ETHIOPIA

Compiled from the May 2003 Background Note and supplemented with additional information from the State Department and the editors of this volume. See the introduction to this set for explanatory notes.

Official Name:
Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

PROFILE
GEOGRAPHY
PEOPLE
HISTORY
DEFENSE
ECONOMY
FOREIGN RELATIONS
U.S.-ETHIOPIA RELATIONS
TRAVEL

PROFILE

Geography

Area: 1.1 million sq. km (472,000 sq. mi.); about the size of Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico combined.

Cities: Capital—Addis Ababa (pop. 2.3 million). Other cities—Dire Dawa (180,000), Harar (138,000), Dessie (105,000), Nazret (100,000), Bahir Dar (95,000), Awassa (90,000)

Terrain: High plateau, mountains, dry lowland plains.

Climate: Temperate in the highlands; hot in the lowlands.

People

Nationality: Noun and adjective—Ethiopian(s).

Population: (2002 est.) 68 million.

Annual growth rate: 2.64%.

Ethnic groups: (est.) Oromo 35%, Amhara 30%, Tigre 6.3%, Somali 6% Sidama 6%, Gurage 4%, Wolaita 4%, Afar 2%, other nationalities 6.7%.

Religions: Muslim 45%, Ethiopian Orthodox Christian 45%, Protestant 5%, indigenous beliefs, remainder.

Languages: Amharic (official), Tigrinya, Arabic, Guaragigna, Oromigna, English, Somali.

Education: Years compulsory—none. Attendance (elementary) 46%. Literacy—35.5%.

Health: Infant mortality rate-97/1,000 live births.

Work force: Agriculture—80%. Industry and commerce—20%.

Government

Type: Federal Republic.

Constitution: Ratified 1994.

Branches: Executive—President, Council of State, Council of Ministers. Executive power resides with the prime minister. Legislative—bicameral parliament. Judicial — divided into Federal and Regional Courts.

Administrative subdivisions: 10 regions.

Political parties: Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) and 50 other registered parties, most of which are small and ethnically based.

Suffrage: Universal.

Central government budget: $1.76 billion.

Defense: $350 million (5.6% FY 2002).

National holiday: May 28.

Flag: Green, yellow and red horizontal stripes from top to bottom, with gold five-pointed star and rays on a blue circular background.

Economy

Real GDP: $6.1 billion.

Annual growth rate: (2002) 5%.

Per capita income: $110.

Average inflation rate: (last 3 years) 3.5%.

Natural resources: Potash, salt, gold, copper, platinum, natural gas (unexploited).

Agriculture: (40% of GDP) Products—coffee, cereals, pulses, oilseeds, khat, meat, hides and skins. Cultivated land—67%.

Industry: (13.7% of GDP) Types—textiles, processed foods, construction, cement, hydroelectric power.

Trade: (2002 est.) Exports—$400 million. Imports—$1.6 billion.

Fiscal year: July 8-July 7.

GEOGRAPHY

Ethiopia is located in the Horn of Africa and is bordered on the north and northeast by Eritrea, on the east by Djibouti and Somalia, on the south by Kenya, and on the west and southwest by Sudan. The country has a high central plateau that varies from 1,800 to 3,000 meters (6,000 ft.-10,000 ft.) above sea level, with some mountains reaching 4,620 meters (15,158 ft.). Elevation is generally highest just before the point of descent to the Great Rift Valley, which splits the plateau diagonally. A number of rivers cross the plateau—notably the Blue Nile rising from Lake Tana. The plateau gradually slopes to the lowlands of the Sudan on the west and the Somali-inhabited plains to the southeast.

The climate is temperate on the plateau and hot in the lowlands. At Addis Ababa, which ranges from 2,200 to 2,600 meters (7,000 ft.-8,500 ft.), maximum temperature is 26°C (80°F) and minimum 4°C (40°F). The weather is usually sunny and dry with the short (belg) rains

occurring February-April and the big (meher) rains beginning in mid-June and ending in mid-September.

