State issues 'Worldwide' warning of Al Qaida attacks on Americans

WASHINGTON — The United States has again warned of plans by Al Qaida to attack Americans in the Middle East.

The State Department has issued a so-called Worldwide Caution that warned of an Al Qaida attack in such regions as Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. The department said its warning was based on information that Al Qaida and aligned groups could be planning assassinations, kidnappings, hijackings and bombings.

The announcement, released on Dec. 13, superseded a similar warning issued on Aug. 2. The worldwide caution was meant to expire on June 12, 2006, Middle East Newsline reported.

"The Department of State remains concerned about the continued threat of terrorist attacks, demonstrations and other violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests overseas," the announcement said. "Ongoing events in Iraq have resulted in demonstrations and associated violence in several countries. Americans are reminded that demonstrations and rioting can occur with little or no warning."

The warning said Al Qaida could use either conventional or non-conventional weapons and focus on so-called soft targets. The State Department, reporting a heightened alert by U.S. embassies and consulates, cited the suicide bombings in four hotels in the Jordanian capital of Amman in November 2005.

"In the wake of the July 2005 London bombings and the March 2004 train attacks in Madrid, Americans are reminded of the potential for terrorists to attack public transportation systems," the announcement said. "In addition, extremists may also select aviation and maritime services as possible targets."

Note: The following text is a quote:
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http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_1161.html

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
This information is current as of today, Sat Dec 17 2005 00:06:31 GMT-0800.

Worldwide Caution

December 12, 2005

This Public Announcement updates information on the continuing threat of terrorist actions and violence against Americans and interests overseas. This supersedes the Worldwide Caution dated August 2, 2005 and expires on June 12, 2006.

The Department of State remains concerned about the continued threat of terrorist attacks, demonstrations and other violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests overseas. Ongoing events in Iraq have resulted in demonstrations and associated violence in several countries. Americans are reminded that demonstrations and rioting can occur with little or no warning.

Current information suggests that al-Qa’ida and affiliated organizations continue to plan terrorist attacks against U.S. interests in multiple regions, including Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. These attacks may employ a wide variety of tactics to include assassinations, kidnappings, hijackings and bombings.

Extremists may elect to use conventional or non-conventional weapons, and target both official and private interests. The hotel bombings in Jordan in early November illustrate how terrorists exploit vulnerabilities associated with soft targets. Additional examples of such targets include residential areas, business offices, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools, public areas and locales where Americans gather in large numbers, including during holidays.

In the wake of the July 2005 London bombings and the March 2004 train attacks in Madrid, Americans are reminded of the potential for terrorists to attack public transportation systems. In addition, extremists may also select aviation and maritime services as possible targets.

U.S. citizens are strongly encouraged to maintain a high level of vigilance, be aware of local events, and take the appropriate steps to bolster their personal security. For additional information, please refer to “A Safe Trip Abroad” found at http://travel.state.gov.

U.S. Government facilities worldwide remain at a heightened state of alert. These facilities may temporarily close or periodically suspend public services to assess their security posture. In those instances, U.S. embassies and consulates will make every effort to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens. Americans abroad are urged to monitor the local news and maintain contact with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

As the Department continues to develop information on any potential security threats to U.S. citizens overseas, it shares credible threat information through its Consular Information Program documents, available on the Internet at http://travel.state.gov. In addition to information on the Internet, travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. or outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.

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Parliament bomb hoax e-mail: Blame it on Osama

NEW DELHI: The Parliament which went into a tizzy following a bomb scare Friday morning, resumed business, after a bomb disposal unit gave an all clear sign.

Both Houses of Parliament were abruptly adjourned around 11:45 am on Friday and all members were evacuated following a bomb threat in the building.

Home Minister Shivraj Patil dispelled fears regarding security and said that there was no need to panic. The bomb threat in Parliament is being inquired into, he further said.

"There is no need to panic. Although the whole thing is being inquired into, we don't want to take any chance," Patil, said, shortly after the Parliament was evacuated following a bomb threat.

The entire Parliament complex had been thoroughly searched and nothing had been found so far. Another search was being carried out, Patil added.

Most members had moved to the Parliament library after the information was received.

The security alert was sounded after the US Consulate received an e-mail threatening a bomb blast at 11:46 am in the Parliament building. The consulate forwarded the e-mail to the Indian security agencies.

Asked whether the US Embassy tipped off the security agencies about the threat, Press Spokesperson at the mission David Kennedy said, "We do not discuss security issues in detail. You have to refer to the government of India for any further details."

Soon after the alert was received, the Prime Minister, Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee and other VVIPs were escorted out, according to a private TV news channel

MPs present in both Houses were asked to vacate the complex and the Prime Minister was sent to the South Block office. The parliament Watch and Ward staff quickly ensured that the visitors and Press galleries were evacuated.

The bomb threat on the Parliament building comes just three days after the fourth anniversary of the December 13 attack on the Parliament.

Security agencies, fire brigade and the police have conducted a search of the premises and security around the building has been tightened. Sniffer dogs have also been employed to detect the presence of any explosives.

BLOW-BY-BLOW : The US Consulate in Chennai receives an email from a group called Insha Allah -- warning that bombs will go off at 11.46 a.m. in the American consulates in India and in Parliament, demanding that New Delhi sever ties with Washington.

