Note: The following text is a quote:
https://www.osac.gov/Reports/report.cfm?contentID=81228
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Warden Message: Qatari Security Concerns
CONSULAR AFFAIRS BULLETINS
Middle East / N. Africa - Qatar
13 Mar 2008
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RELATED REPORTS
20 Dec 2007
QATAR DRIVING AND ROAD SAFETY
U.S. Embassy Doha released the following Warden Message on March 13:
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. 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 including suicide operations, assassinations, kidnappings, hijackings and bombings.
Extremists may elect to use conventional or non-conventional weapons, and target both official and private interests. Examples of such targets include high-profile sporting events, residential areas, business offices, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, such as the new Christian Church complex in Doha, schools, public areas and locales where Americans gather.
The U.S. Embassy in Doha encourages all U.S. citizens to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to maintain their security awareness. U.S. citizens should review “A Safe Trip Abroad,” found at http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/safety/safety_1747.html, which includes valuable security information for those both living and traveling abroad. In addition, the U.S. Embassy recommends U.S. citizens review the Personal Security Checklist below.
Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the U.S. Embassy in Doha’s website, http://qatar.usembassy.gov, and the U.S. Department of State’s travel website at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution and other Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts can be found. The U.S. Embassy also encourages U.S. citizens to review to “A Safe Trip Abroad,” found at http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/safety/safety_1747.html, which includes valuable security information for those both living and traveling abroad. 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. and Canada, or outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.
U.S. citizens living and residing in Qatar are advised to register their presence in the country through the U.S. Department of State’s automated online registration system, https://travelregistration.state.gov. U.S. citizens may also contact the Consular Section at the U.S. Embassy via email at ACSconsularDoha@state.gov or by calling 488-4101, extension 6117 for routine services or extension 6500 for after hours emergencies. Further updates will be forthcoming when new information is available. This complete message is available on the Embassy’s website at http://qatar.usembassy.gov.
Recommended Personal Security Checklist:
•Vary your times and routes to and from work.
•Keep your doors locked and windows closed (residence and vehicle).
•Check the interior and exterior of your vehicle prior to getting into your vehicle. Look for anomalies or other things that do not belong in your car.
•Maintain a low personal profile by not doing anything that draws attention to yourself.
•Identify and report to your corporate (sponsor) designated security-charge person and the police, vehicles or persons possibly involved in surveillance of your activities.
•Are you alert to what is going on around you?
•Are your colleagues and family aware of your daily plans and do they know how to reach you?
•Do you allow your staff to vary their hours of reporting (i.e., you do not schedule meetings the same time early each morning which would preclude the staff from varying their reporting times)?
• In traffic, always attempt to leave space in which to maneuver. Always leave yourself an exit. Be prepared to take evasive action at any time.
• To the extent possible avoid choke points in travel. Be wary of diversions.
• If you are being followed or harassed by another driver, try to find the nearest police station, hotel, or other public facility to call the Police and your corporate designated security-charge person. Never lead the person back to your home or stop and get out.
• Whenever possible, do not have a set day for shopping, errands and personal needs. Be unpredictable.
• Never give out your personal information such as family member and household staff names, addresses and telephone numbers in an open setting.
• Ensure all of your family members are briefed on security measures.
• For Parents with children: Make sure they are aware of 999, home number, and any other relevant contact numbers.
• Minor age children should not use taxis unaccompanied and should only use reliable, known limousine/car services vetted by your employer. Likewise, females and minor age children should never ride in the front seat of taxis.
Note: The following text is a quote:
https://www.osac.gov/Reports/report.cfm?contentID=81232
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Warden Message: Rebels Enter Eastern Chad
CONSULAR AFFAIRS BULLETINS
Sub-Saharan Africa - Chad
13 Mar 2008
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RELATED REPORTS
20 Feb 2008
TRAVEL WARNING: CHAD
17 Feb 2008
WARDEN MESSAGE: CHAD STATE OF EMERGENCY; EMBASSY OPERATIONS TRANSFERRED
12 Feb 2008
WARDEN MESSAGE: CHAD AIRLINE FLIGHTS TO RESUME
7 Feb 2008
WARDEN MESSAGE: CHAD FEBRUARY 7 EVACUATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR AMERICANS
4 Feb 2008
FIGHTING IN CHAD’S CAPITAL LEADS TO EVACUATION
U.S. Embassy N’Djamena issued the following Warden Message on March 13:
The Government of Chad announced this morning that armed rebels have again crossed the border into eastern Chad. The Embassy reminds all U.S. citizens in Chad that the security situation may deteriorate quickly without much advance notice. U.S. citizens should be aware that the U.S. Embassy can not guarantee that the same options and level of evacuation assistance that existed in February will be available should the situation again deteriorate. The Embassy, therefore, recommends U.S. citizens be prepared to implement their personal evacuation or safe haven plans should the situation warrant.
Air France and Ethiopian Air have limited commercial operations, and flights are currently operating between N’Djamena and Paris.
The state of emergency, which the government of Chad declared on February 14, 2008 for the entire country, is still in effect. The state of emergency sets a curfew from 12:00 midnight to 6:00 a.m. Americans are advised to abide by the curfew, i.e., avoid all travel during those hours, and to exercise extreme caution at all other times, bearing in mind the political situation remains fluid and potentially dangerous.
American citizens outside the country are advised not to travel to Chad, see latest Travel Warning for Chad.
The Embassy recommends that American citizens who are already in Chad be prepared to implement their personal evacuation plans on short notice. American citizens in Chad are strongly encouraged to register at the Embassy?s consular section on Avenue Felix Eboue, or by Internet at https://travelregistration.state.gov. Office hours for American citizens are Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. If you have previously registered but have changed any contact information, please be sure to notify the Embassy promptly of any changes. Visa services have been suspended until further notice, but American citizen services are available. The Embassy switchboard is operational and Embassy personnel may be contacted at (235) 251-7009; 251-6211; 251-9052 or 251-9233. The Consular Officer?s cellular phone number is (235) 652-2416. In the event that telecommunications in Chad become inoperable an Officer may be reached through the Cameroonian number: (237)94157608.
American citizens who decide to remain in Chad should closely monitor news media and the U.S. Embassy’s website. American citizens in Chad are urged to keep family and friends in the United States apprised of their whereabouts. Please encourage all Americans with whom you come in contact to register with the U.S. Embassy by completing a registration form online at https://travelregistration.state.gov and provide contact information and specific travel data if traveling outside the capital.