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https://www.osac.gov/Reports/report.cfm?contentID=82428
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Warden Message: Democratic Republic of the Congo Increased Security Precautions
CONSULAR AFFAIRS BULLETINS
Sub-Saharan Africa - Congo (Democratic Republic)
4 Apr 2008
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RELATED REPORTS
8 Jan 2008
WARDEN MESSAGE: DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
5 Dec 2007
WARDEN MESSAGE: DRC NORTH KIVU PROVINCE TRAVEL DEFERRMENT URGED
U.S. Embassy Kinshasa issued the following Warden Message on April 4, 2008:
The U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa hereby informs American citizens in the Democratic Republic of the Congo that the Embassy has increased security precautions for U.S. government personnel traveling to the Goma/North Kivu area and recommends travelers to defer non-essential travel to this area. The Travel Warning dated January 8, 2008 remains in effect for the DRC.
American citizens resident in or visiting Goma and the surrounding areas are reminded that the area remains dangerous due to the continued presence of armed militia groups, in spite of the ongoing efforts of many to move forward with the recently forged Goma Peace Accords.
Due to an increase in hotel robberies, the recent violent assault and robbery of a U.N. staff member and several murders in Goma, the U.S. Embassy has recently implemented the following additional security measures for official U.S. government travelers in the Goma area. American citizens are advised to consider taking the same measures:
1. Remain indoors at night; observe an Embassy-imposed curfew of 22:00 hrs. (10:00 PM);
2. Minimize the carrying of large sums of cash or other valuables on your person or in your quarters;
3. When staying at area hotels, use appropriate safe deposit boxes and/or safes when possible;
4. Travel in official vehicles whenever possible. (If you are with an official organization like the UN, use marked vehicles.)
Americans in the area are advised to closely monitor local and international news from reliable sources for updated reports. Radio Okapi broadcasts in French on 103.5 FM at 0700, 0800, 1200 and 1800, and also provides flash broadcasts throughout the day. English language news can be found on BBC at 92.6 FM.
Additionally, American citizens are urged to review and update their personal and professional emergency plans, and take necessary precautions. As always, Americans are urged to use caution when traveling in the DRC and to be prepared for sudden changes in the safety and security situation throughout the country.
Americans are also reminded to register with the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa and are strongly urged to also register with the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Kigali, which is located closer to the area of conflict. Registration for both Embassies may be completed online at: http://registration.state.gov or by calling the Embassy in Kinshasa at: 081-884-4609 or Kigali at: 250-505-602. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassies to contact them in case of emergency.
The U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa is located at 310 Avenue des Aviateurs, tel. 243-081-225-5872 (Do not dial the zero when calling from abroad). The Consular Section of the Embassy may be reached at tel. 243-081-884-6859 or 243-081-884-4609; fax 243-081-301-0560 (Do not dial the first zero when calling from abroad). For after-hours emergencies please call 081-225-5872 or 081-556-0151.
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“Mexican army finds $6 mln in truck near U.S. border”
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ARTICLE SNIPPET: “MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexican soldiers looking for drug traffickers found $6 million in cash inside a truck near the U.S. border and arrested five men at the scene, the army said on Friday.
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Army drug squads in the northern state of Tamaulipas, a smuggling hot spot over the border from Texas, found the U.S. currency stuffed into eight suitcases as they inspected a tractor trailer and smaller truck parked along a highway.
They also found four pistols, the army said in a statement.
Army and federal police units deployed in President Felipe Calderon’s 15-month-old crackdown on drug cartels are grappling with a spike in violence that has left more than 800 people dead in gangland-style killings so far this year.”