PEOPLE

Ethiopia's population is highly diverse. Most of its people speak a Semitic or Cushitic language. The Oromo, Amhara, and Tigreans make up more than three-fourths of the population, but there are more than 80 different ethnic groups within Ethiopia. Some of these have as few as 10,000 members. In general, most of the Christians live in the highlands, while Muslims and adherents of traditional African religions tend to inhabit lowland regions. English is the most widely spoken foreign language and is taught in all secondary schools. Amharic was the language of primary school instruction but has been replaced in many areas by local languages such as Oromifa and Tigrinya.

HISTORY

Ethiopia is the oldest independent country in Africa and one of the oldest in the world. Herodotus, the Greek historian of the fifth century B.C. describes ancient Ethiopia in his writings. The Old Testament of the Bible records the Queen of Sheba's visit to Jerusalem. According to legend, Menelik I, the son of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, founded the Ethiopian Empire. Missionaries from Egypt and Syria introduced Christianity in the fourth century A.D. Following the rise of Islam in the seventh century, Ethiopia was gradually cut off from European Christendom. The Portuguese established contact with Ethiopia in 1493, primarily to streng then their hegemony over the Indian Ocean and to convert Ethiopia to Roman Catholicism. There followed a century of conflict between pro- and anti-Catholic factions, resulting in the expulsion of all foreign missionaries in the 1630s. This period of bitter religious conflict contributed to hostility toward foreign Christians and Europeans, which persisted into the 20th century and was a factor in Ethiopia's isolation until the mid-19th century.

Under the Emperors Theodore II (1855-68), Johannes IV (1872-89), and Menelik II (1889-1913), the kingdom began to emerge from its medieval isolation. When Menelik II died, his grandson, Lij Iyassu, succeeded to the throne but soon lost support because of his Muslim ties. He was deposed in 1916 by the Christian nobility, and Menelik's daughter, Zewditu, was made empress. Her cousin, Ras Tafari Makonnen (1892-1975), was made regent and successor to the throne. In 1930, after the empress died, the regent, adopting the throne name Haile Selassie, was crowned emperor. His reign was interrupted in 1936 when Italian Fascist forces invaded and occupied Ethiopia. The emperor was forced into exile in England despite his plea to the League of Nations for intervention. Five years later, the Italians were defeated by British and Ethiopian forces, and the emperor returned to the throne.

After a period of civil unrest which began in February 1974, the aging Haile Selassie I was deposed on September 12, 1974, and a provisional administrative council of soldiers, known as the Derg ("committee") seized power from the emperor and installed a government which was socialist in name and military in style. The Derg summarily executed 59 members of the royal family and ministers and generals of the emperor's government; Emperor Haile Selassie was strangled in the basement of his palace on August 22, 1975.

Lt. Col. Mengistu Haile Mariam assumed power as head of state and Derg chairman, after having his two predecessors killed. Mengistu's years in office were marked by a totalitarian-style government and the country's massive militarization, financed by the Soviet Union and the Eastern Bloc, and assisted by Cuba. From 1977 through early 1978 thousands of suspected enemies of the Derg were tortured and/or killed in a purge called the "red terror." Communism was officially adopted during the late 1970s and early 1980s with the promulgation of a Soviet-style constitution, Politburo, and the creation of the Workers' Party of Ethiopia (WPE).

In December 1976, an Ethiopian delegation in Moscow signed a military assistance agreement with the Soviet Union. The following April, Ethiopia abrogated its military assistance agreement with the United States and expelled the American military missions. In July 1977, sensing the disarray in Ethiopia, Somalia attacked across the Ogaden Desert in pursuit of its irredentist claims to the ethnic Somali areas of Ethiopia. Ethiopian forces were driven back far inside their own frontiers but, with the assistance of a massive Soviet airlift of arms and Cuban combat forces, they stemmed the attack. The major Somali regular units were forced out of the Ogaden in March 1978. Twenty years later, the Somali region of Ethiopia remains underdeveloped and insecure.

The Derg's collapse was hastened by droughts and famine, as well as by insurrections, particularly in the northern regions of Tigray and Eritrea. In 1989, the Tigrayan People's Liberation Front (TPLF) merged with other ethnically based opposition movements to form the Ethiopian Peoples' Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF). In May 1991, EPRDF forces advanced on Addis Ababa. Mengistu fled the country and was granted asylum in Zimbabwe, where he still resides.

