Free Republic
Browse · Search
Smoky Backroom
Topics · Post Article

To: All

NOTE: THE FOLLOWING TEXT IS AN EXACT QUOTE:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/iraq_warning.html

IRAQ



July 20, 2004


This Travel Warning updates information on the continuing dangerous security situation in Iraq following the transfer of governing authority to the Interim Iraqi Government on June 28, 2004. The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad was established on the same day. The security threat to all American citizens in Iraq remains extremely high, with a high risk of attacks on civilians. International organizations have reduced their staff in Iraq as a result of attacks, bombings and threats to civil aviation. This supersedes the Travel Warning of June 25, 2004.


The Department of State continues to strongly warn U.S. citizens against travel to Iraq, which remains very dangerous. Remnants of the former Baath regime, transnational terrorists, and criminal elements remain active. Attacks against military and civilian targets throughout Iraq continue. Targets include hotels, restaurants, police stations, checkpoints, foreign diplomatic missions, and international organizations and other locations with expatriate personnel. These attacks have resulted in deaths and injuries of American citizens, including those doing humanitarian work. There is credible information that terrorists have targeted civil aviation. In addition, there have been planned and random killings, as well as extortions and kidnappings. Military operations continue. There are daily attacks against Multinational Forces - Iraq (MNF-I) throughout the country.


All vehicular travel in Iraq is extremely dangerous. There have been numerous attacks on civilian vehicles, as well as military convoys. Attacks occur throughout the day, but travel at night is exceptionally dangerous. Travel in or through Ramadi and Fallujah, travel between al-Hillah and Baghdad, and travel between the International Zone and Baghdad International Airport is particularly dangerous. Occasionally, U.S. Government personnel are prohibited from traveling to select areas depending on prevailing security conditions. There continues to be heavy use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) and/or mines on roads, particularly in plastic bags, soda cans, and dead animals. Grenades and explosives have been thrown into vehicles from overpasses, particularly in crowded areas. Travel should be undertaken only when absolutely necessary and with the appropriate security.


The U.S. Embassy is located in the International Zone. The Embassy can provide only limited emergency services to U.S. citizens in Iraq. At present travel to and from the International Zone is extremely limited. The U.S. Embassy does not provide visa services. American citizens who choose to visit or reside in Iraq despite this Travel Warning are urged to pay close attention to their personal security, avoid crowds, especially rallies or demonstrations and to inform the U.S. Embassy of their presence in Iraq.


American citizens may obtain the latest security information or other information about Iraq by calling the U.S. Embassy, located in the International Zone, at: 1-240-553-0584, or by e-mail: usconsulbaghdad@state.gov or via the U.S. Embassy's website: http//iraq.usembassy.gov. Their after hours number is 1-914-822-5473.
Updated information on travel and security in Iraq may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 within the United States, or, from overseas, 1-317-472-2328. For further information, please consult the Consular Information Sheet for Iraq, the current Worldwide Caution and the Middle East and North Africa Public Announcement, all of which are available on the Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet website at http://travel.state.gov.

Return to Consular Information Sheet & Travel Warnings Page


 


1,050 posted on 07/20/2004 5:54:15 PM PDT by Cindy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 928 | View Replies ]


To: All

NOTE: At this time, I do not see the July 20, 2004 travel warning for Iraq on the net. I do see the previous June 25, 2004 travel warning for Iraq on the net.

===
===

THE FOLLOWING TEXT IS AN EXACT QUOTE:
---
---

http://travel.state.gov/travel/tajikistan_announce.html

Tajikistan
July 19, 2004

This Public Announcement is being issued to remind U.S. citizens that the potential for terrorist actions against Americans in Tajikistan remains. U.S. citizens should evaluate carefully the implications for their security and safety before traveling to Tajikistan. This Public Announcement supersedes the Public Announcement dated January 20, 2004 and expires on January 18, 2005.


The political security situation in Tajikistan has improved in the last two years. Nevertheless, elements of terrorist groups allied with al-Qa'ida, such as the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), remain active in Tajikistan and still pose risks to travelers. In the past, the IMU has been responsible for hostage-takings and border skirmishes near the Uzbek-Tajik-Kyrgyz border areas. The U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe continues to observe heightened security precautions. From time to time, the U.S. Embassy restricts the travel of U.S. Embassy personnel to certain parts of Tajikistan. Before traveling outside of Dushanbe, U.S. citizens should contact the U.S. Embassy to obtain the most up-to-date security information.


Embassy staff in Dushanbe work out of an interim Embassy facility. Resources and security considerations limit the availability of some consular services. Departure options from Tajikistan may be limited in an emergency. U.S. citizens, their family members, and their dependents can maximize departure options by obtaining extended visas for travel to countries with direct flight service or reliable land connections to Tajikistan. These include Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Russia, and India, for which visas in advance are required. Other destinations, via flights twice a week only, are Turkey and Germany, which do not require American citizens to obtain visas in advance. Please note, however, that in certain emergency situations, flights may be suspended.


U.S. citizens are urged to register and update their contact information at the U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe. The Embassy is located at 10 Pavlov Street, Dushanbe, Tajikistan. The telephone numbers are 992-372-21-03-48, 992-372-24-15-60, and 992-372-51-00-29. The fax number is 992-372-21-03-62. Some consular services for Tajikistan are handled in coordination with the U.S. Embassy in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The U.S. Embassy in Almaty is located at 97 Zholdasbekova, Samal-2, Almaty 480099, tel. 7-3272-50-48-02, fax 7-3272-50-48-84.


Updated information on travel and security in Tajikistan may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 within the United States, or, from overseas, 1-317-472-2328. U.S. citizens should consult the Department of State's Consular Information Sheet for Tajikistan and the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, which are available on the Department's Internet site at http://travel.state.gov.


 


1,212 posted on 07/21/2004 3:44:44 AM PDT by Cindy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1050 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Smoky Backroom
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson