Travel Update-Weekly Edition

Algeria - On December 20, the U.S. Department of State has issued a Travel Warning for Algeria, which reads in part: "This Travel Warning is being updated to alert Americans to recent terrorist attacks in Algeria.  The threat from terrorism in many areas continues to pose a significant security risk.  This supersedes the Travel Warning issued on November 22, 2006. The Department of State urges U.S. citizens who travel to Algeria to evaluate carefully the risk posed to their personal safety.  Sustained small-scale terrorist attacks including bombings, false roadblocks, kidnappings, ambushes, and assassinations occur, primarily in rural and remote sections of the country.  Additionally, there were three terrorist attacks against police stations and military barracks in the eastern suburbs of Algiers in October 2006, and a bomb attack targeting a bus transporting foreign workers of a U.S. company in the western part of the city in December 2006.   The Department of State cautions those U.S. citizens who travel to Algeria, especially the mountainous northern regions and the southern regions near Tamanrasset, despite this Travel Warning, to use reputable local agents and tour guides who are able to make reliable security arrangements.  Travel to the military zone established around the Hassi Messaoud oil center requires Government of Algeria authorization. American visitors are encouraged to contact the Embassy’s Consular Section for the most recent safety and security information concerning travel in the city of Algiers. The Department of State cautions Americans who reside or travel in Algeria to take prudent security measures while in the country, including making provisions for reliable and experienced logistical support.  This support should include being met upon arrival and accompanied for the duration of the visit.  Visitors should ensure that tour operators and host organizations perform all notifications and coordination with Algerian police and security officials during their stay.  Visitors to Algeria are advised to stay only in hotels where adequate security is provided.  All visitors to Algeria should remain alert and adhere to prudent security practices such as avoiding predicable travel patterns. Overland travel between major cities should be avoided."

 

Central African Republic - On December 18, the U.S. Department of State issued the following Travel Warning for Central African Republic, which reads in part: "This Travel Warning is revised to strongly advise Americans against travel to the Central African Republic and to provide an update on the security situation.  It supersedes the Travel Warning for the Central African Republic issued October 20, 2006.  American citizens are strongly advised not to travel to the Central African Republic (CAR) until further notice.  Active rebel movements continue in the northern and northeastern regions of the country.  In northern prefectures from Ouham to Gribingui, rogue army troops and robbers are also active, making road travel dangerous even with an armed escort.  Many civilians have died or been wounded in attacks by these elements.  The Central African government is unable to guarantee the safety of visitors to any part of the country including the capital.  U.S. citizens already in the Central African Republic should contact the American Embassy in Bangui at once to verify their locations and contact points (see below).  They should avoid travel outside the capital unless absolutely necessary and exercise caution at all times, particularly at public gatherings. In Bangui, tensions are high due to unpaid civil servant salaries and skirmishes between government forces and opposition groups.  There are approximately 300 peacekeeping troops from neighboring member countries of the Economic and Monetary Union of Central Africa (CEMAC) that move in and out of the capital.  CAR security forces, sometimes with French military assistance, staff checkpoints throughout the city.  Some crimes are perpetrated by uniformed CAR security and military personnel.  Two World Health Organization physicians were murdered by unidentified assailants on the outskirts of Bangui in April 2006. Outside the capital many areas are lawless; rebel groups are active in the western, northern, northeastern, and southeastern provinces.  The U.S. Embassy advises its personnel to take a CAR military escort when traveling outside the capital, particularly near the borders with Chad, Sudan, and Cameroon.  The Central African Republic held peaceful elections in March 2005, but the country’s economic and security situations have not improved markedly.  The rebels wish to overthrow the constitutionally-elected president and seek new elections. The U.S. Embassy in Bangui has just two American officers and can provide only limited emergency services to U.S. citizens."

