Background Notes: Chile, October 1998

Released by the Bureau of Inter-American Affairs

U.S. Department of State

OFFICIAL NAME: Republic of Chile

PROFILE
Geography
Area: 756,945 sq. km. (302,778 sq. mi.); nearly twice the size of California.
Cities: Capital--Santiago (metropolitan area est. 5.2 million). Other cities--Concepcion-
Talcahuano (840,000); Vina del Mar-Valparaiso (800,000); Antofagasta (245,000);
Temuco (230,000).
Terrain: Desert in north; fertile central valley; volcanoes and lakes toward the south,
giving way to rugged and complex coastline; Andes Mountains on the eastern border.
Climate: Arid in north, Mediterranean in the central portion, cool and damp in south.
People
Nationality: Noun and adjective--Chilean(s).
Population (1997): 14.6 million.
Annual population growth rate: 1.5%.
Ethnic groups: Spanish-Native-American (mestizo), European, Native-American.
Religions: Roman Catholic 89%; Protestant 11%.
Language: Spanish.
Education: Years compulsory--8. Attendance--3 million. Adult literacy rate--94%.
Health: Infant mortality rate--17/1,000. Life expectancy--72 yrs.
Work force (5.2 million): Services and government--36%. Industry and commerce--34%.
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing--14%. Construction--7%. Mining--2%.
Government
Type: Republic.
Independence: September 18, 1810.
Constitution: Promulgated September 11, 1980; effective March 11, 1981; amended in
1989 and 1993.
Branches: Executive--president. Legislative--bicameral legislature. Judicial--
Constitutional Tribunal, Supreme Court, court of appeals, military courts.
Administrative subdivisions: 12 numbered regions, plus Santiago metropolitan region,
administered by appointed "intendentes," regions are divided into provinces, administered
by appointed governors; provinces are divided into municipalities administered by
elected mayors.
Political parties: Major parties are the Christian Democrat Party, the National Renewal
Party, the Party for Democracy, the Socialist Party, the Independent Democratic Union,
and the Radical Social Democratic Party. The Communist Party has not won a
congressional seat in the last three elections.
Suffrage: Universal at 18, including foreigners legally resident for more than 5 years.
Economy (1997)
GDP: $77.1 billion.
Annual real growth rate: 7.1%.
Per capita GDP: $5,280.
Mining (8.2% of GDP): Copper, iron ore, nitrates, precious metals, and molybdenum.
Forestry, agriculture and fisheries (7.5% of GDP): Products--wheat, potatoes, corn, sugar
beets, onions, beans, fruits, livestock, fish.
Industry (15.3% of GDP): Types--mineral refining, metal manufacturing, food
processing, fish processing, paper and wood products, finished textiles.
Trade (1996): Exports--$15.4 billion: copper, fishmeal, fruits, wood products, paper
products. Major markets--EU 24%, U.S. 17%, Japan 16%, U.K. 6%, Brazil 6%, South
Korea 6%, Germany 5%, Argentina 5%. Imports--$17.4 billion: petroleum, chemical
products, capital goods, vehicles, electronic equipment, consumer durables, machinery.
Major suppliers--U.S. 24%, EU 20%, Argentina 9%, Brazil 6%, Japan 5%, Germany 4%.
U.S.-CHILEAN RELATIONS
Relations between the United States and Chile are better now than at any other time in
history. The United States Government applauded the rebirth of democratic practices in
Chile in the late 1980s and early 1990s and sees the maintenance of a vibrant democracy
and a healthy and sustainable economy as among the most important U.S. interests in
Chile. President Eduardo Frei's February 1997 state visit to the United States forged close
ties with President Clinton, leading to the latter's state visit to Chile in April 1998. The
two governments consult frequently on issues of mutual concern, and dialogue takes
place in four bilateral commissions (covering defense, global security, agriculture, trade
and investment, and bilateral issues).
Many other prominent Americans and senior U.S. officials visited Chile during the period
1995-1998, including Hillary Rodham Clinton, ex-Presidents Carter, Bush, and Ford,
former Secretary of State Christopher, Secretary of State Albright, Secretary of Defense
Cohen, many other members of the Cabinet and Congress, and senior members of the
U.S. military, addressing issues ranging from education to international trade.
