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THE FOLLOWING TEXT IS AN EXACT QUOTE:
http://travel.state.gov/wwc1.html

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman

This information is current as of today, Fri Mar 19 2004 15:03:31 GMT-0800.

WORLDWIDE CAUTION

March 19, 2004

This supersedes the Worldwide Caution dated January 9, 2004 . It is being issued to remind U.S. citizens of the continuing threat of terrorist attacks. This Worldwide Caution expires on September 19, 2004 .

The U.S. Government remains deeply concerned about the security of U.S. citizens overseas. U.S. citizens are cautioned to maintain a high level of vigilance, to remain alert and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness. We are seeing indications that Al-Qaida continues to prepare to strike U.S. interests abroad.

Al-Qaida and its associated organizations have most recently struck in the Middle East and in Europe but other geographic locations could also be venues for attacks. Future Al-Qaida attacks could possibly involve non-conventional weapons such as chemical or biological agents as well as conventional weapons of terror. We also cannot rule out that Al-Qaida will attempt a catastrophic attack within the U.S.

Terrorist actions may include, but are not limited to, suicide operations, hijackings, bombings or kidnappings. These may involve aviation and other transportation and maritime interests, and may also include conventional weapons, such as explosive devices. Terrorists do not distinguish between official and civilian targets. These may include facilities where U.S. citizens and other foreigners congregate or visit, including residential areas, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools, hotels and public areas. U.S. citizens are encouraged to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness.

U.S. Government facilities worldwide remain at a heightened state of alert. These facilities may temporarily close or suspend public services from time to time to assess their security posture. In those instances, U.S. embassies and consulates will make every effort to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens. Americans abroad are urged to monitor the local news and maintain contact with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate .

As the Department continues to develop information on any potential security threats to U.S. citizens overseas, it shares credible threat information through its consular information program documents, available on the Internet at http://travel.state.gov. 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. or outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-317-472-2 328.

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THE FOLLOWING TEXT IS AN EXACT QUOTE:

http://travel.state.gov/meu_announce.html

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
This information is current as of today, Fri Mar 19 2004 15:05:50 GMT-0800.

Middle East and North Africa

March 19, 2004

This Public Announcement is being updated to remind U.S. citizens of the continuing threat of anti-American violence, including possible terrorist actions against aviation, ground transportation and maritime interests, specifically in the Middle East , including the Red Sea , Persian Gulf , the Arabian Peninsula and North Africa . This Public Announcement supersedes the Public Announcement issued on November 6, 2003 , and expires September 19, 2004 .

The Department of State reminds U.S. citizens traveling to the Middle East and North Africa that there remains a potential threat to U.S. citizens and interests in the region posed by those harboring anti-American sentiments, including the risk of attacks by terrorist groups. The U.S. Government remains deeply concerned about the security of U.S. citizens overseas. U.S. citizens are encouraged to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness.

C redible information has indicated terrorist groups may be planning attacks against U.S. interests in the Middle East . Terrorist actions may include suicide operations, bombings, hijackings or kidnappings. These attacks may involve aviation, ground transportation and maritime interests. While conventional weapons such as explosive devices are a more immediate threat in many areas, use of non-conventional weapons, including chemical or biological agents must be considered a possible threat. Terrorists do not distinguish between official and civilian targets. Increased security at official U.S. facilities has led terrorists and their sympathizers to seek softer targets such as public transportation, residential areas, and public areas where people congregate.

On occasion, the travel of official personnel at embassies and consulates around the world is restricted because of security concerns, and these posts may recommend that private U.S. citizens avoid the same areas if at all possible. Services to U.S. citizens in countries abroad may be affected if employees’ movements are restricted. If this happens, U.S. embassies and consulates will make every effort to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens. In case office hours are reduced, U.S. citizens in need of emergency assistance should telephone the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate before visiting in person.

In addition, U.S. citizens planning to travel to the Middle East or North Africa should consult the Department of State's country-specific Public Announcements, Travel Warnings, Consular Information Sheets, the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement and other information available on the Consular Affairs Internet website at http://travel.state.gov. Up-to-date information on security conditions can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 in the U.S. and for callers outside the U.S. and Canada a regular toll line at 1-317-472-2328.

Return to Consular Information Sheets and Travel Warnings Page

THE FOLLOWING TEXT IS AN EXACT QUOTE:
http://travel.state.gov/indonesia_warning.html

Travel Warning
United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington, DC 20520

This information is current as of today, Sat Mar 20 2004 20:17:43 GMT-0800.

