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- Path: sparky!uunet!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!cs.utexas.edu!gateway
- From: 76702.1202@CompuServe.COM (Charlie Smith)
- Newsgroups: rec.travel
- Subject: *NEW* TRAVEL INFORMATION -- Botswana
- Date: 29 Dec 1992 12:18:14 -0600
- Organization: UTexas Mail-to-News Gateway
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-
- STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Botswana
- ============================================================
- Botswana - Consular Information Sheet
- December 24, 1992
-
- Embassy Location: The U.S. Embassy is located in the capital city
- of Gaborone. The mailing address is P.O. Box 90, Gaborone,
- Botswana. The telephone is (267) 353-982.
-
- Country Description: Botswana is a developing southern African
- nation. Facilities for tourism are available.
-
- Entry Requirements: A passport is required. No visa is necessary
- for stays of less than 90 days. Further information can be obtained
- from the Embassy of the Republic of Botswana, Suite 7M, 3400
- International Drive N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, telephone (202)
- 244-4990/1. There are also honorary consuls in Los Angeles, San
- Francisco and Houston.
-
- Medical Facilities: Medical facilities in Botswana are limited.
- Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health
- care services. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside
- the United States. Supplemental medical insurance with specific
- overseas coverage has proved to be useful. Information on health
- matters can be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control's
- international travelers hotline, telephone (404) 332-4559.
-
- Information on Crime: Petty crime including pickpocketing and
- purse snatching is common especially in the city of Gaborone.
- Useful information on safeguarding 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: Botswana's drugs and related substances act
- (effective since September 18, 1992) mandates harsh punishments for
- unlawful dealing and possession of cannabis (known locally as
- motokwane or dagga). The new act specifies that: (a) any person who
- is found to be unlawfully dealing or in possession of dagga in an
- amount exceeding 60 grams shall on conviction be liable to a
- mandatory punishment of five to ten years imprisonment, and to a
- fine not less than 7,000 pula (or $3,500) or in default thereof, to
- an additional term of imprisonment of one to two years; and (b) if
- the dagga is less than 60 grams, the offender shall be liable to
- mandatory imprisonment of one to five years and to a fine of
- 1,500-5,000 pula ($750 - $2500). Penalties for possession, use or
- trafficking in illegal drugs are strictly enforced.
-
- Tips for Travelers: The Department of State publication "Tips for
- Travelers to Sub-Saharan Africa" is available from the
- Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office,
- Washington, D.C. 20402. It contains general information on travel
- in the area.
-
- Registration: U.S. citizens who register at the U.S. Embassy can
- obtain updated information on travel and security in Botswana.
-
- No. 92-130
-
-
- Distribution:
- >INTERNET:travel-advisories@stolaf.edu.
-
-