In July 1991, the EPRDF, the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), and others established the Transitional Government of Ethiopia (TGE) which was comprised of an 87-member Council of Representatives and guided by a national charter that functioned as a transitional constitution. In June

1992 the OLF withdrew from the government; in March 1993, members of the Southern Ethiopia Peoples' Democratic Coalition left the government.

In May 1991, the Eritrean People's Liberation Front (EPLF), led by Isaias Afwerki, assumed control of Eritrea and established a provisional government. This provisional government independently administered Eritrea until April 23-25, 1993, when Eritreans voted overwhelmingly for independence in a UN-monitored free and fair referendum. Eritrea was declared independent on April 27, and the United States recognized Eritrean independence on April 28.

In Ethiopia, President Meles Zenawi and members of the TGE pledged to oversee the formation of a multiparty democracy. The election for a 547-member constituent assembly was held in June 1994, and this assembly adopted the constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in December 1994. The elections for Ethiopia's first popularly chosen national parliament and regional legislatures were held in May and June 1995. Most opposition parties chose to boycott these elections, ensuring a landslide victory for the EPRDF. International and non-governmental observers concluded that opposition parties would have been able to participate had they chosen to do so.

The Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia was installed in August 1995. The EPRDF-led government of Prime Minister Meles has promoted a policy of ethnic federalism, devolving significant powers to regional, ethnically based authorities. Ethiopia today has 10 semi-autonomous administrative regions which have the power to raise and spend their own revenues. Under the present government, Ethiopians enjoy greater political participation and freer debate than ever before in their history, although some fundamental freedoms, including freedom of the press, are in practice somewhat circumscribed.

Principal Government Officials Last Updated: 2/14/03

President: Girma Woldegiorgis,

Prime Minister: Meles Zenawi,

Dep. Prime Min.: Addisu Legesse,

Dep. Prime Min.: Kassu Ilala,

Min. of Agriculture: Mulatu Teshome,

Min. of Capacity Building: Tefera Walwa,

Min. of Defense: Abadula Gemeda,

Min. of Education: Genet Zewdie,

Min. of Federal Affairs: Abay Tsehay,

Min. of Finance & Economic Development: Sufian Ahmed,

Min. of Foreign Affairs: Seyoum Mesfin,

Min. of Health: Kebede Tadesse, Dr.

Min. of Information: Bereket Simeon,

Min. of Infrastructure: Kassu Ilala,

Min. of Justice: Harka Haroyu,

Min. of Labor & Social Affairs: Hassan Abdella,

Min. of Mines & Energy Resources: Mohamoud Dirir,

Min. of Revenue: Getachew Belay,

Min. of Rural Development: Addisu Legesse,

Min. of Trade & Industry: Girma Birru,

Min. of Water Resources: Shiferaw Jarso,

Min. of Youth, Sports, & Culture: Teshome Toga,

Governor, National Bank: Teklewold, Atnafu

Ambassador to the US: Kassahun Ayele,

Permanent Representative to the UN, New York: Abdul Mejid Hussein,

Ethiopia maintains an embassy in the U.S. at 2134 Kalorama Road, NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel. 202/234-2281) headed by Ambassador Berhane Gebre-Christos. A separate trade and commercial office is located at 1800 K Street, N.W., Suite 824, Washington, D.C. 20006 (tel. 202/452-1272).

DEFENSE

The Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) numbers about 200,000 personnel, which makes it one of the largest militaries in Africa.

During the 1998-2000 border war with Eritrea, the ENDF mobilized up to a strength of approximately 350,000. Since the end of the war, they have demobilized some 150,000 soldiers. The ENDF continues a transition from its roots as a guerril la army to a professional military organization with the aid of the U.S. and other countries. Training in peacekeeping operations, professional military education, military training management, and military medicine are among the major programs sponsored by the United States.

ECONOMY

The current government has embarked on a program of economic reform, including privatization of state enterprises and rationalization of government regulation. While the process is still ongoing, the reforms have begun to attract much-needed foreign investment.