The warm relationship enjoyed by the United States and Chile today contrasts with the
difficult period of relations during Augusto Pinochet's military regime from 1973-90. A
1976 car bomb attack in Washington, DC, which killed Orlando Letelier, former Chilean
ambassador to the United States and a member of President Salvador Allende's cabinet,
and U.S. citizen Ronni Moffitt, caused a sharp deterioration in relations, including a ban
on security assistance and arms sales to Chile. In response to a commitment by President
Aylwin's Government to pursue the Letelier-Moffitt case within the Chilean judicial
system, President Bush lifted the sanctions. A Chilean court subsequently convicted two
Chilean military officers of having ordered the assassination. The goal of U.S. foreign
policy in Chile is to pursue expanded economic relations and to cooperate on a range of
bilateral and multilateral issues of interest. Above all, the United States believes that an
economically strong and democratically healthy Chile will benefit the entire hemisphere.
U.S. Embassy Functions
In addition to working closely with Chilean Government officials to strengthen our
bilateral relationship, the U.S. Embassy in Santiago provides a wide range of services to
U.S. citizens and businesses in Chile. (Please see the Embassy's home page:
[Link] for details of these services.) The embassy is also the locus for
a number of American community activities in the Santiago area.
Attaches at the embassy from the Foreign Commercial Service and Foreign Agriculture
Service work closely with the hundreds of U.S. companies which maintain offices in
Chile. These officers provide information on Chilean trade and industry regulations and
administer several programs intended to support U.S. companies starting or maintaining
business ventures in Chile.
The Consular section of the embassy provides vital services to the more than 7,000 U.S.
citizens residing in Chile. Among other services, the Consular section assists Americans
who wish to participate in U.S. elections while abroad and provides U.S. tax information.
Besides the U.S. residents living in Chile, over 80,000 U.S. citizens visit annually. The
Consular section offers passport and emergency services to U.S. tourists as needed during
their stay in Chile. It also issues over 60,000 visitors' visas annually to Chilean citizens
who plan to travel to the U.S.
The U.S. Information Services' public affairs office is available to assist U.S. journalists
in-country.
Principal U.S. Embassy Officials
Ambassador--John O'Leary
Deputy Chief of Mission--James J. Carragher
Economic and Political Counselor--Stephen Wesche
Agricultural Counselor--Richard J. Blabey
Consul General--Carl Troy
Administrative Counselor--David Davison
Commercial Counselor--John Harris
Defense Attache--Capt. Thomas L. Breitinger, USN
Public Affairs Officer--Kathleen Brion
Milgroup Commander--Col. Mark Mayer
The U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Santiago are located at 2800 Andres Bello Avenue,
Las Condes, (tel. 562-232-2600; fax: 562-330-3710). The mailing address is Casilla 27-
D, Santiago, Chile. The embassy's home page is at: [Link]
ECONOMY
Chile's economy, spurred by free market-oriented policies, has averaged a real growth
rate of almost 8% per year over the past decade. A limited government role in the
economy, openness to international trade and investment, high domestic savings and
investment rates, and budget surpluses have made this performance possible. The
economy's rapid growth has led to steady increases in wages and living standards.
In 1997, the economy grew by 7.1% in real terms as the inflation rate fell to 6.0%. With
investment continuing at a record pace, the economy is expected to continue growing
quite vigorously over the next several years. The late-1997/98 financial crisis in Asia is
expected to negatively affect Chilean exports and reduce Chile's substantial trade surplus
with the region; the Asian crisis is expected to reduce Chilean GDP expansion
significantly, resulting in a growth rate between 4.5-5.0% in 1998. In 1999, observers
expect growth to be in the 2.5-3.0% range.
Chile has achieved central government budget surpluses every year since 1988. In 1997,
the surplus equaled 1.9% of GDP. The 1973-90 military government sold many state-
owned companies, and the two democratic governments since 1990 have continued
privatization at a more sporadic pace. Import tariffs are a flat 11% on nearly all products
and the GOC plans to reduce the rate gradually over the next 5 years.
