NOTE: The following text is a quote:
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http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_929.html
Travel Warning
United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington, DC 20520
This information is current as of today, Thu Aug 31 2006 14:10:42 GMT-0700.
ALGERIA
August 31, 2006
This Travel Warning is being updated to alert Americans to ongoing security concerns in Algeria. The security environment in rural and remote areas continues to pose a significant security risk. This supersedes the Travel Warning of February 15, 2006.
The Department of State urges U.S. citizens who travel to Algeria to evaluate carefully the risk posed to their personal safety while in-country. Although Algiers and most urban centers have not experienced terrorist activity in over a year, sustained small-scale attacks including bombings, false roadblocks, kidnappings, ambushes, and assassinations occur in rural and remote sections of the country. Overland travel between major cities should be avoided at night.
The Department of State cautions those U.S. citizens who travel to the mountainous northern regions as well as the southern regions near Tamanrasset despite this Travel Warning to use reputable local agents and tour guides who are able to make reliable security arrangements.
The Government of Algeria requires U.S. Embassy personnel traveling outside the Wilaya of Algiers to seek permission and to have a security escort. Travel to the military zone established around the Hassi Messaoud oil center requires Government of Algeria authorization. Within the city of Algiers, U.S. government personnel require coordination with the Embassy’s regional security office to visit the neighborhoods of Bab Ezzouar, Bab El Oued, Baraki, Belcourt, the Casbah, El Harrach, Les Eucalyptus, and Meftah. In the rest of the city, U.S. Embassy personnel are instructed to maintain a high level of security awareness, but freedom of movement is not restricted and is comparable to that in other large cities.
The Department of State cautions Americans who reside or travel in Algeria to take prudent security measures while in the country, including making provisions for reliable and experienced logistical support. This support should include being met upon arrival and accompanied for the duration of the visit. Visitors should ensure that tour operators and host organizations perform all notifications and coordination with Algerian police and security officials during their stay. Visitors to Algeria are advised to stay only in hotels where adequate security is provided. All visitors to Algeria should remain alert and adhere to prudent security practices.
American citizens in or traveling to Algeria also are urged to register and to obtain updated information on travel and security in Algeria at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Algiers or on our travel registration website at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/. The Embassy is located at 4 Chemin Cheikh Bachir El-Ibrahimi, B.P. 408 (Alger-Gare) 16000, in the capital city of Algiers. The Embassy can be reached at telephone [213] (21) 691-425; [213] (21) 691-255; [213] (21) 691-186; or fax [213] (21) 693-979.
Note: The following text is a quote:
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http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_934.html
Travel Warning
United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington, DC 20520
This information is current as of today, Thu Aug 31 2006 14:12:21 GMT-0700.
SUDAN
August 31, 2006
This Travel Warning for Sudan reminds U.S. citizens of the continued threat of terrorism in Sudan and stresses the importance of obtaining proper travel documents before attempting entry into any part of the country. This supersedes the Travel Warning issued for Sudan on February 6, 2006.
The Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens against all travel to Sudan, particularly in the Darfur area where there is a continuing buildup of Government and rebel military forces and where violence has increased significantly. The Department continues to remind travelers that the U.S. Government has received indications of terrorist threats aimed at American and Western interests in Sudan. Terrorist actions may include suicide operations, bombings, or kidnappings. U.S. citizens should be aware of the risk of indiscriminate attacks on civilian targets in public places, which include tourist sites and locations where westerners are known to congregate, and commercial operations associated with U.S. or Western interests. As physical security remains high at official facilities, terrorists may turn towards softer targets, such as residential compounds.
Sporadic fighting instigated by militias is often reported in the southern parts of the country. Travel outside of the capital city of Khartoum is potentially dangerous. Threats have been made against foreigners working in the oil industry in Upper Nile state.
As a result of violence and banditry, the United Nations has declared many parts of Darfur “No-Go” areas for UN personnel. Due to the potential for banditry and general lawlessness in rural areas, land travel at night should be avoided.
In August, five foreigners, including two Americans, were arrested and detained in Darfur after entering Sudan via the Chadian border town of Bahai without the appropriate documentation. Several of these individuals had solicited and obtained escorts in Chad who allegedly promised to facilitate entry into Sudan but who were ultimately unable to follow through with their commitments. Americans who travel to Sudan despite this travel warning must possess a valid passport with at least six months of validity and a Sudanese visa. Travelers must apply for a visa in their own country of residence. The Sudanese Government requires that anyone seeking to enter the Darfur area, or to take photographs or perform other journalistic functions anywhere in Sudan, must obtain a special permit. This includes journalists, photographers, and other press/media employees. Additional information about entry requirements for Sudan and other countries is located on the State Department’s Internet website under Foreign Entry Requirements.
Failure to possess the appropriate travel documents and permits can result in the traveler’s arrest and detention for multiple crimes, including illegal entry, publication of false information, and espionage. If convicted, sentences range from deportation to life in prison or the death penalty.
U.S. citizens who travel to Sudan despite this Travel Warning are strongly urged to register with the Embassy in Khartoum or through the State Department’s Travel Registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency. The U.S. Embassy is located at Sharia Ali Abdul Latif, Khartoum; tel. (249-183) 774-701/2/3 (outside Sudan); tel. (0183) 774-701/2/3 inside Sudan. For after-hours emergencies, please call 249-183-774-705 and leave a message with Post One for the Consular Duty Officer.
U.S. citizens should also consult the Department of State’s most recent Consular Information Sheet for Sudan, located on the Department’s Internet website. Up-to-date information on safety and security is available toll free at 1-888-407-4747 or at regular toll rates at 1-202-501-4444 for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).