The Ethiopian economy is based on agriculture, which contributes 45% to GNP and more than 80% of exports, and employs 85% of the population. The major agricultural export crop is coffee, providing 65%-75% of Ethiopia's foreign exchange earnings. Other traditional major agricultural exports are hides and skins, pulses, oilseeds, and the traditional "khat," a leafy shrub which has psychotropic qualities when chewed.

Ethiopia's agriculture is plagued by periodic drought, soil degradation caused by overgrazing, deforestation, high population density, and poor infrastructure, making it difficult and expensive to get goods to market. Yet it is the country's most promising resource. A potential exists for self-sufficiency in grains and for export development in livestock, grains, vegetables, and fruits.

Gold, marble, limestone, and small amounts of tantalum are mined in Ethiopia. Other resources with potential for commercial development include large potash deposits, natural gas, iron ore, and possibly oil and geothermal energy. Although Ethiopia has good hydroelectric resources, which power most of its manufacturing sector, it is totally dependent on imports for its oil. A landlocked country, Ethiopia uses the seaports of Assab and Massawa in Eritrea. Ethiopia also uses the port of Djibouti, connected to Addis Ababa by rail, for international trade. Of the 23,812 kilometers of Ethiopia's all-weather roads, 15% are asphalt. Mountainous terrain and the lack of good roads and sufficient vehicles make land transportation difficult. However, the government-owned airline is excellent. Ethiopian Airlines serves 38 domestic airfields and has 42 international destinations.

Dependent on a few vulnerable crops for its foreign exchange earnings and reliant on imported oil, Ethiopia lacks sufficient foreign exchange. The financially conservative government has taken measures to solve this problem, including stringent import controls and sharply reduced subsidies on retail gasoline prices. Nevertheless, the largely subsistence economy is incapable of supporting high military expenditures, drought relief, an ambitious development plan, and indispensable imports such as oil and, therefore, must depend on foreign assistance.

FOREIGN RELATIONS

Ethiopia was relatively isolated from major movements of world politics until the 1895 and 1935 Italian invasions. Since World War II, it has played an active role in world and African affairs. Ethiopia was a charter member of the United Nations and took part in UN operations in Korea in 1951 and the Congo in 1960. Former Emperor Haile Selassie was a founder of the Organization of African Unity (OAU). Addis Ababa is the host capital for the UN Economic Commission for Africa and the OAU.

Although nominally a member of the Non-Aligned Movement, after the 1974 revolution, Ethiopia moved into a close relationship with the Soviet Union and its allies and supported their international policies and positions until the change of government in 1991. Today, Ethiopia has very good relations with the United States and the West, especially in responding to regional instability and, increasingly, through economic involvement.

Ethiopia's relations with Eritrea are tense. Following a brutal 1998-2000 border war in which tens of thousands died, the two countries signed a peace agreement in December 2000. A five-member independent international commission—Eritrean Ethiopia Boundary Commission (EEBC)—issued a decision in April 2002 and follow-up observations in March 2003 delimiting the border between the two countries, but thus far the parties have not agreed to final demarcation. The United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) peacekeeping mission patrols a 25-kilometerwide Temporary Security Zone (TSZ) between the two countries; a few minor incidents of violence have occurred, all between local villagers and militia or armed opposition groups supported by the other side. Both countries insist they will not instigate fighting, but both also remain prepared for any eventuality. Ethiopia's borders with Sudan and Somalia contributes to tension with the National Islamic Front regime in Sudan and several groups in Somalia. Ethiopia has recently entered into a loose tripartite (nonmilitary) cooperation with Sudan and Yemen aimed at Eritrea, as all three countries have disputes with Eritrea over border and other issues.

U.S.-ETHIOPIA RELATIONS

U.S.-Ethiopian relations were established in 1903 and were good throughout the period prior to the Italian occupation in 1935. After World War II, these ties strengthened on the basis of a September 1951 treaty of amity and economic relations. In 1953, two agreements were signed: a mutual defense assistance agreement, under which the United States agreed to furnish military equipment and training, and an accord regularizing the operations of a U.S. communication facility at Asmara. Through fiscal year 1978, the United States provided Ethiopia with $282 million in military assistance and $366 million in economic assistance in agriculture, education, public health, and transportation. A Peace Corps program emphasized education, and U.S. Information Service educational and cultural exchanges were numerous.

