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https://www.osac.gov/Reports/report.cfm?contentID=62466
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Warden Message: Nepal Terai Region Warning
Consular Affairs Bulletins
South / Central Asia - Nepal
25 Jan 2007
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Nepal Travel Warning
U.S. Embassy Kathmandu released the following Warden Message on January 25, 2007:
This warden's message is being issued to alert American citizens to the security situation in Nepal's Terai region. American citizens are urged to exercise special caution and should be particularly vigilant about their personal safety.
Maoist splinter groups in the Terai continue to kidnap and murder Nepalese citizens. Additionally, there has been political agitation and civil unrest, including violent clashes between political groups and the Maoists as well as inter-communal violence and opportunistic criminality. Recently, protestors attacked vehicles belonging to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the National Human Rights Commission. The random, unpredictable nature of attacks and demonstrations creates a risk to Americans of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Recently, violent protesters burned vehicles, threw rocks and burned tires to block traffic during street demonstrations.
Demonstrations can occur with little or no advanced notice and American citizens are urged to consult media sources and the Embassy's website (http://nepal.usembassy.gov) for current security information.
Given the nature, intensity and unpredictability of disturbances, U.S. citizens who travel to or reside in Nepal should factor the potential for violence into their plans, exercise special caution during times when demonstrations are announced, avoid areas where demonstrations are occurring or crowds are forming, avoid road travel during these periods and maintain a low profile. U.S. citizens are urged to register with the Consular Section of the Embassy by accessing the Department of State's travel registration site at https://travelregistration.state.gov or by personal appearance at the Consular Section. The Consular Section is located at the Yak and Yeti Hotel complex on Durbarmarg Street. The section can be reached directly at (977) (1) 444-5577 or through the Embassy switchboard. The Consular Section can provide updated information on travel and security.
For further information about security conditions in Nepal, American citizens are encouraged to refer to the Consular Information Sheet for Nepal and the current Travel Warning for Nepal issued on December 08, 2006(http://travel.state.gov). American citizens are also encouraged to refer to the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement for additional travel safety and security information. These documents are available on the homepage of the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs at http://travel.state.gov and the American Embassy in Nepal's home page at http://nepal.usembassy.gov. The State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs maintains an information line at 1-888-407-4747 toll free or (202) 501-4444 Monday through Friday (excluding U.S. Government holidays) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Specific information may also be obtained by calling the Embassy at 977-1-444-5577 during working hours and at 977-1-441-1179 during evenings and weekends and asking for the Embassy Duty Officer.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=somalia
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http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2007/s07010140.htm
ASSIST News Service (ANS) - PO Box 609, Lake Forest, CA 92609-0609 USA
Visit our web site at: www.assistnews.net -- E-mail: danjuma1@aol.com
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Muslim Gunman Attacks Somali House Church, Injuring Leader
By Michael Ireland
Chief Correspondent, ASSIST News Service
MOGADISHU, SOMALIA (ANS) -- A Muslim gunman opened fire on a Somali house church where Christians were worshipping on January 2, seriously injuring the church leader.
According to the he Washington-DC based human rights group, International Christian Concern (ICC) www.persecution.org , the worshippers were attacked in the Southern town of Tayeglow, 320 kilometers from the capital, Mogadishu.
ICC says the leader of the house church, known as "S," was hit by gunfire several times and assumed dead for about an hour before he regained consciousness. He is currently seeking medical care and his status is critical. The gunman is reportedly still threatening other Christians in the surrounding area.
Somalia Map
The ICC report states: "During the last month, Ethiopian troops assisted the provisional Somali government in pushing back the powerful Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) which had taken over and imposed Sharia law in much of Southern Somalia. Ethiopia and Somalia have been engaged in two other wars in the past. For many Somalis, Ethiopia is the enemy, and because most Somalis are Muslim, and Ethiopia is considered Christian, Somalis view Christians as enemies also. In fact, there are gunmen in the country who believe they are fully justified in attacking and killing innocent Christians."
Although the UIC is not currently in power, the combination of fresh anti-Ethiopian sentiment and the last ten years of civil and governmental chaos will likely worsen an already deadly situation for Somali Christians in 2007, the ICC report added.
Jeff King, President of ICC, said, "Even though the UIC took a thorough beating from Ethiopian forces, it does not mean they have disappeared or have no lingering influence. The desire to oppress Christianity existed long before Ethiopia put pressure on Somalia, and this house church attack is a red flag for an increase in violence and persecution for Christian believers in the Horn of Africa.”
ICC is a Washington-DC based human rights organization that exists to help persecuted Christians worldwide. ICC delivers humanitarian aid, trains and supports persecuted pastors, raises awareness in the US regarding the problem of persecution, and is an advocate for the persecuted on Capitol Hill and the State Department. For additional information or for an interview, contact ICC at 800-422-5441.
ICC (International Christian Concern) www.persecution.org.
Contact Jeff King President, 301-989-1708, icc@persecution.org
Address postal inquiries to:
International Christian Concern
2020 Pennsylvania Ave # 941
Washington , DC 20006
** Michael Ireland is an international British freelance journalist. A former reporter with a London newspaper, Michael is the Chief Correspondent for ASSIST News Service of Lake Forest, California. Michael immigrated to the United States in 1982 and became a US citizen in September, 1995. He is married with two children. Michael has also been a frequent contributor to UCB Europe, a British Christian radio station.
** You may republish this story with proper attribution.