Policy measures such as the privatization of the national pension system encourage
domestic investment, contributing to an estimated total domestic savings rate of
approximately 23% of GDP in 1997. The foreign investment law offers investors
basically the same treatment as domestic firms, along with some extra guarantees.
Wages have risen faster than inflation each year since 1990; nearly all of this growth
reflects greater productivity. The higher wages have increased living standards and have
brought more people into the labor force. The share of Chileans with incomes below the
poverty line (roughly $4,000/year for a family of four) fell from 46% of the population in
1987 to 23% in 1997. Unemployment has varied with the business cycle in recent years,
with annual rates of between 4.5%-6.0%.
Inflation has declined every year since 1990, when the indicator stood at 27%. In 1996,
December-to-December inflation stood at 8.2%, and it fell to 6.1 % in 1997. Because
most wage settlements and spending decisions are indexed, either formally or informally,
it has been difficult to reduce inflation rapidly while maintaining high growth rates. Still,
the independent Central Bank has been willing to raise interest rates when necessary to
bring down inflation.
The establishment of a compulsory private sector pension system in 1981 was an
important step toward increasing domestic savings and the pool of investment capital.
Under this system, all workers must pay 10% of their salaries into privately managed
funds. This large capital pool has been supplemented by substantial foreign investment.
Total public and private investment in the Chilean economy is very high; in 1997,
investment accounted for 33% of GDP, a historical record. The government recognizes
the necessity of steadily increasing private investment to boost worker productivity. The
government is also encouraging diversification to non-traditional exports such as fruit,
wine, and fish to gradually reduce the relative importance of basic traditional exports
such as copper, timber, and other natural resources.
Chile's welcoming attitude toward foreign direct investment is codified in the country's
Foreign Investment Law, which gives foreign investors the same treatment as Chileans.
Registration is simple and transparent, and foreign investors are guaranteed access to the
official foreign exchange market to repatriate their profits and capital. However, such
capital must be kept in Chile for 1 year before being repatriated.
Foreign direct investment in Chile continued at a record pace in 1997, adding $5.0 billion
to the total stock. Total foreign investment flows in 1998 (including portfolio and other
indirect forms of investment) were $8.1 billion, or better than 10% of GDP.
Foreign Trade
Chile's economy is highly dependent on international trade. In 1997, exports reached
$17.0 billion and imports $18.9 billion. Exports accounted for 22% of GDP. Chile has
traditionally been dependent upon copper exports. The state-owned firm CODELCO is
the world's largest copper producing company. Foreign private investment has developed
many new mines, and the private sector produces more copper than CODELCO. Copper
output is expected to increase significantly in the next few years as more private sector
projects come on stream.
Non-traditional exports have grown faster than those of copper and other minerals. In
1975, non-mineral exports made up just over 30% of total exports; in 1997, they
accounted for 52% of export earnings. The most important non-mineral exports are
forestry and wood products, fresh fruit and processed food, fishmeal and seafood, and
other manufactured products.
Chile's export markets are geographically diverse. Asia and the European Union are the
largest regional markets. The U.S., the largest single market, takes in about 17% of
Chile's exports. Latin America has been the fastest-growing export market in recent
years. The government actively seeks to promote Chile's exports globally. Since 1991,
Chile has signed free trade agreements with Canada, Mexico, Venezuela, Colombia, and
Ecuador. An association agreement with MERCOSUR (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and
Uruguay) went into effect in October 1996. Chile has joined the Asia-Pacific Economic
Cooperation (APEC) organization in an effort to boost commercial ties to Asian markets.
Also, Chile and the European Union plan to negotiate a trade agreement in the medium-
term. Chile shares the U.S. interest in negotiating a comprehensive trade agreement
between the two countries. This is due in large part because the United States is the
country's most important single trading partner and source of foreign investment; both
countries also recognize that the example it would set for broader hemispheric trade
integration would be in each other's interest. Chile's 1996 free trade agreement with
Canada was modeled largely on NAFTA in anticipation of an eventual trade pact with the
United States; similarly, Chile broadened its bilateral free trade agreement with Mexico
in March 1998.