The message ended with a trumpeting "Long Live Osama bin Laden!" slogan. US diplomats quickly relay the message to Indian authorities.

The warning was passed on to Speaker Somnath Chatterjee and Chairman Bhairon Singh Shekhawat between 11.52 am and 11.55 am and Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was in the Parliament Building then, but not in the House. He was taken to safety immediately.

Opposition leaders L.K. Advani and Jaswant Singh declined to leave the Building, but Home Minister Shivraj Patil persuaded them to do so for the sake of larger security reasons.

There were almost 800 MPs, 1,500 staff, 300 journalists, an equal number of casual workers apart from visitors and others - totalling around 4,000 - when the building was emptied, for the first time in its history. Everyone was asked to vacate, and without any delay.

Sniffer dogs and bomb explosive experts searched even the peripheral areas of parliament. The Indian Army was called in, but it remained outside. Paramilitary personnel took up positions both inside and outside the complex, their guns drawn out.

After almost three long hours of search, authorities declared the threat was a hoax and parliament returned to business, albeit on a sombre note.

When the Lok Sabha reassembled, Speaker Chatterjee said: "No untoward incident - and no suspicious articles were found. We may nevertheless take this opportunity to reiterate our resolve to be alert and be in preparedness to combat all such threats, and nothing can cow us down."

US embassy officials here declined to discuss the reported threat, but a Parliament official read out the email that originated in Chennai: "There will be explosions in American consulates and Indian Parliament at 11.46 a.m. You should sever your relations with the US. Long Live Osama bin Laden!"

Chatterjee first adjourned the house until 1 p.m. and then up to 3 p.m.

Note: The following text is a quote:
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http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_1165.html

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
This information is current as of today, Sat Dec 17 2005 00:12:02 GMT-0800.

Middle East and North Africa

December 15, 2005

This Public Announcement is being updated to alert Americans to ongoing security concerns in the region. U.S. citizens are reminded to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness. This Public Announcement supersedes the Public Announcement issued on August 4, 2005, and expires on June 15, 2006.

Credible information has indicated terrorist groups seek to continue attacks against U.S. interests in the Middle East and North Africa. Terrorist actions may include bombings, hijackings, hostage taking, kidnappings and assassinations. While conventional weapons such as explosive devices are a more immediate threat in many areas, use of non-conventional weapons, including chemical or biological agents must be considered a possible threat. Terrorists do not distinguish between official and civilian targets. Increased security at official U.S. facilities has led terrorists and their sympathizers to seek softer targets such as public transportation, residential areas, and public areas where people congregate including restaurants, hotels, clubs, and shopping areas. The November 2005 bombings against three Western hotel chains in Jordan underscore the desire of terrorist entities to target facilities perceived to cater to Westerners. Potential targets are not limited to those companies or establishments with overt U.S. ties. For instance, terrorists may target movie theaters, liquor stores, bars, casinos or any similar type establishment, regardless of whether they are owned and operated by host country nationals. Due to varying degrees of security at all such locations, Americans should be particularly vigilant when visiting these establishments.

The Department of State continues to warn of the possibility for violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests in the region. Anti-American violence could include possible terrorist actions against aviation, ground transportation and maritime interests, specifically in the Middle East, including the Red Sea, Persian Gulf, the Arabian Peninsula and North Africa.

The Department is concerned that extremists may be planning to carry out attacks against Westerners and oil workers on the Arabian Peninsula. Armed attacks targeting foreign nationals in Saudi Arabia that resulted in many deaths and injuries, including U.S. citizens, appear to have been preceded by extensive surveillance. Tourist destinations in Egypt that are frequented by Westerners recently have been attacked resulting in many deaths and injuries, including Americans. Extremists may be surveilling Westerners, particularly at hotels, housing areas and rental car facilities. Potential targets may include U.S. contractors, particularly those related to military interests.

Americans considering seaborne travel near the Horn of Africa or in the southern Red Sea should exercise extreme caution, as there have been several incidents of armed attacks and robberies at sea by pirates in the last year. When transiting around the Horn of Africa or in the Red Sea near Yemen, it is strongly recommended that vessels travel in convoys, and maintain good communications contact at all times. For more information on piracy off the Horn of Africa, please see the East Africa Public Announcement at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_1158.html.

On occasion, the travel of official personnel at embassies and consulates around the world is restricted because of security concerns, and these posts may recommend that private U.S. citizens avoid the same areas if at all possible. Services to U.S. citizens in countries abroad may be affected if employees' movements are restricted. If this happens, U.S. embassies and consulates will make every effort to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens. In case office hours are reduced, U.S. citizens in need of emergency assistance should telephone the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate before visiting in person.

In addition, U.S. citizens planning to travel to the Middle East or North Africa should consult the Department of State's country-specific Public Announcements, Travel Warnings, Consular Information Sheets, the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement and other information, available on the Consular Affairs Internet website at http://travel.state.gov.

Citizens are urged to register and update their contact information on line in advance of travel or at U.S. embassies and consulates. Information on registering may be found at the Department of State’s Consular Affairs website: https://travelregistration.state.gov.

Up-to-date information on security conditions can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S., or for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll-free line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays.)

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