Sars, terror put third of world off-limits for NZ tourists

By STAFF REPORTERS

One-third of the world is too risky for New Zealand travellers, says the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

On a list that has grown since last year's Bali bombing, which killed more than 200 people including three New Zealanders, the ministry has named 71 countries as risky.

But Foreign Affairs spokesman Brad Tattersfield said the list was not comprehensive, because it focused on popular tourist destinations or countries where New Zealand had a diplomatic presence or direct interest.

The at-risk countries are mostly in Asia, Africa and the Middle East - all targets of terrorist bombings. Travellers are also being told to keep a close watch on personal security at ports of entry and airports in Britain and monitor heightened terrorist threats in the United States.

At the same time as the threat of terrorism is growing, the Ministry of Health is reviewing advice for travellers to Hong Kong and Guangdong province in China because of the threat of Sars. The World Health Organisations on Friday lifted warnings against travelling to these Southeast Asian destinations.

The Ministry of Health has listed China, Taiwan and Hong Kong as level-one countries - the highest level of risk - and recommended New Zealanders postpone any travel plans.

New Zealand's travel advisories recommend against non-essential travel to Indonesia in general and against any travel to Aceh, Maluku Islands, (West) Papua, Sulawesi, and the Belu district and border area of West Timor.

Singapore is considered a risk because of the Sars outbreak and Saudi Arabia is recommended only for essential travel.

Even in Nepal, where Sir Edmund Hillary is marking the 50th anniversary of climbing Mt Everest, travellers are being told to maintain a high level of personal security awareness.

Morocco, the scene of a suicide bombing in the past week, does not feature as a risky destination.

Mr Tattersfield directed travellers wanting more information toward the advisories issued by the US, Australia, Britain and Canada, which all had more diplomatic posts spread around the world.

Australia, now listed by a high-ranking al Qaeda official as a legitimate terrorist target, has warned travellers against going to 129 countries. That leaves just 62 countries in the world for Australians to plan a holiday or work in.

In the past 10 days, Australia has issued 20 upgraded travel warnings, including five in 24 hours strongly advising against travel to Indonesia, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Morocco and the US.

Australian Prime Minister John Howard and Foreign Minister Alexander Downer have denied their strong ties with the US and Britain in the war against Iraq have made Australians more vulnerable to attacks.

In Britain, the Government has given police "shoot to kill" powers and Americans are living life under a code orange terrorist threat, the second-highest level.

New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it would adopt whatever decision Ministry of Health took over Sars.

WHO director-general Dr Gro Harlem Brundtland lifted that organisation's warnings against travel to Hong Kong and Guangdong province despite the illness still being present.

The outbreaks are considered under control because there have been fewer than five new cases in both areas in the past week, the number of infectious people is below 60 and all new cases are among people known to have been in contact with a present Sars case.

Hong Kong has reported 260 Sars deaths from a total 1724 cases.

WHO warnings remain in force in Taiwan and the Chinese districts of Beijing, Hebei, Inner Mongolia, Shanxi and Tianjin.

Travel advisories

China, Taiwan and Hong Kong: Highest level of risk - postpone any travel plans.

Nepal: Maintain a very high level of personal security awareness.

Indonesia, Saudi Arabia: Recommended only for essential travel.