From: 76702.1202@CompuServe.COM (Charlie Smith)
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: *NEW* TRAVEL INFORMATION -- Liberia
Date: 6 Jan 1993 12:08:37 -0600
Organization: UTexas Mail-to-News Gateway
NNTP-Posting-Host: cs.utexas.edu

STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Liberia
============================================================
Liberia - Warning
 December 24, 1992

Warning:  U.S. citizens are warned against travel to Liberia, due 
to the civil war in the country.  Dependents and nonessential 
personnel have been evacuated from the U.S. Embassy in Monrovia.  
Consular services for American citizens in Liberia are extremely 
limited.  Additional information can be found in the Department of 
State's Consular Information Sheet on Liberia.

 No. 92-11

This replaces the travel advisory warning of September 29, 1992.


Liberia - Consular Information Sheet
 December 24, 1992

Warning:  U.S. citizens are warned against travel to Liberia, due 
to the civil war in the country.  Dependents and nonessential 
personnel have been evacuated from the U.S. Embassy in Monrovia.  
Consular services for American citizens in Liberia are extremely 
limited.

Embassy Location:  The U.S. Embassy is located at 111 United 
Nations Drive.  Telephone numbers are (231) 222991 through 222994.  
The Embassy's mailing address is P.O. Box 10-0098, Mamba Point, 
Monrovia, or APO AE 09813.    

Country Description:  Liberia is a developing West African country 
which has suffered high internal strife for the past several years.  
Tourism facilities are poor, and in some cases, nonexistent.

Areas of Instability:  The current situation in Liberia changes on 
almost a day-to-day basis.  A cease-fire among former warring 
factions was recently broken by an outbreak of fighting on the 
outskirts of Monrovia.  Tensions are high throughout the country and 
widespread hostilities have resumed.  A security buffer around 
Monrovia is patrolled by forces of the West African Peace Monitoring 
Group.  There are many checkpoints along the roads, which are manned 
by armed troops.  Travelers, including U.S. citizens, have been 
detained, harassed and delayed by forces of the National Patriotic 
Front of Liberia (NPFL).  Five U.S. citizen nuns were reported 
killed by NPFL troops in October 1992.  Roberts International 
Airport outside of Monrovia is closed.  Limited air service exists 
only between Spriggs Payne Field in Monrovia and Abidjan, Cote 
D'Ivoire, and Freetown, Sierra Leone.  No major international air 
carrier serves Spriggs Payne Field.  A curfew is strictly enforced 
in Monrovia.

Country Infrastructure:  Lodging, water, electricity, fuel, 
transportation, telephone and postal services continue to be 
disrupted in Monrovia.  Such services are nonexistent or severely 
limited in rural areas.

Entry Requirements:  People who, despite this warning, continue to 
plan a trip to Liberia, are required to have a passport and visa 
obtained prior to arrival.  Evidence of cholera and yellow fever 
vaccinations are required.  An exit permit must be obtained from 
Liberian immigration authorities upon arrival.  Further information 
on entry requirements for Liberia can be obtained from the Embassy 
of the Republic of Liberia, 5201 16th Street N.W., Washington, D.C.  
20011.  The telephone numbers are (202) 723-0437 to 723-0440.

Medical Facilities:  Medical facilities have been disrupted.  
Medicines are scarce.

Information on Crime:  Foreigners in Monrovia, including U.S. 
citizens, have been targets of street crime.  Residential breaking 
and entering is common.

Mail Service:  Mail delivery is erratic for both international mail 
and when using APO.  DHL operates a parcel delivery service to 
Monrovia.

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

Tips for Travelers:  General information on travel to the area can 
be obtained from the Department of State publication "Tips for 
Travelers to Sub-Saharan Africa."  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 in 
Monrovia can obtain updated information on travel and security.  At 
the present time, however, consular assistance is limited by unrest 
in the country and by lack of personnel.

 No. 92-150


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