Bulgaria Car Hire
US Department Of State Post Report
There are many acceptable and reasonable beauty shops that give both men’s and women’s haircuts as well as other services such as skin care, body care and nail care at reasonable prices. Some hair products are available locally, but employees are advised to bring a supply of their favorite brands. Photo developing facilities and print shops are available. Dry cleaning and tailoring shops are conveniently located. Car repair shops and car washes are abundant and inexpensive. ... [Read More]
France
The Government has stated its intention to introduce legislation in 2004 that prohibits the wearing of Muslim headscarves and other religious symbols by students while at public schools and by government employees at their places of work. In the past, various courts and government bodies have considered whether denying Muslim girls and women the right to wear headscarves in public schools constitutes a violation of the right to religious freedom on a case-by-case basis. In July, the President created a commission to study secularism, integration, and the place of religion in society; the commission's report, issued in December, recommended several measures to address perceived problems with integration in the country. Among the recommendations endorsed by the Government was the introduction of a law that prohibits the wearing of "conspicuous" religious symbols in schools and other public buildings; such symbols would include Muslim headscarves, Jewish skullcaps, and large ... [Read More]
US Department Of State Post Report
Athens enjoys a new modern airport which compares favorably with U.S. and other European airports. Numerous airlines connect Athens with the Near and Far East, North Africa, and Europe, often with daily flights. Daily service within Greece is available from Athens to Thessaloniki, Alexandroupolis, Kalamata, Kavala, Corfu, Crete, Rhodes, and the other larger islands. Railroad service within Greece is good but not extensive. As a maritime nation, Greece has extensive inter-island ferry and hydrofoil service. The main ports serving Athens are Piraeus and Rafina. While many cargo ships (some with passenger accommodations) go to the U.S. no direct cruise ship service is available between Greece and the U.S. U.S.-flag cargo ships, which operate between Piraeus and the U.S., do not carry passengers. Communications&n ... [Read More]
US Department Of State Post Report
Calling cards are widely used. Officers of third secretary rank and above, including the Defense and Air Attachés, should have a supply of calling cards. Normally, 200 cards a tour are sufficient, except for the Ambassador and the DCM, who should both have a minimum of 400. Officers below third secretary rank have no formal calling card requirements, but you may wish to bring some or obtain them at post. You may wish to bring a stock of high-quality blank note cards and envelopes. ... [Read More]
Europe and Central Asia
AlbaniaI. Summary Drug trafficking is a significant problem in Albania, which is a major transit country for heroin from Afghanistan and Turkey destined for markets throughout Europe. Organized crime groups use Albania as a transit point for drug and other types of smuggling due to the country’s strategic location, weak police and judicial systems, and porous borders. The most common illegal drugs are heroin, marijuana, and to a lesser extent, cocaine. Heroin is typically transported through the "Balkans Route" of Turkey-Bulgaria-Macedonia-Albania, and on to Italy, Greece and the Netherlands. Cocaine is smuggled from South America, via the United States, Italy, Spain, Greece or the Netherlands, and ... [Read More]
US Department Of State Post Report
European car parts are available and reasonable but Japanese parts are expensive. American car parts are both expensive and difficult to find. It is best to ship some items for your car such as oil filters, air filters, spark plugs, replacement windshield wiper blades, and headlights. ... International driver's licenses are useful for driving outside the country and can be obtained from AAA. Local third-party-liability insurance is mandatory under law in Serbia and Montenegro. International automobile travel insurance, which is called a green card, must be obtained not later than 1 month after your vehicle arrives at post. The green insurance card is valid for all European countries. There are different types of green card insurance depending on the length of time required. Comprehensive insurance is available, but can be very expensive. It is recommended that an insurance policy for collision be arranged with a company in the U.S. prior to arrival at post. ... [Read More]
US Department Of State Post Report
You may bring calling cards or business cards or have these printed locally, both in Macedonian and English. Local cards are good quality and reasonably priced. Staff employees will find a small number of these cards useful, but not essential. Special InformationLast Updated: 5/31/2002 6:00 PM ... [Read More]
US Department Of State Post Report
AERA, CLO, and the Marine Security Guard Detachment work together to organize holiday gatherings for the Embassy community and friends. The annual Marine Birthday Ball is one of the highlights of the fall season, followed by the International Women’s Club (IWC) Charity Bazaar in early December. Opportunities abound to devote time to charity. Many institutions for orphans and handicapped welcome volunteeres. There are two English-speaking international clubs for women, the above-mentioned IWC, and the Women’s Network, made up chiefly of working women in Sofia. Official Functions Nature of FunctionsLast Updated: 12/2/2003 11:36 AM In Sofia, there ... [Read More]
2004 Country Report on Human Rights in Bulgaria
Labor laws intended to protect the interests of persons with disabilities and create employment opportunities had mixed results. While the law provides incentives for small firms to hire persons with disabilities and requires larger businesses to hire a set quota of persons with disabilities, enforcement of the law was low and other laws--for example, requiring shorter working hours for workers with disabilities--often led to discrimination against persons with disabilities in the hiring process. High unemployment and a poor economy also undermined initiatives aimed at advancing equal opportunity for persons with disabilities; the great majority of persons with disabilities were unemployed. ... [Read More]
Bulgaria
There are few provisions for due process of law for Romani and other juveniles when they are detained in Educational Boarding Schools (formerly Labor Education Schools) run by the Ministry of Education (see Section 1.e.). Living conditions at these reform schools are poor, offering few medical, educational, or social services. Generally, staff members at many such institutions lack the proper qualifications and training to care for the children adequately. Degrading and severe punishment, such as the shaving of a child's head, reduction in diet, severe beatings, and long periods of solitary confinement, are common at the schools. Children in these institutions also do not have adequate access to medical care. Legislation provides for the court review of sentencing to such schools and addresses other problems in the reform school system (see Section 1.e.); however, these provisions do not function in practice. The decision to commit a child to an Educational Boarding School is made by a ... [Read More]
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