Imports have grown along with the economy in the past few years. The country's high
investment rate is reflected in the fact that capital goods make up almost 30% of total
imports. The United States is Chile's largest single supplier, supplying 23% of the
country's imports in 1997. Import tariffs are currently a flat 11% on nearly all products
although higher effective tariffs can be charged on imports of wheat, wheat flour,
vegetable oils, and sugar as a result of a system of import price bands.
Finance
Chile's financial sector has grown faster than other areas of the economy over the last few
years; a banking law reform approved in 1997 broadened the scope of permissible foreign
activity for Chilean banks. Domestically, Chileans have enjoyed the recent introduction
of new financial tools such as home equity loans, currency futures and options, factoring,
leasing, and debit cards. The introduction of these new products has been accompanied
by increased use of traditional instruments such as loans and credit cards. Chile's private
pension system, with assets worth over $30 billion at the end of 1997, has provided an
important source of investment capital for the stock market. The number of firms with
shares traded on the stock market continues to grow.
Chile's credit rating is one of the best in Latin America. In recent years, many Chilean
companies have sought to raise capital abroad due to the relatively lower interest rates
outside of Chile. There are three main ways Chilean firms raise funds abroad: bank loans,
issuance of bonds, and the selling of stock on U.S. markets through American Depository
Receipts (ADRs). Nearly all of the funds raised go to finance investment.
The government is rapidly paying down its foreign debt. The combined public and
private foreign debt was roughly 35% of GDP at the end of 1997, low by Latin American
standards.
GOVERNMENT AND POLITICAL CONDITIONS
Following a coup in 1973, Chile was ruled by a military regime headed by General
Augusto Pinochet until 1990. The first years of the regime were marked by serious
human rights violations. In its later years, however, the regime gradually permitted
greater freedom of assembly, speech, and association, to include trade-union activity.
In contrast to its authoritarian political rule, the military government pursued decidedly
laissez faire economic policies. During its 16 years in power, Chile moved away from
economic statism toward a largely free-market economy and that fostered an increase in
domestic and foreign private investment.
General Pinochet was denied a second 8-year term as President in a national plebiscite in
1988. In December 1989, Christian Democrat Patricio Aylwin, running as the candidate
of a multi-party, center-left coalition, was elected president. In the 1993 election,
Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle of the Christian Democratic Party was elected president for a 6-
year term and took office in March 1994.
Chile's constitution was approved in a September 1980 national plebiscite. It entered into
force in March 1981. After Pinochet's defeat in the 1988 plebiscite, the constitution was
amended to: ease provisions for future amendments to the constitution; create 9 appointed
or "institutional" senators; and diminish the role of the National Security Council by
equalizing the number of civilian and military members (4 members each).
Chile's bicameral Congress has a 48-seat Senate (38 elected, 9 appointed, 1 for life) and a
120-member Chamber of Deputies. Deputies are elected every 4 years. Senators serve for
8 years with staggered terms. The current Senate contains 20 members from the center-
left governing coalition, 18 from the rightist opposition. In March 1998, 9 newly
appointed institutional senators--replacing those appointed under the former military
government in 1989--took seats, as did ex-President Pinochet, who became a "senator for
life" (Chile's constitution provides that ex-Presidents who have served at least 6 years
shall be entitled to a lifetime senate seat.) Both the Aylwin and Frei Administrations have
proposed unsuccessfully the abolition of the 9 appointed Senate seats. The last
congressional elections were held in December 1997. The current lower house (the
Chamber of Deputies) contains 70 members of the governing coalition and 50 from the
rightist opposition. The Congress is located in the port city of Valparaiso, about 140
kilometers (84 mi.) west of the capital, Santiago.
Chile's congressional elections are governed by a unique binomial system that rewards
coalition slates. Each coalition can run two candidates for the two Senate and two lower
chamber seats apportioned to each chamber's electoral districts. Typically, the two largest
coalitions split the seats in a district. Only if the leading coalition ticket outpolls the
second-place coalition by a margin of more than 2-to-1 does the winning coalition gain
both seats.
The political parties with the largest representation in the current Chilean Congress are
the centrist Christian Democrat Party and the center-right National Renewal Party. The
Communist Party and the small Humanist Party failed to gain any seats in the 1997
elections.
