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[James Hetfield]

from US STATE DEPARTMENT
http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_998.html

RUSSIA
http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_998.html
http://www.russianembassy.org/
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: The Russian government maintains a restrictive and complicated visa regime for foreigners who visit, transit, or reside in the Russian Federation. A U.S. citizen who does not comply with Russian visa laws can be subject to arrest, fines, and/or deportation. Russian authorities will not allow a U.S. citizen traveler with an expired visa to depart the country, effectively stranding the person for up to 20 days, until local authorities grant an exit visa. The Russian visa system includes a number of provisions that may be unfamiliar to Americans, including: � Sponsorship � Entry Visas � Limitations on Length of Stay � Exit Visas � Migration Cards � Visa Registration � Transit Visas � Restricted Areas

Sponsorship: Under Russian law, every foreign traveler must have a Russian-based sponsor, which could be a hotel, tour company, relative, employer, university, etc.

Entry Visas: To enter Russia for any purpose, a U.S. citizen must possess a valid U.S. passport and a bona fide visa issued by a Russian Embassy or Consulate. It is impossible to obtain an entry visa upon arrival, so travelers must apply for their visas well in advance. U.S. citizens who apply for Russian visas in third countries where they do not have permission to stay more than 90 days may face considerable delays in visa processing. Travelers who arrive in Russia without an entry visa will not be permitted to enter the country, and face immediate return to the point of embarkation at their own expense.

Russian tourist visas are often granted only for the specific dates mentioned in the invitation letter provided by the sponsor. Limitations on Length of Stay: In October 2007, the Russian government made significant changes to its rules regarding the length of stay permitted to most foreign visitors. For any visa issued on or after October 18, 2007, unless that visa specifically authorizes employment or study, a foreigner may stay in Russia only 90 days in any 180-day period.

Exit Visas: A valid visa is necessary to depart Russia. Travelers who overstay their visa�s validity, even for one day, will be prevented from leaving until their sponsor intervenes and requests a visa extension on their behalf. Russian authorities may take up to 20 calendar days to authorize an exit visa, during which time the traveler will be stranded in Russia at his or her own expense.

Visa Registration: Travelers staying in a hotel must register their visa and migration card with their hotel within one day. U.S. citizens should be aware that Russian police officers have the authority to stop people and request their identity and travel documents at any time, and without cause. Embassy of the Russian Federation: For additional information concerning travel to Russia, U.S. citizens may contact the Embassy of the Russian Federation, Consular Section, 2641 Tunlaw Rd. NW, Washington, DC 20007, tel. 202-939-8907, http://www.russianembassy.org.

CRIME: The U.S. Embassy and Consulates General continue to receive reports of unprovoked, violent harassment against racial and ethnic minorities, including well-publicized cases in which members of minorities have been beaten and in several instances, murdered. Travelers are urged to exercise caution in areas frequented by �skinhead� groups and wherever large crowds have gathered. Americans most at risk are those of African, South Asian, or East Asian descent, or those who, because of their complexion, are perceived to be from the Caucasus region or the Middle East. These Americans are also at risk for harassment by police authorities. Groups of children and adolescents have been aggressive in some cities, swarming victims, or assaulting and knocking them down. They frequently target persons who are perceived as vulnerable, especially elderly tourists or persons traveling alone. Some victims report that the attackers use knives. Foreigners who have been drinking alcohol are especially vulnerable to assault and robbery in or around nightclubs or bars, or on their way home. Some travelers have been drugged at bars, while others have taken strangers back to their lodgings, where they were drugged, robbed and/or assaulted. In many cases involving stolen credit cards, thieves use them immediately.

A common street scam in Russia is the �turkey drop� in which an individual �accidentally� drops the money on the ground in front of an intended victim, while an accomplice either waits for the money to be picked up, or picks up the money himself and offers to split it with the pedestrian. The individual who dropped the currency returns, aggressively accusing both of stealing the money. This confrontation generally results in the pedestrian�s money being stolen. Avoidance is the best defense.

Moscow has a hemiboreal climate with warm humid summers and long, cold winters. Typical high temperatures in the warm months of June, July and August are around 22 �C (72 �F), but summary 1-2 weeks from may to september temperatures are higher than 30 �C (86 �F); in the winter, temperatures normally drop to approximately -10 �C (13 �F), though there can be periods of warmth with temperatures rising above 0 �C (32 �F).

Local transport includes the Moscow Metro, a metro system famous for its art, murals, mosaics, and ornate chandeliers. Moscow Metro is one of world's busiest metro systems, serving more than nine million passengers daily. Every large street in the city is served by at least one bus route.

UKRAINE
http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_998.html
http://www.mfa.gov.ua/usa/en/
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: U.S. citizens are exempt from the requirement to have a Ukrainian visa as long as the duration of their stay in Ukraine does not exceed 180 days and the purpose of their travel is tourism, private travel, or business. U.S. citizens whose planned stay in Ukraine exceeds 180 days must have visas authorizing their entry into Ukraine. Ukraine does not issue visas at its borders or ports of entry. Visas must be obtained in advance by those who need them. U.S. citizens may apply for all types of visas through Ukrainian Embassies and Consulates overseas. Contact details for Ukrainian Embassies and Consulates are available on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs web site at
http://www.mfa.gov.ua/mfa/en/305.htm or http://www.mfa.gov.ua/mfa/en/403.htm. Embassy of Ukraine Tel: (202) 333-0606 http://www.mfa.gov.ua/usa/en/

Ukraine is undergoing a significant economic, political, and social transformation, and income disparities have grown sharply. As a result, foreign visitors may be perceived as wealthy and easy targets for criminals. Americans often stand out in Ukraine, and are therefore more likely to be targeted than in Western European countries, where incomes are higher and Americans may blend in better.

Kiev includes the metro (underground), buses, trolleybuses and trams. The publicly owned Kiev Metro system is the fastest, affordable network that covers the city.

CZECH REPUBLIC
http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_998.html
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: The Czech Republic is a party to the Schengen agreement. As such, U.S. citizens may enter the Czech Republic for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes without a visa. The passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the period of stay. For further details about travel into and within Schengen countries, please see our fact sheet . Visas are required for U.S. citizens for longer stays and in order to work in the Czech Republic. In such cases, it is recommended that travelers obtain a visa in advance of entering the Czech Republic. The Embassy of the Czech Republic�s web site at http://www.mzv.cz/washington provides for the most current visa information. The Czech Government requires travelers to the Czech Republic to have proof of finances to pay for their stay and proof of travel/health insurance.

U.S.A., Canada, and Mexico are not required to have a tourist visa to visit the Czech Republic/Schengen area for a period of up to 90 days in the within 6 months period. Citizens of the fore mentioned countries should be insured helth wise in order to enter the Czech Republic/Schengen territory. Medical health/travel insurance that meets the following criteria: It is valid throughout the Czech Republic/Schengen territory. It is valid during the entire period that you will be in the Czech Republic/Schengen territory. The coverage is at least � 30,000 (US $45,000). NEVERMIND

NEVERMIND ALL EAST EUROPE NATIONS REQUIRE PROOF OF FUNDS AND INSURANCE