Note: The following text is a quote:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_tonga.html
PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
This information is current as of today, Sat Nov 18 2006 02:54:29 GMT-0800.
TONGA
November 17, 2006
This Public Announcement is being issued to alert U.S. citizens traveling to and residing in the Kingdom of Tonga that major civil disturbances have taken place in the capital, Nuku’alofa. Many fires were set on November 16 and much of the city has been made off-limits by the authorities. There is risk of continued unrest. Although none of the unrest appears to be directed at Americans, we advise Americans to avoid the downtown areas of Nuku’alofa, especially areas around government buildings. This Public Announcement expires on March 17.
The Department of State advises all American citizens contemplating travel to Tonga to be aware of these civil disturbances. All American citizens in Tonga are urged to continue to monitor events closely and to remain vigilant with regard to their personal security.
The Department of State and the Embassy in Suva are continuing to follow developments closely. For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov where the current Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, Travel Warnings, and Public Announcements can be found. Up to date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States and Canada, or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
American citizens traveling or residing in Tonga are encouraged to register with the Department of State or the U.S. Embassy. American citizens may also register at https://travelregistration.state.gov. The Embassy is located at 31 Loftus Street in Suva. The American Citizen Services Unit of the U.S. Embassy can be reached by calling (679) 331-4466 and by e-mail at consularsuva@state.gov.
Note: The following text is a quote:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_car.html
Travel Warning
United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington, DC 20520
This information is current as of today, Sat Nov 18 2006 02:56:16 GMT-0800.
Central African Republic
November 17, 2006
This Travel Warning is revised to strongly advise Americans against travel to the Central African Republic and to provide an update on the security situation. It supersedes the Travel Warning for the Central African Republic issued April 20, 2006.
American citizens are strongly advised not to travel to the Central African Republic (CAR) at this time. Americans in the CAR should consider departing. Active rebel movements, beginning with an attack from Sudanese territory and capture of the northeastern city of Birao, began on October 30 and are increasing in frequency. Rebel units are seizing territory and/or mounting attacks against military and civilian targets in all the northern prefectures of the country, from the Cameroon border on the west, along the northern frontier with Chad, up to the Sudan border on the east. Many civilians have died in these attacks. Rebel units are moving south and their leaders have announced their intention to attack the cities of Bria and Bangui unless the present government agrees to negotiations on sharing political power with the rebel front. The Government of the Central African Republic is unable to guarantee the safety of visitors to any part of the country, including the capital.
U.S. citizens already in the Central African Republic should contact the American Embassy in Bangui at once to verify their locations and contact points (see below). They should avoid travel outside the capital unless absolutely necessary and exercise caution at all times, particularly at public gatherings.
In Bangui, tensions are high due to unpaid civil servant salaries and skirmishes between government forces and opposition groups. There are approximately 300 peacekeeping troops from neighboring member countries of the Economic and Monetary Union of Central Africa (CEMAC) that move in and out of the capital. CAR security forces, sometimes with French military assistance, staff checkpoints throughout the city. Some crimes are perpetrated by uniformed CAR security and military personnel. Two World Health Organization physicians were murdered by unidentified assailants on the outskirts of Bangui in April 2006.
Outside the capital many areas are lawless; rebel groups are active in the western, northern, northeastern, and southeastern provinces. The U.S. Embassy advises its personnel to take a CAR military escort when traveling outside the capital, particularly near the borders with Chad, Sudan, and Cameroon. The country held peaceful elections in March 2005, but the country’s economic and security situations have not improved markedly. The rebels wish to overthrow the constitutionally elected president and seek new elections.
The U.S. Embassy in Bangui has just two American officers and can provide only limited emergency services to U.S. citizens.
U.S. citizens in the CAR are strongly urged to register on the State Department’s web site at https://travelregistration.state.gov. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the U.S. Embassy in Bangui. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency.
The U.S. Embassy in the CAR is located at Avenue David Dacko, B.P. 924, Bangui; tel. (236) 61-02-00; fax (236) 61-44-94. For additional information on safety and security in the CAR, contact the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Yaounde, Cameroon, at telephone (237) 223-4014, (237) 223-0512, or 223-0581; fax (237) 223-0753; web site http://yaounde.usembassy.gov/. Americans may also obtain updated information from the American Embassy in N'djamena, Chad, at telephone (235) 51-70-09, 51-92-33 or 51-90-52; fax (235) 51-56-54; web site http://ndjamena.usembassy.gov/.
U.S. citizens should also consult the Department of State's most recent Consular Information Sheet for Central African Republic and the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, which are located on the Department's web site at http://travel.state.gov. Up-to-date information on safety and security is also available at 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S. and Canada, or for callers from other countries, on a regular toll-line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).