Threat of Violence in Madagascar

World Travel Watch is a monthly report designed to help you make informed judgments about travel. Because conditions can change overnight, always make your own inquiries before you leave home. In the United States, contact your Passport Agency office; abroad, check in with the nearest American embassy.

Africa

Madagascar: The U.S. State Department has issued an advisory warning U.S. citizens to stay out of Madagascar unless travel is essential due to the potential for peaceful protests to turn violent. Large demonstrations against the government of President Didier Ratsiraka have been occurring since early June in the capital city of Antananarivo. A state of emergency was declared recently in Madagascar banning public gatherings, and a curfew imposed in Antananarivo, but protesters have defied the ban and the army has not enforced it. There are fuel shortages and strikes have disrupted transportation and other services. Tensions are high and violence is possible.

Liberia: While a cease-fire continues to hold in the civil war, there could be an outbreak of violence at any time and nonessential travel here should still be avoided.

Central African Republic: Anti-government demonstrations in the capital city of Bangui have grown in size and the possibility of violence and looting exists. Avoid large gatherings and be careful what you photograph. Many seemingly innocuous places are off-limits, and photographing them could lead to trouble with authorities.

Senegal: Incidents of violence occurred last year between civilians and the military in the popular Casamance region in the south, but conditions have improved in recent months and travel between Kolda and the Atlantic coast is now reasonably safe.

Asia

India: Tensions remain high in the troubled regions of Kashmir and Punjab. Travel to Kashmir should be avoided and travel to Punjab should be undertaken only if absolutely necessary. The northeastern state of Assam has been the site of increasing unrest in recent months; travelers should exercise special caution there. Consult with the American consulates in Bombay, Madras, Calcutta or the consular section of the embassy in New Delhi if you are planning travel to troubled areas. Corruption is rampant at the Attari border crossing into Pakistan between Amritsar and Lahore, with officials on both sides sometimes making demands for bribes before allowing travelers to pass. Expect the crossing to take a couple of hours. Pakistan: Be extremely careful traveling in the southern Sindh province, where kidnapings and banditry are serious problems.

Europe

Ireland: Because of a recent rash of counterfeiting, $100 bills are almost impossible to convert or use anywhere in the country. No banks will accept them, and finding a currency exchange office that will is difficult. Other denominations are freely accepted, as are traveler’s checks and credit cards.

Portugal: Be on guard when driving here. Deaths from automobile accidents here are the highest in Europe, followed by Greece and Spain. One of the most notorious stretches of highway is the coast road between Lisbon and Cascais. Hazards include spray from winter Atlantic waves and drunk drivers who have been imbibing in the area’s numerous bars and restaurants.

Oceania

Papua New Guinea: Street crime continues to be a problem in Port Moresby, even during daylight hours. Be watchful.

Southeast Asia

Philippines: Continuing eruptions of Mt. Pinatubo have, from time to time, reduced operations at Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport, and flight delays could occur. Avoid areas within 20 miles of the volcano, and especially avoid any low-lying areas downstream of the mountain due to the threat of mudflows. Manila has not been seriously affected by the volcano, and travel throughout the rest of the country remains essentially normal.