 

Côte d’Ivoire - On December 18, the U.S. Department of State issued the following Travel Warning, which reads in part: "This Travel Warning updates U.S. citizens on ongoing safety and security concerns in Cote d’Ivoire. The Department of State continues to prohibit minor dependents from accompanying U.S. government employees assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Abidjan and to urge Americans to defer non-essential travel to Cote d’Ivoire. This supersedes the Travel Warning of 3 March 2006. "The Department of State continues to urge that Americans defer non-essential travel to Cote d’Ivoire. The security situation remains tense and potentially volatile, but shops and businesses are open. Travel throughout the south, controlled by forces loyal to President Gbagbo, is possible, and overland routes to the north, still controlled by the New Forces, are also open. Extreme caution is recommended at all times when traveling within the country. The airport currently operates normally and handles a number of flights by regional and European carriers. Land routes to the Ghanaian border are open."

 

Democratic Republic Of Congo - On December 18, the U.S. Department of State issued an updated Travel Warning for the Democratic Republic of Congo, which reads in part: "This revised Travel Warning for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Congo-Kinshasa) provides an update on the country’s security situation. It further notes that the Department has authorized the return of Embassy personnel’s family members, who may have elected to depart Kinshasa earlier this year due to security concerns. This Warning supersedes the Travel Warning for the Democratic Republic of the Congo issued October 20. "The Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens against travel to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and notes that while the current security situation in the DRC has stabilized following the second round of Presidential elections and the inauguration of President Joseph Kabila on December 6, 2006, there remain many dangerous conditions for both residents and visitors."

 

Indonesia - The U.S. Embassy in Jakarta issued the following Warden Message on December 18: "The U.S. Embassy reminds Americans in Indonesia of the continued serious security threat to Americans and other westerners in Indonesia. In recent years terrorist attacks have occurred in Jakarta and elsewhere during the Christmas and New Year's holiday season. The Embassy urges Americans to remain vigilant about security at all times. "Terrorist attacks could occur at any time and could be directed against any location, including those frequented by foreigners and identifiably American or other western facilities or businesses in Indonesia. Such targets could include but are not limited to places where Americans and other Westerners live, congregate, shop or visit, including hotels, clubs, restaurants, shopping centers, identifiably western businesses, housing compounds, transportation systems, places of worship, schools or public recreation events. Terrorists in Indonesia have most often directed attacks at specific buildings or locations. The possibility exists that individual Americans could be targeted for kidnapping or assault. "The Embassy urges Americans in Indonesia to evaluate carefully the security implications of their daily activities, and to consider the level of security provided when choosing venues for holiday celebrations, religious services, and recreation and travel. Americans should observe vigilant personal security precautions at all times, be aware of their surroundings, and vary the routes and times of their daily activities"

 

Saudi Arabia - On December 19, the U.S. Department of State issued an updated Travel Warning for Saudi Arabia, which reads in part: "This Travel Warning reminds U.S. citizens of recommended security precautions and ongoing security concerns in Saudi Arabia.  It supersedes the Travel Warning issued June 23, 2006. Due to concerns about the possibility of additional terrorist activity directed against American citizens and interests, the Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens to defer non-essential travel to Saudi Arabia. The United States Mission in Saudi Arabia remains an unaccompanied post as a result of continued security concerns.  The consular section remains open for American citizen services.  Terrorist groups continue to target housing compounds and other establishments where Westerners may be located.  Saudi Government facilities are also targets.  In addition to car bombs and armed assaults involving multiple gunmen against such facilities, terrorists have used ambush attacks to kidnap and/or assassinate individual Westerners. American citizens who choose to visit or remain in Saudi Arabia despite this Travel Warning are strongly urged to avoid staying in hotels or housing compounds that do not apply stringent security measures including, but not limited to, the presence of an armed guard force, inspection of all vehicles, and a hardened security perimeter to prevent unauthorized vehicles from approaching the facility.  American citizens are further advised to exercise caution and maintain good situational awareness when visiting commercial establishments frequented by Westerners or in primarily Western environments.  Keep a low profile, varying times and routes for all required travel, and ensure that travel documents and visas are valid.  American citizens are also advised to exercise caution while driving, entering or exiting vehicles.  U.S. citizens who travel to or remain in Saudi Arabia despite this travel warning are strongly urged to register with the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh or the Consulates in Jeddah and Dhahran through the State Department’s travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov, in order to be included in the Mission’s warden network.  Updated travel and security information for Saudi Arabia is issued periodically via the warden network."