After Ethiopia's revolution, the bilateral relationship began to cool as a result of the Derg's identification with international communism and U.S. revulsion at the Derg's murderous means of maintaining itself in power. The United States rebuffed Ethiopia's request for increased military assistance to intensify its fight against the Eritrean secessionist movement and to repel the Somali invasion. The International Security and Development Act of 1985 prohibited all U.S. economic assistance to Ethiopia with the exception of humanitarian disaster and emergency relief. In July 1980, the U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia was recalled at the request of the Ethiopian Government, and the U.S. Embassy in Ethiopia and the Ethiopian Embassy in the United States were headed by Charges d'Affaires.

With the downfall of the Mengistu regime, U.S.-Ethiopian relations improved dramatically. Legislative restrictions on assistance to Ethiopia other than humanitarian assistance were lifted. Diplomatic relations were upgraded to the ambassadorial level in 1992. During FY 1997, the U.S. provided about $77.2 million in assistance to Ethiopia, of which $39.9 million was food aid ($6.4 million in emergency food assistance). U.S. development assistance to Ethiopia is conditional on progress in democracy and human rights as well as economic reforms. Some in military training funds, including training in such issues as the laws of war and observance of human rights, also are provided. The Peace Corps returned about 3 years ago to Ethiopia where, in the past, it had one of its largest programs. In FY 1999, the Peace Corps had more than 100 Volunteers in-country; however, due to political instability, the Peace Corps no longer operates in Ethiopia.

Principal U.S. Embassy Officials

Addis Ababa (E), Entoto St. • P.O. Box 1014, Tel [251] (1) 550-666, Fax 551-328, Telex 21282; AMB Fax 550-342; PAO Tel 550-007, Fax 551-748; AID Tel 510-851, Fax 510-043; ADM/GSO Fax 550-774; POL/ECO Fax 550-174. E-mail: [email protected] fax 551-094; E-mail: [email protected]

Last Modified: Monday, December 15, 2003

TRAVEL

Consular Information Sheet January 13, 2004

Americans planning travel to Ethiopia should read the East Africa Public Announcement, available on the Department of State website at http://travel.state.gov. Travelers should also read the current Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, available on the same website.

Country Description: The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia is a developing east African country comprising 11 semi-autonomous administrative regions organized loosely along major ethnic lines. Tourism facilities in Ethiopia are minimal. The capital is Addis Ababa.

A border dispute between Ethiopia and neighboring Eritrea erupted in May 1998 and escalated into full-scale conflict that continued until a cease-fire was reached in June 2000. In December 2000, a peace agreement was signed between the two countries to delimit and demarcate the border. The peace process is ongoing and the border between Ethiopia and Eritrea remains closed.

Entry and Exit Req uirements: Citizens of the United States may obtain tourist/visitors visas upon arrival in Ethiopia. This service is only available at Bole International Airport, Ethiopia's main airport, in Addis Ababa. The fee of 390 birr (approximately 45 dollars (US)) is payable only in Ethiopian currency. Travelers may exchange currency upon arrival. However, because of possible confusion or delays, travelers should obtain a valid Ethiopian visa prior to arrival whenever possible. An exit visa is required if your entry visa has expired by the time of departure. In such circumstances, an exit visa can be obtained at the main immigration office in Addis Ababa only and not at Bole International Airport. Ethiopi a charges a 20 dollar (US) departure tax, payable in USD cash only.

Due to animosity stemming from the ongoing border dispute with Eritrea, U.S. citizens of Eritrean origin who seek to travel to Ethiopia may experience delays in processing of their visa applications because all such applications must be cleared through the main Ethiopian immigration office in Addis Ababa.

Laptop computers must be declared upon arrival and departure. Tape recorders require special customs permits. Prior to travel, individuals intending prolonged stays should direct their questions to the Ethiopian Embassy, 3506 International Dr., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008; telephone (202) 364-1200; fax (202) 686-9857; website www.ethiopian.embassy.org. Inquiries overseas may be made at the nearest Ethiopian embassy or consulate.

In an effort to prevent international child abduction, many governments have initiated procedures at entry/exit points. These often include requiring documentary evidence of relationship and permission for the child's travel from the parent(s) or legal guardian not present. Having such documentation on hand, even if not required, may facilitate entry and departure.

Dual Nationality: Ethiopia does not recognize dual nationality. The Government of Ethiopia considers Ethiopians who have become naturalized U.S. citizens to be Americans. Such individuals are not subject to Ethiopian military service. The Ethiopian Foreign Ministry has stated that Ethiopian-Americans are given the same opportunity to invest in Ethiopia as Ethiopians. Eritrean-Americans are treated as U.S. citizens, although the Government of Ethiopia has arrested people of Eritrean origin who initially failed to disclose their U.S. citizenship. For additional information, see the Bureau of Consular Affairs' website at http://travel.state.gov for our Dual Nationality flyer.

Safety and Security: Although Ethiopia and Eritrea signed a peace agreement in December 2000, American citizens should exercise caution if traveling to the northern Tigray and Afar regions (within 50km/30 miles of the Ethiopian/Eritrean border) because of land mines and unsettled conditions in the border area. There is a peacekeeping mission in the border area, but the border with Eritrea has not yet been finalized. U.S. citizens should stay clear of security operations and should not try to intercede with police on behalf of Eritreans or anyone else.

Since the mid-1990's, various opposition elements and government forces have clashed around Harar and in the Somali regional state, particularly near the border with Somalia. Cross-border travel by road from Ethiopia into Somalia is not advised. Somali groups affiliated with terrorist organizations may occasionally operate within the Somali, Oromiya, and Afar regions.

Interethnic clashes are prevalent in the western-most tip of the Gambella Region in west Ethiopia. A flare-up of interethnic conflict from December 13-17, 2003 has claimed many lives. Travel to this region is not recommended.

Travel in Ethiopia via rail is strongly discouraged due to episodes of derailment, sabotage, and bombings as recently as February 2003.

In southern Ethiopia along the Kenyan border, banditry and incidents involving ethnic conflicts are also common. Travelers should exercise caution when traveling to any remote area of the country, including the borders with Eritrea, Somalia, Kenya and Sudan. Ethiopian security forces do not have a widespread presence in those regions.

For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Internet website at http://travel.state.gov where the current Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, the East Africa Public Announcement, as well as consular information for other countries, such as Travel Warnings and Public Announcements can be found.

Crime Information: Crime is a growing problem in Addis Ababa. Pick pocketing, "snatch and run," and other petty crimes are common. Travelers should exercise caution in crowded areas such as the Mercato in Addis Ababa, Africa's largest open-air market. Visitors should limit the amount of cash they carry and leave valuables, such as passports, jewelry, and airline tickets in a hotel safe or other secure place. Keep wallets and other valuables where they will be less susceptible to pick pockets.

Travelers should be cautious at all times when traveling on roads in Ethiopia. There are reports of highway robberies, including carjackings, by armed bandits throughout the country. Some incidents have been accompanied by violence. Travelers are cautioned to limit road travel outside major towns or cities to daylight hours and travel in convoys, if possible.

The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to local police and to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. If you are the victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local police, please contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for assistance. The Embassy/Consulate staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate medical care, to contact family members or friends and explain how funds could be transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed.

The pamphlets A Safe Trip Abroad and Tips for Travelers to Sub-Saharan Africa provide useful information on personal security while traveling abroad and on travel in the region. Both are available via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov or from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, or via the internet at http://www.gpoaccess.gov.

Medical Facilities: Health facilities are extremely limited in Addis Ababa and completely inadequate outside the capital. Although physicians are generally well trained, even the best hospitals in Addis Ababa suffer from inadequate facilities, antiquated equipment, and shortages of supplies (particularly medicine). Emergency assistance is limited. Travelers must carry their own supplies of prescription drugs and preventive medicines, as well as a doctor's note describing the medication. If the quantity of drugs exceeds that which would be expected for personal use, a permit from the Ministry of Health is required.

