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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, Fri Jul 28 2006 17:55:12 GMT-0700.
Worldwide Caution
June 06, 2006
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 December 12, 2005 and expires on December 6, 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. Americans are reminded that demonstrations and rioting can occur with little or no warning. The publication in the international press of caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed, for example, led to widespread demonstrations and riots in several countries.
The March 2006 bombing near the U.S. Consulate in Karachi, Pakistan, illustrates the continuing desire of al-Qaida to strike official American targets. Current information suggests that al-Qaida 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 private interests or soft targets with a reduced security posture. Examples of such targets include high-profile sporting events, residential areas, business offices, clubs, restaurants, hotels, places of worship, schools, public areas and locales where Americans gather in large numbers, including during holidays. Financial or economic targets of value may also be considered as possible venues; the failed attack on the Abqaiq oil processing facility in Saudi Arabia in late February 2006 is one such example.
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.
http://www.forward.com/articles/8204
News
"Jewish Institutions Put on Alert"
By Ori Nir
July 28, 2006
ARTICLE SNIPPET: "WASHINGTON Jewish institutions across America have been put on heightened alert following reports that Hezbollah, the terrorist organization that Israel is battling in Lebanon, might attempt to strike targets outside the Middle East. The backdrop of his televised appearance was a photo of New Yorks World Trade Center as it burned after being attacked by Al-Qaeda in 2001.
The alert was issued Tuesday, before Al Qaedas second-in-command, Ayman al-Zawahiri, threatened that his organization will attack everywhere to avenge Israels bombing in Lebanon. All the world is a battlefield open in front of us, said Zawahiri, Osama bin Ladens deputy, in a taped message broadcast Thursday on Al-Jazeera, the pan-Arab television channel.
Zawahiris threat is likely to further intensify calls for Jewish institutions to be vigilant and increase security precautions in the face of potential attacks, according to officials with national Jewish groups.
The possibility of terrorist activity aimed at Israeli and Jewish targets worldwide was discussed Thursday at Israels Cabinet meeting in Jerusalem. Israeli security officials predicted that Hezbollah would seek authorization from Tehran to carry out such actions, Haaretz reported.
Hezbollah has attacked Jewish targets outside Israel in the past, albeit not in the United States."