LEGAL TIPS


         Obey Foreign Laws

           When you are  in a foreign country, you  are subject to its
         law.  Learn about  local laws  an regulations  and obey them.
         Avoid  areas  of  unrest  and  disturbance.  Deal  only  with
         authorized  outlets when  exchanging money  or buying airline
         tickets and  travelers checks. Do  not deliver a  package for
         anyone unless  you know the  person well and  are certain the
         package does not contain drugs or contraband. Before you sell
         personal  effects  such  as  clothing,  cameras,  or jewelry,
         learn  the  local  regulations  regarding  such sales. Adhere
         strictly  to local  laws because  the penalties  you risk are
         severe.

           Some    countries   are    particularly   sensitive   about
         photographs.  In general,  refrain from  photographing police
         and   military   installations   and   personnel;  industrial
         structures  including harbor,  rail, and  airport facilities;
         border areas;  and scenes of  civil disorder or  other public
         disturbance.  Taking  such  photographs  may  result  in your
         detention, in the confiscation of  your camera and films, and
         the  imposition  of  fines.  For  information  on photography
         restrictions, check with the  country's tourist office or its
         embassy or consulate in the United States. Once abroad, check
         with  local authorities  or at  the Consular  Section of  the
         nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

         Drug Arrests

           About  3000 Americans  are  arrested  abroad each  year. Of
         these,  approximately  one-third  are  held  on drug charges.
         Despite repeated  warnings, drug arrests  and convictions are
         still  a   common  occurrence.  Many   countries  have  stiff
         penalties for drug violations and strictly enforce drug laws.
         You are subject  to foreign, not U.S. laws  overseas, and you
         will find, if arrested, that;

         .. Few countries provide a jury trial.

         .. Most countries do not accept bail.

         .. Pretrial  detention,  often in  solitary confinement,  may
            last months.

         .. Prisons may  lack even  minimal comforts  - bed, toilet,
            wash basin.

         .. Diets  are often inadequate  and require supplements  from
            relatives and friends.

         .. Officials may not speak English.

         .. Physical   abuse,  confiscation  of   personal  property,
            degrading  or   inhumane  treatment,  and   extortion  are
            possible.

         If you are convicted, you face a possible sentence of:

         .. 2 to 10 years in many countries.

         .. A minimum  of 6 years hard labor and  a stiff fine in some
            countries.

         .. The death penalty in some countries.

            Do not  get involved with  illegal drugs overseas,  It can
         spoil more than your vacation. It can ruin your life!


         Legal Aid

           Because  you  are  subject  to  local  law abroad, there is
         little that  a U.S. consul  can do for  you if you  encounter
         legal  difficulties. For  example, a  consular officer cannot
         get  you  out  of  jail.  What  American  officials can do is
         limited by  both foreign and  U.S. laws. The  U.S. Government
         has  neither funds  nor authority  to pay  your legal fees or
         related expenses.

           Although U.S.  consular officers cannot  serve as attorneys
         or  give  legal  advice,  they  can  provide  a list of local
         attorneys  and help  you find  adequate legal representation.
         The list  of attorneys are carefully  compiled from local bar
         association  lists  and   responses  to  questionnaires,  but
         neither  the  Department  of  State  nor  U.S.  embassies  or
         consulates abroad can assume  responsibility for the caliber,
         competence, or professional integrity of the attorneys.

           If  you  are  arrested,  ask  the  authorities to  notify a
         consular officer  at the nearest  U.S. embassy or  consulate.
         Under  international agreements  and practice,  you have  the
         right  to talk  to the  U.S. consul.  If you  are denied this
         right, be  persistent and try  and have someone  get in touch
         for you.

           When alerted, U.S. officials will  visit you, advise you of
         your rights according to local  laws, and contact your family
         and friends  if you wish. They  will do whatever they  can to
         protect your  legitimate interests and to  ensure you are not
         discriminated against  under local law.  Consuls can transfer
         money, food, and clothing to the prison authorities from your
         family or  friends. They will  try to get  relief if you  are
         held under  inhumane or unhealthy conditions  or treated less
         favorably than others in the same situation.


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