Medical Insurance: The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. U.S. medical insurance plans seldom cover health costs incurred outside the United States unless supplemental coverage is purchased. Further, U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside the United States. However, many travel agents and private companies offer insurance plans that will cover health care expenses incurred overseas including emergency services such as medical evacuations.

When making a decision regarding health insurance, Americans should consider that many foreign doctors and hospitals require payment in cash prior to providing service and that a medical evacuation to the U.S. may cost well in excess of $50,000. Uninsured travelers who require medical care overseas often face extreme difficulties. When consulting with your insurer prior to your trip, ascertain whether payment will be made to the overseas healthcare provider or whether you will be reimbursed later for expenses you incur. Some insurance policies also include coverage for psychiatric treatment and for disposition of remains in the event of death.

Useful information on medical emergencies abroad, including overseas insurance programs, is provided in the Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs brochure, Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad, available via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page.

Other Health Information: Ethiopia is a mountain ous country in which the high altitude may cause health problems even for healthy travelers. Addis Ababa is located at an altitude of 8,000 feet. Individuals may experience shortness of breath, fatigue, nausea, headaches, and inability to sleep.

Malaria is prevalent in Ethiopia outside of Addis Ababa. Travelers outside of Addis Ababa should take malaria prophy laxis. P. falciparum malaria, the serious and sometimes fatal strain in Ethiopia, is resistant to the anti-malarial drug chloroquine. Because travelers to Ethiopia are at high risk for contracting malaria, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises that travelers should take one of the following antimalarial drugs: mefloquine (Lariam™), doxycycline, or atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone™). The CDC has determined that a traveler who is on an appropriate antimalarial drug has a greatly reduced chance of contracting the disease. In addition, other personal protective measures, such as the use of insect repellents, help to reduce malaria risk. Travelers who become ill with a fever or flu-like illness while traveling in a malaria-risk area and up to one year after returning home should seek prompt medical attention and tell the physician their travel history and what antimalarials they have been taking. For additional information on malaria, protection from insect bites, and antimalarial drugs, please visit the CDC Travelers' Health website at http://www.cdc.gov/travel/malinfo.htm.

Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747); fax 1-888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299), or via the CDC's Internet site at http://www.cdc.gov/travel. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, consult the World Health Organization's website at http://www.who.int/en. Further health information for travelers is available at http://www.who.int/ith.

Traffic Safety and Road Conditions: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Ethiopia is provided for general reference only and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.

Safety of Public Transportation: Poor
Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance: Fair
Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance: Poor
Availability of Roadside Assistance: Poor

While travel on both paved and unpaved roads is generally considered safe, land mines and other anti-personnel devices can be encountered on isolated dirt roads that were targeted during various conflicts. Before undertaking any off-road travel, it is advisable to inquire of local authorities to ensure that the area has been cleared of mines. Excessive speed, unpredictable local driving habits, pedestrians and livestock in the roadway, and the lack of basic safety equipment on many vehicles are daily hazards on Ethiopian roads. In addition, road travel after dark outside Addis Ababa and other cities is dangerous and discouraged due to broken-down vehicles left on the roads, pedestrians using the roads, stray animals, and the possibility of armed robbery. Road lighting in cities is inadequate at best and nonexistent outside of cities.

For additional general information about road safety, including links to foreign government sites, see the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs website at http://travel.state.gov/road_safety.html.

Aviation Safety Oversight: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of Ethiopia's civil aviation authority as Category 1 — in compliance with international aviation safety standards for oversight of Ethiopia's air carrier operations.

For further information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation within the U.S. at 1-800-322-7873, or visit the FAA's Internet website at http://www.faa.gov/avr/iasa/index.cfm. The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) separately assesses some foreign air carriers for suitability as official providers of air services. For information regarding the DOD policy on specific carriers, travelers may contact DOD at (618) 229-4801.

