Travel Update-Weekly Edition

Indonesia - The U.S. Embassy in Jakarta issued the following Warden Message for Indonesia on October 17: "Americans living and traveling in Indonesia are urged to avoid traveling to or within six miles of Mount Kelud. An evacuation order has been announced for all people living within six miles of Mount Kelud. Indonesian authorities ordered the evacuation on Tuesday, October 16, warning of an imminent eruption from the volcano that killed thousands in 1919. Kelud has been rumbling for weeks, and it was placed on the highest alert level, meaning scientists believe a major eruption is imminent. It is not known if any eruption of Mount Kelud will affect the mud flow situation in Sidoarjo. Extra caution should be exercised if traveling near this site."

 

Lebanon - On October 17, the U.S. Department of State issued a Travel Warning, which reads in part: "This Travel Warning updates information on security threats and ongoing political tensions in Lebanon, and advises U.S. citizens of current safety and security concerns. The Department of State continues strongly to urge that Americans defer travel to Lebanon and that American citizens in Lebanon consider carefully the risks of remaining. This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning issued on June 14. "The U.S. remains concerned about the threat of terrorist attacks against Western and Lebanese government interests in Lebanon. Groups such as Al-Qaeda and Jund al-Sham are present in Lebanon, and they have issued statements calling for attacks against Western interests. The Department of State also is concerned that the clashes between terrorist extremists and the Lebanese Armed Forces that occurred in the Nahr al-Bared refugee camp in northern Lebanon from May to September 2007 could occur in other camps in Lebanon. U.S. citizens who visit refugee camps in Lebanon risk becoming trapped during hostilities. "Two anti-Syria Members of Parliament were assassinated in separate car bombings in Beirut -- Walid Eido on June 13, and Antoine Ghanem on September 19. Others were killed and injured in both incidents, including innocent bystanders. "On June 7, a bomb exploded in the town of Zouk Mousbeh, north of Beirut. This followed the discovery of explosive-laden vehicles in Eastern Lebanon. Since May 20, explosions have occurred in the Beirut neighborhoods of Achrafieh and Verdun, the Beirut suburb of Sad Al-Bouchrieh, and the resort town of Aley. "The Department of State urges U.S. citizens to defer travel to Lebanon, and that U.S. citizens already in Lebanon carefully consider the risks of remaining. U.S. citizens who choose to remain in Lebanon are encouraged to maintain a high level of vigilance; confirm and maintain the validity of their passports and other U.S. travel documents for themselves and their family members; monitor the local security situation and be ready to depart quickly in the event of any deterioration in the situation. "U.S. citizens traveling to Lebanon or resident in Lebanon should be aware the U.S. Embassy has limited ability to reach all areas of Lebanon. The Embassy cannot guarantee that Embassy employees can render assistance to U.S. citizens in areas where there is little or no government control, such as the southern part of Lebanon where Hizballah continues to be active. "Landmines and unexploded ordnance pose significant dangers throughout southern Lebanon, particularly south of the Litani River, as well as in areas of Lebanon where civil war fighting was intense. More than a dozen civilians have been killed and over 100 injured by unexploded ordnance following the armed conflict in July-August 2006. Travelers should watch for posted landmine warnings and strictly avoid all areas where landmines and unexploded ordnance may be present."

 

Poland - On October 11, the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw issued the following Warden Message: "In light of the recent attacks on Polish diplomatic facilities and personnel in Iraq, and heightened political activity related to the Polish national elections, the U.S. Embassy wants to remind all American citizens to maintain a high level of security awareness and to follow good security practices. The following is the most recent information regarding the worldwide threat of terrorist actions and violence against American citizens and interests overseas."