INDONESIA

March 19, 2004

This Travel Warning is being issued to update security threat information for Indonesia. The Department of State reminds U.S. citizens of the ongoing terrorist threat in Indonesia and continues to recommend that U.S. citizens defer all non-essential travel to Indonesia. This supersedes the August 28, 2003, Travel Warning for Indonesia.

The Department of State has determined that the current and projected security situation in Indonesia warrant the continued recommendation that U.S. citizens defer all non-essential travel to Indonesia. American citizens already in Indonesia are strongly urged to avoid traveling to Aceh, and those in Aceh should leave immediately.

Indonesia will hold legislative elections on April 5, 2004, a presidential election on July 5, 2004, and a possible presidential runoff election on September 20, 2004. Election-related violence/attacks are possible and U.S. citizens are reminded that they should avoid demonstrations and large gatherings, which could turn violent. The Jemaah Islamiyah organization (JI) and/or other similar terrorist groups may use these elections as opportune occasions to carry out attacks.

Because there are several active terrorist groups within Indonesia, the potential remains for violence and terrorist actions against U.S. citizens and interests throughout Indonesia. American citizens were injured or killed in terrorist bombings at the Marriott Hotel in Jakarta on August 5, 2003, and at Denpasar, Bali on October 12, 2002. JI’s terrorist attacks in Jakarta and Bali, which took place in areas with large numbers of foreign tourists, clearly indicate that a security threat extends to private U.S. citizens. Designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, JI is an extremist group known to have cells operating in Southeast Asia, including Indonesia and has connections with Al-Qaeda.

The U.S. government continues to believe extremist groups may be planning additional attacks targeting U.S. interests in Indonesia, particularly U.S. government officials and facilities. Since security has been increased at official U.S. facilities, terrorists may seek “softer” targets. These may include, but are not limited to, facilities where Americans and other Westerners are known to live, congregate, shop, or visit, especially hotels, clubs, restaurants, shopping centers, housing compounds, transportation systems, places of worship, schools, or outdoor recreation events. Also, domestically targeted bombings have been an ongoing problem throughout Indonesia over the past three years and have struck religious, political, and business targets. In 2003, the Jakarta international airport, an open-air concert in Aceh, and other Indonesian government facilities were bombed.

Indonesia instituted martial law in Aceh on May 19, 2003, and subsequently launched significant military operations against a separatist rebel group, the Free Aceh Movement (GAM). Aside from the military violence, individual violence has increased markedly. The Indonesian government has warned all foreigners to leave Aceh and gave notice that this conflict could result in terrorist attacks throughout Indonesia, particularly in urban areas where security forces are on a higher state of alert. Because of the hostilities, at least one foreigner was killed and one wounded by security forces. The Department of State continues to strongly urge U.S. citizens in Aceh to depart immediately.

In addition to terrorism, there is potential for violence and unrest; both can erupt without warning. Sectarian, ethnic, communal (inter- or intra-group) and separatist strife, and violence are ongoing threats to personal safety and security in various areas, including Maluku, North Maluku, Sulawesi, Papua and West Timor. In 2004, bombs have killed and injured people in Manado, North Sulawesi and Makassar, South Sulawesi. Social tensions flared in Poso and in neighboring areas of Central Sulawesi during October-November 2003, resulting in 19 fatalities. Papua’s separatist conflict can become violent. In August 2002, two U.S. citizens were killed in Papua under circumstances that have raised suspicions of official involvement. Also, there is a risk of kidnappings by the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group in the border areas near Malaysia and the Philippines.

Americans who travel to or remain in Indonesia despite this Travel Warning should keep a low profile, varying times and routes for all required travel, and remain acutely aware of their immediate environment. The U.S. Mission in Indonesia may occasionally suspend service to the public, or close, because of security concerns. In these situations, the Embassy and Consulate will continue to provide emergency services to American citizens.

Information on travel and security in Indonesia may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 within the United States ; from overseas, call 1-317-472-2328. The U.S. Embassy in Jakarta can be contacted by phone at (62)(21) 3435-9000, the Consulate General in Surabaya ’s number is (62) (31) 568-2287, and the Consular Agency in Bali ’s number is (62) (361) 233-605. American citizens should also read the Department of State’s Consular Information Sheet for Indonesia and the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement; both are available on our web site, http://travel.state.gov.

Return to Consular Information Sheets and Travel Warnings Page