The Ethiopian government has closed air routes near the border with Eritrea and has referred to the airspace as a "no-fly zone." The FAA currently prohibits U.S. aircraft and U.S. pilots from flying in Ethiopian airspace north of 12 degrees north latitude, the area along the country's northern border with Eritrea. For complete information on this flight prohibition, travelers may visit the FAA's website at http://www.faa.gov/avr/arm/sfar87.doc.

Customs Restrictions: Permits are required before either antiques or animal skins can be exported from Ethiopia. Antique religious artifacts, including "Ethiopian" crosses, require documentation from the National Museum in Addis Ababa for export.

Criminal Penalties: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating Ethiopian laws, even unknowingly, may be arrested, imprisoned, or expelled. Penalties for possession, use or trafficking in illegal drugs in Ethiopia are strict and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and heavy fines. The use of the mild stimulant "khat" is legal in Ethiopia, but it is considered an illegal substance in many other countries, including the United States.

Currency Issues: Visitors must declare foreign currency upon arrival and may be required to present this declaration when applying for an exit visa. Official and black market exchange rates are nearly the same. Penalties for exchanging money on the black market range from fines to imprisonment. Credit cards are not accepted at most hotels, restaurants, shops, or other local facilities, although they are accepted at the Hilton and Sheraton Hotels in Addis Ababa. Foreigners are generally required to pay for hotel and car rental in foreign currency.

Photography Restrictions: Ethiopian law strictly prohibits the photographing of military installations, police/military personnel, industrial facilities, government buildings, and infrastructure (roads, bridges, dams, airfields, etc.). Such sites are rarely marked clearly. Travel guides, police, and Ethiopian officials can advise if a particular site may be photographed. Photographing prohibited sites may result in the confiscation of film and camera.

Disaster Preparedness: There is a high risk of earthquakes in Ethiopia. Buildings may collapse due to strong tremors. General information about natural disaster preparedness is available via the Internet from the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at http://www.fema.gov/.

Children's Issues: For information on international adoption of children and international parental child abduction, please refer to our Internet site at http://travel.state.gov/children's_issues or telephone 202-736-7000. For specific information please consult the U.S. Embassy Addis Ababa website at the internet address listed in the following paragraph.

Registration/Embassy Location: U.S. citizens are encouraged to register at the U.S. Embassy and to obtain updated information on travel and security in Ethiopia. Biographic information, passport data, and the itinerary may be faxed directly to the consular section at 251-1-551-094.

The U.S. Embassy is located at Entoto Avenue, P.O. Box 1014, in Addis Ababa, telephone: 251-1-550-666, extension 316/336; emergency after-hours telephone: 251-1-552-558; consular fax: 251-1-551-094; website: http://addisababa.usembassy.gov/.

Public Announcement December 23, 2003

This Public Announcement is being issued to alert U.S. citizens to security concerns in the southwestern Gambella Region of Ethiopia. This Public Announcement expires on March 19, 2004.

On December 13, 2003, eight people were killed when an Ethiopian vehicle carrying Ethiopian refugee officials was attacked in the Gambella Region, which borders Sudan. Following this latest incident, UNHCR withdrew non-essential personnel from Gambella.

Inter-ethnic clashes are prevalent in the western-most tip of the Gambella Region in west Ethiopia. Travel to this region is not recommended. Visitors should seek current guidance from the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa or from local officials before traveling to areas along the Ethiopia/Sudan border.

U.S. citizens planning to travel to Ethiopia should consult the Department of State's Consular Information Sheet for Ethiopia, the East Africa Public Announcement and the most recent Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, which are available via the Internet at http://travel.state.gov. American citizens may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States, or 317-472-2328 from overseas.

U.S. citizens visiting or resident in Ethiopia are encouraged to register at the U.S. Embassy and obtain updated information on travel and security from the Embassy before traveling in Western Ethiopia. The U.S. Embassy is located at Entoto Avenue, P.O. Box 1014, in Addis Ababa, telephone: [251] (1) 550-666, extension 316/336; emergency after-hours telephone: [251] (1) 552-558; consular fax: [251] (1) 551-094; website: http://usembassy.state.gov/ethiopia.