Note: The following text is a quote:
http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_920.html
Travel Warning
United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington, DC 20520
This information is current as of today, Fri Jun 01 2007 02:18:14 GMT-0700.
IRAN
May 31, 2007
The Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens to carefully consider the risks of travel to Iran. Dual national Iranian-American citizens may encounter difficulty in departing Iran. This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning for Iran issued October 10, 2006.
Some elements of the Iranian regime and the population remain hostile to the United States. As a result, American citizens may be subject to harassment or arrest while traveling or residing in Iran. Recently, Iranian authorities have prevented a number of Iranian-American citizen academics, journalists, and others who traveled to Iran for personal reasons from leaving, and in some cases have detained and imprisoned them on various charges, including espionage and being threat to the regime. Americans of Iranian origin should consider the risk of being targeted by authorities before planning travel to Iran. Iranian authorities may deny dual nationals access to the United States Interests Section in Tehran, because they are considered to be solely Iranian citizens.
The Iranian regime continues to repress its minority ethnic and religious groups, including Azeris, Kurds, Bahai, ethnic Arabs, and others. Consequently, some areas within the country where these minorities reside, including the Baluchistan border area near Pakistan and Afghanistan, the Kurdish northwest of the country, and areas near the Iraqi border, remain unsafe. Armed attacks on the road between Bam and Kerman this May also render this area unsafe.
Large-scale demonstrations have taken place in various regions throughout Iran over the past several years as a result of a sometimes volatile political climate. U.S. citizens who travel to Iran despite this Travel Warning should exercise caution.
The U.S. government does not have diplomatic or consular relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran and therefore, cannot provide protection or routine consular services to American citizens in Iran. The Swiss government, acting through its Embassy in Tehran, serves as protecting power for U.S. interests in Iran. Neither U.S. passports nor visas to the United States are issued in Tehran. The Iranian Government does not recognize dual citizenship and generally does not permit the Swiss to provide protective services for U.S. citizens who are also Iranian nationals. In addition, U.S. citizens of Iranian origin who are considered by Iran to be Iranian citizens have been detained and harassed by Iranian authorities. Former Muslims who have converted to other religions, as well as persons who encourage Muslims to convert, are subject to arrest and prosecution.
Americans who travel or reside in Iran despite this Travel Warning are strongly encouraged to register through the State Department’s travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov . If they are in Tehran, American citizens may also register in person at the U.S. Interest Section of the Swiss Embassy at Africa Avenue, West Farzan Street, no. 59, Tehran. The local telephone numbers are 021-8878-2964 and 021-8879-2364, fax 021-8877-3265, e-mail: tie.vertretung@eda.admin.ch.
U.S. citizens should also consult the Department of State’s Consular Information Sheet for Iran, and the current Worldwide Caution and Middle East and North Africa Public Announcements, which are located on the Department’s Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov . American citizens may also obtain updated information on travel and security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States or Canada, or, from overseas, 1-202-501-4444.
NOTE: The following text is a quote:
http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_venezuela.html
PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
This information is current as of today, Fri Jun 01 2007 02:21:40 GMT-0700.
VENEZUELA
May 31, 2007
This Public Announcement is being issued to alert American citizens to continuing nationwide demonstrations throughout Venezuela in the wake of the government’s decision not to renew the broadcasting license of Radio Caracas Television. In light of the current environment, it is recommended that the American public carefully consider the risks of travel to Venezuela. This Public Announcement expires June 29, 2007.
Demonstrations, which began the weekend of May 27-28, continue in Caracas, Maracay, Maracaibo, Merida, Porlamar, Valencia, and other major cities. Demonstrators are congregating in main streets and plazas in support of freedom of speech. Students are calling for university strikes to protest President Chavez’s decision not to renew Radio Caracas Television’s (RCTV’s) broadcast license. The government is organizing counter-demonstrations. Riot police are out in force near congregations of demonstrators and near government buildings in Caracas and other major cities. While some demonstrations are occurring without incident, police in Caracas used tear gas, water cannons, and plastic pellets to disperse crowds over the weekend of May 27-28. There are reports of at least one fatality.
The U.S. Embassy urges U.S. citizens in Venezuela to exercise caution in and around the country’s major cities and to monitor local media and other information sources in order to avoid areas in which demonstrations are occurring. American citizens are reminded that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful may turn violent.
In light of the current circumstances, U.S. citizens are advised to consider the risks before traveling to Venezuela at this time. American citizens already in Venezuela should monitor regularly the Department’s Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Consular Information Sheet for Venezuela, the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, and other travel information can be found. Up to date information on security also can be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States and Canada. Callers outside the United States and Canada may call a toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are answered from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
All Americans in Venezuela are urged to register either online at https://travelregistration.state.gov , or by phone or in person directly with the U.S. Embassy in Caracas. Registering gives U.S. citizens access to updated information on travel and security within Venezuela and makes it easier for the Embassy to contact citizens in case of emergency. Security updates are e-mailed to all registered Americans with an e-mail address.
The U.S. Embassy is located at Calle 7 con calle Suapure, Urb. Colinas de Valle Arriba. The 24-hour telephone number is (58) 212-975-6411. The U.S. Embassy website is http://caracas.usembassy.gov/ . In the event of an after-hours emergency, please call the above number and ask to be transferred to the duty officer.
ON THE NET...
http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/016709.php
(THE GUARDIAN)
June 1, 2007
“Talk to foreigners and we will view you as a spy, Iran warns academics”
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http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=ahmadinejad
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=iran
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3wko0bO7_Y
“Ahmadinejad visits Iranian defensive equipment exhibition”
(Added May 31, 2007)
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YC8K7HNDe74
“Iranian people protests against regime in May 2007”
(Added May 30, 2007)
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http://www.memritv.org/Search.asp?ACT=S5&P1=148
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http://www.truthusa.com/IRAN.html