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Note: The following text is an exact quote:
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http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_2689.html

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
This information is current as of today, Fri Oct 07 2005 02:46:50 GMT-0700.

Tanzania (Zanzibar)

October 05, 2005

This Public Announcement provides security information about the Tanzanian island of Zanzibar and alerts Americans to the potential for disruptive demonstrations leading up to and following the October 30 Tanzanian elections. This Public Announcement expires on November 30, 2005.

Americans are advised to review carefully any plans to visit Zanzibar during late October and early November 2005. Tanzania will hold a general election on October 30, 2005. Previous elections generally have been peaceful on the Tanzanian mainland. But on Zanzibar (both Unguja and Pemba), violent demonstrations followed the 2000 elections and many people were killed. The demonstrations were not directed at tourists and no foreign visitors were hurt.

Tensions are already rising on Zanzibar during the run up to the October 2005 elections. Opposition party leaders have threatened to stage massive demonstrations if their conditions for a free and fair election are not met. The opposition is calling for peaceful demonstrations, but demonstrations can turn violent with little or no warning. If these demonstrations do occur, they are not expected to target foreign tourists. However, they could disrupt normal transportation and communication systems.

American citizens traveling to Zanzibar during this period are advised to maintain a high level of security vigilance at all times and to avoid political rallies and related public gatherings. Travelers are also advised to monitor the State Department’s website http://travel.state.gov for updated information.

Americans living or traveling in Tanzania are encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy through the State Department's travel registration web site https://travelregistration.state.gov, and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Tanzania. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the U.S. Embassy. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency. The U.S. Embassy is located at 686 Old Bagamoyo Road, Kinondoni District, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The international mailing address is Post Office Box 9123, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; telephone [255](22) 266-8001 and fax [255](22) 266-8238. Office hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Friday. Travelers may also contact the U.S. Embassy in Tanzania via email at consulardx@state.gov. Additional information is on the Embassy's web site at http://usembassy.state.gov/tanzania.