Travel Update-Weekly Edition

April 26th, 2007

Central Asia - This Public Announcement is routinely updated to remind American citizens of ongoing security concerns and the potential for terrorist acts in Central Asia.  American citizens are reminded to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness.  This supersedes the Public Announcement for Central Asia of October 23, 2006, and expires on October 23, 2007. The U.S. Government continues to receive information that terrorist groups in Central Asia may be planning attacks in the region, possibly against U.S. Government facilities, Americans or American interests.  Elements and supporters of extremist groups present in Central Asia, including the Islamic Jihad Union (IJU), al-Qaida, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), and the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement, have expressed anti-U.S. sentiments in the past and have demonstrated the capability to conduct terrorist operations in the region.  Previous terrorist attacks conducted in Central Asia have involved improvised explosive devices and suicide bombers and have targeted public areas, such as markets, local government facilities, and, in 2004, the U.S. and Israeli Embassies in Uzbekistan.  In addition, hostage-takings and skirmishes have occurred near the Uzbek-Tajik-Kyrgyz border areas. U.S. Embassy personnel in Central Asia continue to observe heightened security precautions at work, as well as in public places, such as markets and bazaars.  Terrorists do not distinguish between official and civilian targets.  As security is increased at official U.S. facilities, terrorists and their sympathizers seek softer targets.  These targets may include facilities where Americans and other foreigners congregate and visit, such as residential areas, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, hotels, schools, outdoor recreation events, resorts, beaches, maritime facilities, airports, and aircraft.

 

Democratic Republic of the Congo - On April 24, the U.S. Department of State issued a Travel Warning for the Democratic Republic of the 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 lifted the Authorized Departure for non-emergency Embassy personnel and eligible family members due to security concerns last month.  This Warning supersedes the Travel Warning for the Democratic Republic of the Congo issued March 27, 2007. Although the Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens against travel to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Authorized Departure for non-emergency Embassy employees and eligible family members, authorized in March 2007 due to security concerns, has been lifted.  Fighting which began on March 22-23 has ended, and businesses, schools, and the airport are again operating normally.  Nonetheless, conditions within the DRC remain dangerous. Travel in the eastern provinces, especially in rural areas, remains unsafe due to continued sporadic attacks by uncontrolled militias.  Periodic fighting continues in the provinces of North and South Kivu, Ituri, and northern Katanga, and other areas of eastern Congo. Though U.N. observer forces are deployed throughout the country, unofficial armed groups and active duty troops in parts of the country are known to pillage, carjack, steal vehicles, kill extra-judicially, rape, kidnap, and carry out military/paramilitary operations.  Large numbers of former rebel and government soldiers to be decommissioned, as a result of the earlier peace process, remain a security concern.  Travelers have been detained and questioned by poorly disciplined security forces at numerous military roadblocks throughout the country; and government-imposed curfews, not currently in effect, could be reinstated upon short notice if the security situation deteriorates. Travelers to the DRC frequently experience difficulties at the airport and other ports of entry, such as temporary detention, passport confiscation and demands by immigration and security personnel for unofficial “special fees.”  Visas are not available at ports of entry.  All resident foreigners, including Americans, are required to register at the office of the Direction General de Migration (DGM) in the commune of their place of residence.  Border closures of 24-48 hours duration can occur without much advance notice. American citizens should avoid all public demonstrations and areas where crowds are gathered, exercise caution, and closely watch and listen for local and international news from reliable sources. Radio Okapi broadcasts in French on 103.5 FM at 7:00am, 8:00am, 12:00pm and 6:00pm as well as “flash” updates throughout the day.  English-language news can be found on BBC at 92.7 FM.  In times of emergency, the Belgian Embassy operates a French-language radio broadcast system at FM 98.8.  Changes in security conditions may occasionally restrict the travel of U.S. Mission personnel. 

 

