Belarus Calling Card
Poland
Unions have the right to strike except in "essential services"--uniformed services, state administration, and local government--where they only have the right to protest; however, labor leaders complain that the 1991 Act on Collective Dispute Resolution prescribes an overly lengthy process before a strike may be called. Employers consider the law too lenient, since a vote of only one-quarter of the workforce can call a strike. As a result, a majority of strikes are technically "illegal" because one or both of the sides do not follow each step exactly as required by law. Labor courts act slowly on deciding the legality of strikes, while sanctions against unions for calling illegal strikes, or against employers for provoking them, are minimal. Arbitration is not obligatory and depends on the agreement of disputing parties. Unions allege that laws prohibiting retribution against strikers are not enforced consistently and that fines imposed as punishment are s ... [Read More]
H - Europe Overview
The United Kingdom launched aggressive efforts to disrupt and prosecute terrorists. Since December 2001, the Government has detained 15 foreign nationals under its Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act, which allows extended detention of non-British nationals suspected of being international terrorists but who cannot be removed from the country immediately. The Government defeated a legal challenge to the antiterrorism law on appeal after the Special Immigration Appeals Commission ruled the law discriminatory and unlawful. Several other terror suspects also have been arrested and charged with terrorism-related offenses. In February authorities arrested Shaykh Abdullah Ibrahim el-Faisal on charges of inciting racial hatred for remarks he made calling for the murder of nonbelievers, Jews, Americans, and Hindus. He was charged with crimes under the Public Order Act and the Offences Against the Person Act. ... [Read More]
International Adoptions
3. In the case of an adopted child, the adoption must be final. VII. Frequently Asked Questions Q: Will a child who has met the requirements of the Child Citizenship Act of 2000 need to apply for a passport from the State Department or a Certificate of Citizenship from the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services in the Department of Homeland Security (BCIS) in order to become a citizen? [Read More]
Tips for Travelers to Russia
May 2001 General Information Travel and living conditions in Russia can contrast sharply with those in the United States. This brochure offers advice to help you avoid inconveniences and difficulties. The Department of State and the U.S. Embassy and consulates in Russia offer a wide range of services to U.S. citizens. U.S. consular officials meet regularly with local authorities to promote the safety of U.S. citizens in the country. ... [Read More]
Cyprus (07/05)
On April 23, 2003, Mr. Denktash relaxed many restrictions on individuals crossing between the two communities, including abolishing all crossing fees. Since then, the relaxed crossing procedures have led to relatively unimpeded bicommunal contact for the first time since 1974. Since April 2003 there have been over 7,000,000 buffer zone crossings in both directions. Greek Cypriots are currently required to present identity documents at the checkpoints along the buffer zone, something many are reluctant to do. Greek Cypriots are permitted to drive their personal vehicles in the Turkish Cypriot community, provided they first obtain a policy from an insurance provider in the north. Turkish Cypriots are permitted to cross into the government-controlled area upon presentation of a Turkish Cypriot ID card. Turkish Cypriots must also obtain car insurance from an insurer in the south to drive their personal vehicles in the government-controlled area. ... [Read More]
U.S. Senator John McCain Speech At Trinity College Dublin - U. S. Embassy Dublin, Ireland
Nowhere on the continent is this as important today as in Russia, where President Vladimir Putin rules as an autocrat. I have described as a ‘creeping coup’ his efforts to use the Chechen war to roll back the democratic gains Russia won in the 1990s. In recent months I’ve had to start calling this a ‘galloping coup.’ Mr. Putin has moved to eliminate the popular election of Russia’s 89 regional governors, and instead appoint them himself, and to eliminate independent members of parliament, so that Russians would vote not for specific candidates but rather for political parties -- the candidates of which would be chosen by party heads, like Mr. Putin. His crackdowns on independent media continue, as does the repression of business executives who oppose the President. Mr. Putin is reasserting the Kremlin’s old--style central control. Russia continues to interfere in so-called frozen conflicts in regions of Georgia, Moldova, and Azerbaijan, and maintains troops deployed ... [Read More]
Russia Federation
Migration cards, in theory, are available at all ports of entry from Russian immigration officials (Border Guards). The cards are generally left in literature racks at arrival points. Officials at borders and airports usually do not point out these cards to travelers and it is up to the travelers to find them and fill them out. From time to time, various ports of entry – even the major international airport in Moscow – run out of these cards. There is no mechanism to obtain such cards once a traveler has entered into Russia. The Russian government has not indicated what a traveler should do in such a case. ... [Read More]
US Department Of State Post Report
The Embassy has IVG access that allows employees to make long-distance calls using U.S. telephone calling cards. Get a calling card prior to your arrival. Some calling cards can also be used for long-distance calls from your home. Wireless ServiceLast Updated: 11/28/2003 10:13 AMMobile phones can be purchased locally and are very reliable in the cities. There are two standards available, Global Satellite Monitoring (GSM) and Nordic Mobile Telecommunications (NTC); GSM is preferred by most. InternetLast Updated: 11/28/2003 10:13 AM Personal computers should have dual voltage, 110 AC and 240 AC. Because local ... [Read More]
Belarus
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: Traveler's checks are not widely accepted in Belarus. Most hotels accept either American Express or Visa credit cards. In addition, one hotel in Minsk, “The Planeta,” provides cash from Visa credit cards during business hours. Travelers face arrest if they attempt to buy items with currency other than Belarusian rubles. Authorized currency exchange centers are widely available throughout major cities. ATMs are also available for use. Travelers should be aware that there is a high incidence of credit card fraud in Belarus. If they choose to use credit cards, they should regularly check their account status to ensure its integrity. ... [Read More]
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