
STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL ADVISORY - Papua New Guinea
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PAPUA NEW GUINEA - WARNING
 May 29, 1992

Summary:  The Department of State warns United States citizens that
the government of Papua New Guinea (PNG) does not allow travel to
Bougainville, the largest island in the North Solomon Province of
PNG, where an armed insurgency has been active since 1989.  Papua
New Guinea will hold national elections from June 13 to July 15,
1992.  Travelers are advised to be aware of the potential for
political unrest during this period.  End Summary.

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens that the government of
Papua New Guinea does not allow travel to Bougainville, the largest
island in the North Solomon Province of PNG, where an armed
insurgency has been active since 1989.  Bougainville Island is
separated from the main island of PNG by approximately 150 miles of
water, thus, the insurgency on Bougainville has had no practical
effect on tourist or business travel in the rest of the country.

U.S. citizens should also avoid the largely inaccessible Papua New
Guinea/Indonesia border area where an Indonesian secessionist group,
the "Movement For a Free Papua" (OPM), remains active.  The OPM
kidnapped and later released an American missionary and four other
persons in November, 1990.

The Department of State advises U.S. citizens to exercise caution
when traveling to the rest of Papua New Guinea.  Hundreds of
American tourists visit Papua New Guinea annually and the vast
majority experience no problems whatsoever during their stay.
Visitors should, however, remain alert and avoid traveling alone.
Armed robberies and assaults on women remain a problem in Port
Moresby, Popondetta Lae, and Mt. Hagen, and along portions of the
Highlands Highway and the Mt. Hagen to Mendi Highway.  Visitors to
PNG should also avoid the Baiyer River area of the Western Highlands
Province.

Most other areas frequently visited by tourists, including Madang
and Rabaul, are generally safe.  Organized tour boat cruises on the
Sepik River and around PNG's coast and smaller islands have a
particularly safe track record.  Tourists traveling with
established, experienced tour agencies in PNG have had few, if any,
problems.  Walking tours in the bush, however, should be carefully
planned, including making provision for a support network of local
contacts.

The Department of State also advises travelers that PNG will
conduct national elections during June and July, 1992.  Over these
two months, an increased likelihood of civil unrest and potentially
violent political protest exists, especially in the Highland
provinces of Enga, Simbu, Eastern, Southern and Western, as well as
in the Morobe Province.  Tourists are advised to exercise particular
caution in these six provinces during the June/July period and
should avoid political rallies and campaign meetings.

U.S. citizens are encouraged to register with the United States
Embassy located on Armit Street, Paga Hill, in downtown Port Moresby
and to contact the Embassy on arrival for latest information on
local conditions.  The U.S. Embassy telephone and fax numbers are
21-1455 and 21-4213, respectively.

 No. 92-113

This advisory replaces the advisory dated November 5, 1991 to
reflect the upcoming national elections in PNG from June 13 to July
15, 1992.