Chile's judiciary is independent and includes a court of appeal, a system of military
courts, a constitutional tribunal, and the Supreme Court.
National Security
Chile's armed forces are subject to civilian control exercised by the president through the
Minister of Defense. Under the 1980 constitution, the services enjoy considerable
autonomy, and the president cannot remove service commanders on his own authority.
Army. The Commander in Chief is Lt. General Ricardo Izurieta. The 55,000-person army
is organized into 6 divisions, 1 separate brigade, and an air wing.
Navy. Admiral Jorge Arancibia directs the 29,000-person navy, including 5,200 marines.
The fleet of 31 surface vessels and 4 submarines is based in Valparaiso. The navy
operates its own aircraft.
Air Force. General Fernando Rojas Vender heads a force of 15,000. Air assets are
distributed among 4 air brigades headquartered in Iquique, Santiago, Puerto Montt, and
Punta Arenas. The Air Force also operates an airbase on King George Island, Antarctica.
The Chilean police are comprised of a national, uniformed police force (carabineros) and
a smaller, plainclothes investigations police force. After the military coup in September
1973, the Chilean national police were incorporated into the Defense Ministry. With the
return of democratic government, the police were placed under the operational control of
the Interior Ministry, but remain under the nominal control of the Defense Ministry.
General Manuel Ugarte, who directs the national police force of 27,000, is responsible for
law enforcement, traffic management, narcotics suppression, border control, and counter-
terrorism throughout Chile.
PEOPLE
About 85% of Chile's population live in urban centers with 40% living in greater
Santiago. Most have Spanish ancestry. A small, yet influential, number of Irish and
English immigrants came to Chile during the colonial period. German immigration began
in 1848 and lasted for 90 years; the southern provinces of Valdivia, Llanquihue, and
Osorno show a strong German influence. Other significant immigrant groups are Italian,
Croatian, French, and Middle Eastern. About 400,000 Native Americans, mostly of the
Mapuche tribe, reside in the south-central area.
The northern Chilean desert contains great mineral wealth, primarily copper and nitrates.
The relatively small central area dominates the country in terms of population and
agricultural resources. This area is also the historical center from which Chile expanded
until the late 19th century, when it incorporated its northern and southern regions.
Southern Chile is rich in forests and grazing lands and features a string of volcanoes and
lakes. The southern coast is a labyrinth of fjords, inlets, canals, twisting peninsulas, and
islands. It also has small, rapidly declining petroleum reserves, which supplied about 8%
of Chile's domestic requirements during 1996.
HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS
About 10,000 years ago, migrating Indians settled in fertile valleys and along the coast of
what is now Chile. The Incas briefly extended their empire into what is now northern
Chile, but the area's remoteness prevented extensive settlement.
In 1541, the Spanish, under Pedro de Valdivia, encountered hundreds of thousands of
Indians from various cultures in the area that modern Chile now occupies. These cultures
supported themselves principally through slash-and-burn agriculture and hunting.
Although the Spanish did not find the extensive gold and silver they sought, they
recognized the agricultural potential of Chile's central valley, and Chile became part of
the Viceroyalty of Peru.
The drive for independence from Spain was precipitated by usurpation of the Spanish
throne by Napoleon's brother Joseph. A national junta in the name of Ferdinand--heir to
the deposed king--was formed on September 18, 1810. Spanish attempts to reimpose
arbitrary rule during what was called the Reconquista led to a prolonged struggle under
Bernardo O'Higgins, Chile's most renowned patriot. Chilean independence was formally
proclaimed on February 12, 1818.
The political revolt brought little social change, however, and 19th century Chilean
society preserved the essence of the stratified colonial social structure, family politics,
and the influence of the Roman Catholic Church. The system of presidential power
eventually predominated, but wealthy landowners continued to control Chile.
Toward the end of the 19th century, government in Santiago consolidated its position in
the south by persistently suppressing the Mapuche Indians. In 1881, it signed a treaty
with Argentina confirming Chilean sovereignty over the Strait of Magellan. As a result of
the War of the Pacific with Peru and Bolivia (1879-83), Chile expanded its territory
northward by almost one-third and acquired valuable nitrate deposits, the exploitation of
which led to an era of national affluence.
