.  U.S. citizens
should defer all travel to the Nagorno-Karabakh province and to the
border area between Azerbaijan and Armenia.  U.S. citizens should
avoid demonstrations or other signs of political unrest, and should
stay abreast of current developments, in order to react to evolving
events.  Crimes against tourists are a growing problem and travelers
should exercise the same precations, especially in urban areas, as
they would at home.  Tourists in frail health are strongly advised
not to visit the region because of severe shortages of basic medical
supplies.  Internal travel, especially by air, may be disrupted by
fuel shortages and other economic difficulties.  End Summary.

Ethnic and Political Unrest:  U.S. citizens should avoid the border
area between Armenia and Azerbaijan.  Travelers should also defer
travel to Nagorno-Karabakh province, which is experiencing ongoing
violence.

Internal Travel Disruptions:  Beginning in late 1991, many flights
between the former Soviet Republics were delayed and in some cases
canceled because of shortages of jet fuel.  Travelers should be
prepared for long waits or for the possibility that their
itineraries will have to be changed with little or no advance
notice.  International flights, including international Aeroflot
flights, have not been affected by this problem.

Visas:  At this time, all travelers to the former Soviet Union,
including Azerbaijan, must have a visa issued by a Russian Embassy
or Consulate.  Travelers who do not have a visa cannot register at
any hotel and will be required to leave the country immediately, via
the route by which they entered the country.  U.S. citizens should
contact the Russian Embassy in Washington (202/939-8916) or the
Russian Consulate in San Francisco (415/922-6642) for current
information on visa requirements. U.S. citizens should obtain their
visas in the U.S.; it can be difficult and time consuming to obtain
a visa in a third country.

"Tips for Travelers to the U.S.S.R.":  U.S. citizens planning a
trip to Azerbaijan may wish to obtain a copy of the State
Department's "Tips for Travelers to the U.S.S.R.," which is
currently being revised.  Much of the information, however, is still
valid for the newly Independent States.  This pamphlet provides
information about passport and visa requirements, recommended
innoculations and vaccinations, health precautions, customs and
currency regulations, crime and personal security and other matters
of general interest. The pamphlet also contains specific information
for dual nationals of the U.S. and the former U.S.S.R.  "Tips for
Travelers to the U.S.S.R." can be ordered for $1.00 each from the
Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office,
Washington, D.C. 20402.  Travelers should also check with Intourist
(212/757-3884) or the State Department's Office of Overseas Citizen
Services (202/647-5225) for current information before traveling.

Crime and Personal Security:  Although officials in Azerbaijan have
expressed their readiness to cooperate with U.S. officials in the
event of an emergency involving a U.S. citizen, communications and
transportation can be slow and difficult, and the nearest U.S.
officials in some cases may be more than a day's travel away.
Crimes against tourists (robberies, muggings and pick-pocketings)
are a growing problem in the region.  Travelers should exercise the
same caution -- even in social encounters -- that they would in the
United States.

Medical care in the region does not meet Western standards.  There
is a severe shortage of basic medical supplies including disposable
needles, anesthetics and antibiotics.  Tourists in frail health are
strongly advised not to visit.  The "Tips for Travelers to the
U.S.S.R." contains additional information on health care in the
region.

The U.S. has recently opened an embassy in Baku, the capital of
Azerbaijan.  The Embassy is temporarily located in the Hotel
Inturist, and is currently providing limited consular services to
U.S. citizens in Azerbaijan.  U.S. citizens in need of emergency
services may contact the Embassy at 7-8922-917956.  All U.S.
citizens visiting Azerbaijan should register with the Embassy.

No. 92-69

This advisory replaces the travel advisory dated December 24, 1991,
for the U.S.S.R., to warn U.S. citizens of concerns specific to
travel in Azerbaijan.


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