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THE FOLLOWING TEXT IS AN EXACT QUOTE:
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http://travel.state.gov/wwc1.html

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman

This information is current as of today, Fri Apr 30 2004 00:47:58 GMT-0700.

WORLDWIDE CAUTION

April 29, 2004

This Public Announcement is being updated to remind U.S. citizens of the continuing threat of terrorist actions and anti-American violence against U.S. citizens and interests overseas. This supersedes the Worldwide Caution dated March 23, 2004 and expires on October 23, 2004.

The Department of State is deeply concerned about the heightened threat of terrorist attacks against U.S. citizens and interests abroad. The Department is also concerned about the potential for demonstrations and violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests overseas. U.S. citizens are reminded to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness.

The Department of State remains concerned by indications that al-Qaida continues to prepare to strike U.S. interests abroad. Al-Qaida and its associated organizations have most recently struck in the Middle East and in Europe but other geographic locations could also be venues for attacks. Future al-Qaida attacks could possibly involve non-conventional weapons such as chemical or biological agents as well as conventional weapons of terror. We also cannot rule out that al-Qaida will attempt a catastrophic attack within the U.S.

Terrorist actions may include, but are not limited to, suicide operations, hijackings, bombings or kidnappings. These may involve aviation and other transportation and maritime interests, and may also include conventional weapons, such as explosive devices. Terrorists do not distinguish between official and civilian targets. These may include facilities where U.S. citizens and other foreigners congregate or visit, including residential areas, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools, hotels and public areas. U.S. citizens are encouraged to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness.

U.S. Government facilities worldwide remain at a heightened state of alert. These facilities may temporarily close or suspend public services from time to time 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 1-317-472-2 328.

Return to Consular Information Sheets and Travel Warnings Page

THE FOLLOWING TEXT IS AN EXACT QUOTE:
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http://travel.state.gov/meu_announce.html

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
This information is current as of today, Fri Apr 30 2004 01:57:02 GMT-0700.

Middle East and North Africa

April 29, 2004

This Public Announcement is being updated to remind U.S. citizens of the continuing threat of anti-American violence and terrorist attacks against U.S. citizens and interests, specifically in the Middle East, including the Red Sea, Persian Gulf, the Arabian Peninsula and North Africa. This Public Announcement supersedes the Public Announcement issued on March 23, 2004, and expires October 23, 2004.

In light of the ongoing tensions in the Middle East, the Department of State is concerned about the potential for demonstrations and violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests in the region and throughout the world. U.S. citizens are reminded to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness.

U.S. citizens should remain alert to the continuing threat of anti-American violence, including 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.

Credible information has indicated terrorist groups may be planning attacks against U.S. interests in the Middle East. Terrorist actions may include suicide operations, bombings, hijackings or kidnappings. These attacks may involve aviation, ground transportation and maritime interests. 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.

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, Fact Sheets, and regional travel brochures available on theConsular Affairs Internet website at http://travel.state.gov. Up-to-date information on security conditions can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 in the U.S. and for callers outside the U.S. and Canada a regular toll line at 1-317-472-2328.

Return to Consular Information Sheets and Travel Warnings Page

NOTE: The following text is an exact quote (minus the graphic and reformatted so the html will work) and is reprinted here intact with the permission of author Jeremy Reynalds.
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Jeremy Reynalds
P O Box 27693
Alb., NM 87125-7693
Tel: (505) 400-7145
www.joyjunction.org

World Vision Ad Placed Opposite Poster Offering $15 Million for Rumsfeld



    A group calling itself the Islamic Resistance is offering $15 million for the head of either U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, Lieutenant General Richard Sanchez and Brigadier General Mark Kimmitt.

    Sanchez is the commander of U.S. ground forces in Iraq and Kimmitt is the U.S. spokesman.

    The poster is being widely circulated on the Internet on a variety of radical Islamic sites (including Yahoo group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bnaat_ksa/message/714 ).

    Ironically, the poster is being displayed on Yahoo opposite a revolving series of advertisements, one of which is soliciting contributions for World Vision, a respected humanitarian development organization.

    "We are not pleased to see our ad running alongside this photo and need to see how it happened," said Amy Turner, a spokeswoman for World Vision.

    A poor (automated) translation of the Arabic accompanying the picture on the Yahoo site read in part that hundreds of these flyers have been distributed. The names of the three men featured on the poster were chosen because of their links to the killings in Falluja, the writer commented.

    The writer said the funds would be paid to whoever comes in to the Iraqi Resistance Offices with the head of one of the three individuals.

    As far as could be ascertained the writer also said that as the situation gets worse, more and more Americans will be targeted.

    On another site (http://www.iraqpatrol.com/php/index.php?%20s=2a2944c598cde8653ff85b0828dce1b0&showtopic=1781&st=0&%23entry2965 ) also featuring the wanted flyer, a number of people had posted their comments.

    One person wrote, "$15 million "is so much for little dogs like those I swear in Allah they wouldn't estimate more than 15 million cents, so would you please change that demand to 15 million cents?"

        Presumably speaking to the Iraqi Resistance Movement, the same writer told the mujahadeen in Fallujah to be patient. "Our god is with you be patient ... I can't tell how much we proud of you. my mother my father and we all pray for you. I know it is not enough to sit and pray. We have to be with you in the battlefield; just be patient. We will. I promise, we will. We (are) proud of you. You are who swept the shame of night of Bagdad defeat ..."

    Another writer also believed that $15million was too much. "I would do it for free," he said.

    The wanted poster was also displayed at
http://www.middle-east-online.com/pictures/biga/_23142_image-28-4-2004.jpg

    The Yahoo group featuring the poster has over 18,500 members and was formed on June 9 2001.

    Yahoo did not immediately return an e-mail asking for comment.