Chile established a parliamentary-style democracy in the late 19th century, which tended
to protect the interests of the ruling oligarchy. By the 1920s, the emerging middle and
working classes were powerful enough to elect a reformist president, whose program was
frustrated by a conservative congress. Continuing political and economic instability
resulted in the quasi-dictatorial rule of General Carlos Ibanez (1924-32).
When constitutional rule was restored in 1932, a strong middle-class party, the Radicals,
emerged. It became the key force in coalition governments for the next 20 years. In the
1920s, Marxist groups with strong popular support developed. During the period of
Radical Party dominance (1932-52), the state increased its role in the economy.
The 1964 presidential election of Christian Democrat Eduardo Frei-Montalva (father of
the current president) by an absolute majority initiated a period of major reform. Under
the slogan "Revolution in Liberty," the Frei Administration embarked on far-reaching
social and economic programs, particularly in education, housing, and agrarian reform,
including rural unionization of agricultural workers. By 1967, however, Frei encountered
increasing opposition from leftists, who charged that his reforms were inadequate, and
from conservatives, who found them excessive.
In 1970, Dr. Salvador Allende, a Marxist and member of Chile's Socialist Party, who
headed the "Popular Unity" (UP) coalition of Socialists, Communists, Radicals, and
dissident Christian Democrats, was elected by a narrow margin. His program included the
nationalization of most remaining private industries and banks, massive land
expropriation, and collectivization. Allende's proposal also included the nationalization of
U.S. interests in Chile's major copper mines. Elected with only 36% of the vote and by a
plurality of only 36,000 votes, Allende never enjoyed majority support in the Chilean
Congress or broad popular support. Domestic production declined, severe shortages of
consumer goods, food, and manufactured products were widespread and inflation reached
1,000% per annum. Mass demonstrations, recurring strikes, violence by both government
supporters and opponents, and widespread rural unrest ensued in response to the general
deterioration of the economy. By 1973, Chilean society had split into two hostile camps.
A military coup overthrew Allende on September 11, 1973. As the armed forces
bombarded the presidential palace, Allende reportedly committed suicide.
FOREIGN POLICY
With its return to democracy in 1990, Chile became an active participant in the
international political arena. It is an active member of the Rio Group, and it rejoined the
Non-Aligned Movement. Chile was a driving force in the world summit for social
development held in Copenhagen in March 1995. Chile is an active member of the
United Nations and the UN family of agencies, serving on the UN Security Council
1995-97. Chile participates in UN peacekeeping activities, including UNSCOM in Iraq.
The Chilean Government has diplomatic relations with most countries, including Cuba.
Chile maintains only consular relations with Bolivia; Chile's acquisition of territory
during the War of the Pacific (1879-83) continues to influence adversely its relations with
Peru and Bolivia. Chile's association with the MERCOSUR countries in 1996 and its
continuing interest in hemispheric free trade, as well as its membership in the Asia-
Pacific Economic Cooperation grouping auger well for even closer international
economic ties in the future. Politically, Chile has been one of the most active countries in
supporting implementation of the 1994 Summit of the Americas, hosting the second
Summit of the Americas in Santiago, April 1998.
Principal Government Officials
President--Eduardo FREI Ruiz-Tagle
Minister of Foreign Affairs--Jose Miguel INSULZA
Ambassador to the United States--Genaro ARRIAGADA
Ambassador to the Organization of American States (OAS)--Carlos PORTALES
Ambassador to the United Nations--Juan SOMAVIA Altamirano
Chile maintains an embassy in the United States at 1732 Massachusetts Avenue NW,
Washington, DC 20036 (tel. 202-785-1746).
OTHER CONTACT INFORMATION
American Chamber of Commerce in Chile
Vespucio Sur 80, Piso 9
82 Correo 34 Santiago
Tel: Fax: 562-290-9700
Fax: 562-206-0911/2247
Home page: [Link]
U.S. Department of Commerce
Trade Information Center
International Trade Administration
14th and Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20230
Tel: 800-USA-TRADE
Fax: 202-482-4726
Home page: [Link]
TRAVEL AND BUSINESS INFORMATION
The U.S. Department of State's Consular Information Program provides Travel Warnings
and Consular Information Sheets. Travel Warnings are issued when the State
Department recommends that Americans avoid travel to a certain country. Consular
Information Sheets exist for all countries and include information on immigration
practices, currency regulations, health conditions, areas of instability, crime and security,
political disturbances, and the addresses of the U.S. posts in the country. Public
Announcements are issued as a means to disseminate information quickly about terrorist
threats and other relatively short-term conditions overseas which pose significant risks to
the security of American travelers. Free copies of this information are available by calling
the Bureau of Consular Affairs at 202-647-5225 or via the fax-on-demand system: 202-
647-3000. Travel Warnings and Consular Information Sheets also are available on the
Consular Affairs Internet home page: [Link] and the Consular Affairs
Bulletin Board (CABB). To access CABB, dial the modem number: 301-946-4400 (it
will accommodate up to 33,600 bps), set terminal communications program to N-8-1(no
parity, 8 bits, 1 stop bit); and terminal emulation to VT100. The login is travel and the
password is info. (Note: Lower case is required). The CABB also carries international
security information from the Overseas Security Advisory Council and Department's
Bureau of Diplomatic Security. Consular Affairs Trips for Travelers publication series,
which contain information on obtaining passports and planning a safe trip abroad, can be
purchased from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, P.O.
Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954; telephone: 202-512-1800; fax 202-512-2250.
Emergency information concerning Americans traveling abroad may be obtained from
the Office of Overseas Citizens Services at (202) 647-5225. For after-hours emergencies,
Sundays and holidays, call 202-647-4000.
Passport Services information can be obtained by calling the 24-hour, 7-day a week
automated system ($.35 per minute) or live operators 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (EST) Monday-
Friday ($1.05 per minute). The number is 1-900-225-5674 (TDD: 1-900-225-7778).
Major credit card users (for a flat rate of $4.95) may call 1-888-362-8668 (TDD: 1-888-
498-3648).
Travelers can check the latest health information with the U.S. Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia. A hotline at (404) 332-4559 gives the most
recent health advisories, immunization recommendations or requirements, and advice on
food and drinking water safety for regions and countries. A booklet entitled Health
Information for International Travel (HHS publication number CDC-95-8280) is
available from the U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402, tel. (202)
512-1800.
Information on travel conditions, visa requirements, currency and customs regulations,
legal holidays, and other items of interest to travelers also may be obtained before your
departure from a country's embassy and/or consulates in the U.S. (for this country, see
"Principal Government Officials" listing in this publication).
U.S. citizens who are long-term visitors or traveling in dangerous areas are encouraged to
register at the U.S. embassy upon arrival in a country (see "Principal U.S. Embassy
Officials" listing in this publication). This may help family members contact you in case
of an emergency.
Further Electronic Information
Department of State Foreign Affairs Network. Available on the Internet, DOSFAN
provides timely, global access to official U.S. foreign policy information. Updated daily,
DOSFAN includes Background Notes; Dispatch, the official magazine of U.S. foreign
policy; daily press briefings; Country Commercial Guides; directories of key officers of
foreign service posts; etc. DOSFAN's World Wide Web site is at [Link]
U.S. Foreign Affairs on CD-ROM (USFAC). Published on an annual basis by the U.S.
Department of State, USFAC archives information on the Department of State Foreign
Affairs Network, and includes an array of official foreign policy information from 1990
to the present. Contact the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing
Office, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954. To order, call (202) 512-1800 or
fax (202) 512-2250.
National Trade Data Bank (NTDB). Operated by the U.S. Department of Commerce,
the NTDB contains a wealth of trade-related information. It is available on the Internet
([Link]) and on CD-ROM. Call the NTDB Help-Line at (202) 482-1986 for
more information.
[end document]

Back to ARA Background Notes | Back to ARA Bureau Home Page | Return to DOSFAN
Home Page. This is an official U.S. Government source for information on the WWW.
Inclusion of non-U.S. Government links does not imply endorsement of contents.