Mexico - On April 19, the U.S. Department of State issued a Public Announcement for Mexico which reads in part: "This Public Announcement advises U.S. citizens on security situations in Mexico that may affect their activities while in that country.  This Public Announcement supersedes previous Public Announcements for Mexico dated January 18, 2007 and September 15, 2006.  This Public Announcement expires on October 16, 2007. Narcotics-Related Violence - U.S. citizens residing and traveling in Mexico should exercise caution when in unfamiliar areas and be aware of their surroundings at all times.  Violence by criminal elements affects many parts of the country, urban and rural, including border areas.  In recent months there have been execution-style murders of Mexican officials in Tamaulipas (particularly Nuevo Laredo), Michoacan, Baja California, Guerrero (particularly Acapulco), Nuevo Leon (especially in and around Monterrey) and other states.  Though there is no evidence that U.S. citizens are specifically targeted, Mexican and foreign bystanders have been injured or killed in some violent attacks demonstrating the heightened risk in public places.  In its effort to combat violence, the Government of Mexico has deployed military troops in various parts of the country.  U.S. citizens are advised to cooperate with official checkpoints when traveling on Mexican highways. In recent years dozens of U.S. citizens have been kidnapped in Nuevo Laredo with more than two dozen cases still unresolved and new cases of kidnap for ransom continue to be reported.  No one can be considered immune from kidnapping on the basis of occupation, nationality, or other factors.  Drug cartel members have been known to follow and harass U.S. citizens traveling in their vehicles, particularly in border areas including Nuevo Laredo and Matamoros.  U.S. citizens who believe they are being followed should notify officials as soon as possible.  U.S. citizens should make every attempt to travel on main roads during daylight hours, particularly the toll (“cuota”) roads, which are generally more secure.  It is preferable for U.S. citizens to stay in well-known tourist destinations and tourist areas of the cities with more adequate security, and provide an itinerary to a friend or family member not traveling with them.  U.S. citizens should refrain from displaying expensive-looking jewelry, large amounts of money, or other valuable items. Oaxaca City - U.S. citizens traveling to Oaxaca City should be aware that from May to November 2006, protests in Oaxaca City became increasingly violent resulting in at least nine deaths.  On October 27, 2006, a U.S. citizen was shot and killed in Oaxaca City as a result of the violence and disorder caused by ongoing civil unrest in the city.  Many of the issues that were the basis for the protests remain unresolved.  U.S. Citizens planning to travel to Oaxaca City  should check on current conditions before beginning their travel. Demonstrations - Demonstrations occur frequently throughout Mexico and are usually peaceful.  However, even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence unexpectedly.  During violent demonstrations or law enforcement operations, U.S. citizens are reminded to remain in their homes or hotels, avoid large crowds, and avoid the downtown and surrounding areas.  Since the timing and routes of scheduled marches and demonstrations are always subject to change, U.S. citizens should monitor local media sources for new developments and exercise extreme caution while within the vicinity of any protests. The State Department reminds U.S. citizens to avoid participating in demonstrations and other activities that might be deemed political by Mexican authorities.  The Mexican Constitution prohibits political activities by foreigners, and such actions may result in detention and/or deportation.

 

Niger - On April 23, the U.S. Embassy in Niamey issued a Warden Message, which reads in part: "Over the last several months, there has been an escalation in violence in northern Niger, near and between the cities of Iferouane and Arlit. In three recent incidents vehicles have struck landmines, killing and injuring persons. On April 20 a mining facility was attacked near Iferouane. Cash, cars, and cellular phones were stolen. While none of these incidents have involved Americans, the US Embassy in Niamey has temporarily prohibited its personnel from traveling north of the city of Agadez. We strongly urge American citizens to likewise refrain from all travel north of Agadez."

Previous Updates

April 26, 2007
April 19, 2007
April 12, 2007
April 9, 2007
March 21, 2007
March 21, 2007
March 15, 2007
March 8, 2007
March 1, 2007
February 22, 2007
February 15, 2007
February 8, 2007
February 1, 2007
January 29, 2007
January 25, 2007
January 18, 2007
January 15, 2007
December 28, 2006
December 27, 2006
December 21, 2006
December 20, 2006
December 14, 2006
December 7, 2006
December 5, 2006
December 1, 2006
November 30, 2006
November 22, 2006
November 17, 2006
November 16, 2006
November 13, 2006
October 26, 2006
October 19, 2006
October 12, 2006
September 22, 2006
September 19, 2006
September 19, 2006
September 19, 2006
September 14, 2006
September 7, 2006
August 31, 2006
August 25, 2006
August 24, 2006
August 22, 2006
August 17, 2006
August 14, 2006
August 11, 2006
August 11, 2006
August 10, 2006
August 10, 2006
August 3, 2006
July 27, 2006
July 20, 2006
July 13, 2006
July 5, 2006
June 29, 2006
June 22, 2006
June 15, 2006
June 8, 2006
June 1, 2006
May 25, 2006
May 18, 2006
May 11, 2006
May 4, 2006
April 27, 2006
April 20, 2006
April 13, 2006
April 12, 2006
April 7, 2006
April 4, 2006
March 30, 2006
March 23, 2006
March 16, 2006
March 9, 2006
March 2, 2006
February 23, 2006
February 16, 2006
February 9, 2006
February 6, 2006
January 26, 2006
January 19, 2006
January 12, 2006
January 5, 2006
January 3, 2006