TRAVEL WARNING - NEPAL

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SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CASC PTER ASEC NP
SUBJECT: TRAVEL WARNING - NEPAL


1. The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the
risks of traveling to Nepal and urges caution when
traveling in country. The Department of State remains
concerned about the security situation in Nepal and urges
American citizens to obtain updated security information
before they travel and to be prepared to change their
plans on short notice. This replaces the Travel Warning
for Nepal dated November 21, 2008 and updates safety and
security information.

2. Political violence remains a problem in Nepal. The
Young Communist League (YCL),a Maoist Party subgroup,
continues to engage in extortion, abuse, and threats of
violence, particularly in rural areas. Youth groups from
the other two main political parties, the Nepali Congress
(NC) and the United Marxist-Leninist Party (UML),have
also formed and clashes continue among these political
rivals. Violent actions by multiple armed splinter
groups in the Terai region along the southern border with
India remain a significant concern.

3. Protests, demonstrations and disruptions frequently
occur. The May 4, 2009 resignation of the Prime Minister
and the resulting caretaker government has created an
environment of increased political instability and the
potential for demonstrations to be called without advance
notice. During demonstrations, protestors have used
violence, including damaging vehicles, throwing rocks,
and burning tires to block traffic. Given the nature,
intensity, and unpredictability of disturbances, American
citizens are urged to exercise special caution during
times when demonstrations are announced, avoid areas
where demonstrations are occurring or crowds are forming,
avoid road travel, and maintain a low profile. Curfews
can be announced with little or no advance notice.
American citizens are urged to consult media sources and
to register with the Embassy (see instructions below) for
current security information.

4. Crime in the Kathmandu Valley, including violent
crime and harassment of women, continues to rise. Police
resources to combat such crime are limited. Police have
reported a number of robberies by armed gangs, sometimes
resulting in injury to the victims. Petty theft and
muggings occur in popular tourist areas such as Pokhara
and the Thamel area of Kathmandu. Visitors to Nepal
should practice good personal security when moving about,
especially at night, and avoid walking alone after dark,
carrying large sums of cash, or wearing expensive
jewelry. In several reported incidents tourists have had
their belongings stolen from their rooms while they were
asleep. There has been an increase in the number of
fraudulent schemes perpetrated against tourists. These
schemes involve requesting the traveler's assistance in
establishing shipping routes, or business contacts with
the United States or other countries, involving jewelry,
antiquities, or carpets, promising huge returns. Solo
trekkers have been robbed by small groups of young men,
even on some popular trails. There have been reports of
groups, primarily the Maoist Young Communist League,
stopping foreign tourists along some popular trekking
routes to extort money as donations to a political party,
or toll for passage. Political parties or community
groups frequently call strikes, or bandhs, and have
threatened physical violence to Nepalis and non-Nepalis
alike for violating these strikes.

5. Travel via road in areas outside of the Kathmandu
Valley is hazardous due to erratic drivers and frequent
road accidents. Public transportation, such as

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microbuses and tuk tuks, should be avoided because they
are often overfilled, driven unsafely, and mechanically
unsound. American citizens should use taxis with meters
or negotiate a price with the taxi driver before starting
a trip.

6. Most U.S. official travel outside the Kathmandu
Valley, including by air, requires specific clearance by
the U.S. Embassy's Regional Security Officer. As a
result, The U.S. Embassy's ability to provide emergency
assistance to U.S. citizens may be limited. Active duty
U.S. military and Department of Defense contractors must
obtain U.S. Embassy clearance in advance for official and
personal travel to Nepal.

7. The U.S. Government's designation of the Communist
Party of Nepal (Maoist) as a "Specially Designated Global
Terrorist" organization under Executive Order 13224 and
its inclusion on the "Terrorist Exclusion List" pursuant
to the Immigration and Nationality Act remain in effect.
These two designations make Maoists excludable from entry
into the United States without a waiver and bar U.S.
citizens from transactions such as contribution of funds,
goods, or services to, or for the benefit of, the
Maoists.

8. For additional information, please refer to "A Safe
Trip Abroad" found at http://travel.state.gov. Americans
living or traveling in Nepal are encouraged to register
with the U.S. Embassy through the State Department's
travel registration website
https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs . The
Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu is
located at Maharajgunj. The telephone number is 977-1-
4007200, 4007201. The number for after-hours emergencies
is 977-1-4007266, 4007269. The fax number is 977-1-

4007281. The Consulate's e-mail address is
consktm@state.gov and its Internet web page is
http://nepal.usembassy.gov. U.S. citizens should also
consult the Department of State's latest Country Specific
Information for Nepal and the Worldwide Caution,
available at http://travel.state.gov. Up-to-date
information on security can also be obtained by calling
1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States and Canada
or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a
regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are
available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time,
Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

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