Travel Update-Weekly Edition

State Dept Travel Warnings and Public announcements - For the full announcements or further detail on Travel Warnings and Public Announcements, please see  http://travel.state.gov/travel

Djibouti - On June 11 the U.S. Embassy in Djibouti issued the following Warden Message: "On June 10, 2008, the Government of Djibouti reported an exchange of fire between Djiboutian and Eritrean troops at the border. The fighting continues as of June 11, 2008. Since April 2008, Djiboutian and Eritrean troops have been stationed in very close proximity along their shared border in northeast Djibouti. "U.S. Embassy Djibouti will continue to evaluate the situation and will notify American Citizens as the situation evolves. The U.S. Embassy in Djibouti will temporarily require all our Embassy personnel to receive approval from the Embassy Regional Security Officer before traveling north of Obock in Djibouti. For security and safety reasons, the U.S. Embassy urges American citizens to avoid traveling to northern Djibouti and to exercise caution if travel is essential. "For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs’ website at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts, as well as the Worldwide Caution, can be found."

 

Eritrea - On June 11 the U.S. Department of State issued a Travel Warning for Eritrea that reads in part as follows: "This Travel Warning updates information on Eritrea’s current security situation. It reiterates the Department of State’s recommendation that U.S. citizens defer non-essential travel to Eritrea due to restrictions on travel outside the capital city of Asmara and heightened tensions along Eritrea’s borders with Ethiopia and Djibouti. This supersedes the Travel Warning for Eritrea issued on March 26, 2008. "American citizens considering travel within Eritrea should be aware of the presence of large numbers of Eritrean and Ethiopian troops along the Eritrean-Ethiopian border, and acute political tensions between the two countries. In March 2008, the Government of the State of Eritrea’s (GSE) restrictions on diesel fuel supplies caused UNMEE detachments to withdraw from the Temporary Security Zone (TSZ), leaving no international observers monitoring the border. On June 10, 2008, Djiboutian and Eritrean troops exchanged fire along their shared border. U.S. citizens are strongly advised to avoid travel near the Eritrean-Ethiopian border. "U.S. citizens should also avoid non-essential travel to the Southern Red Sea region, including the port of Assab. Since April, Djiboutian and Eritrean troops have been deployed along the northeastern border of Djibouti. The Djiboutian government claims Eritrean troops have crossed into its territory and political tensions between the countries remain high. "The GSE continues to restrict the travel of all foreign nationals, including resident diplomats. These restrictions require all visitors and residents to apply with the GSE 10 days in advance for permission to travel outside Asmara city limits. As a result, the U.S. Embassy cannot provide consular assistance in an emergency outside of Asmara. Travelers also should be aware that that the GSE does not inform the U.S. Embassy when American citizens have been arrested or detained."

 

India - The U.S. Consulate in Kolkata released the following Warden Message on June 1: "This warden message is being issued to alert American citizens in or traveling to the areas of Darjeeling, Kurseong, Siliguri, and Kalimpong in Eastern India about an indefinite bandh ('strike') called by the Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha (GJM) group in support of its demand for a separate Gorkha state. GJM leaders have specifically requested that all tourists leave the area as soon as possible. Americans living or traveling in these areas can expect road blockades, disruptions to public transport, and interruptions in municipal services such as water and trash collection. American citizens should minimize travel and maintain a low profile in these areas until disruptions end. "We remind U.S. citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence. U.S. citizens are therefore urged to avoid the areas of demonstrations and to move quickly away from any demonstrations they may encounter. U.S. citizens should closely monitor local media and be aware of their surroundings at all times."

 

Mozambique - On June 5 the U.S. Embassy in Maputo issued a Warden Message, which reads in part as follows: "Over the last several days, the U.S. Embassy’s Regional Security Office has received multiple reports of violent crime in Maputo. While the information provided in this message is not all inclusive, it does provide a good overview of recent crime in Maputo:
- Two expatriates were mugged across the street from the Polana Hotel.
- Another expatriate was robbed at knifepoint by two armed assailants while walking along one of the access roads leading to the beach located near Avenida Friedrich Engels.
- Three robbers armed with AK-47s entered the Shamwari restaurant located on Avenida Mateus Muthemba near the Talho Polana. The robbery occurred at 1930 and the assailants demanded that patrons relinquish their valuables. Additionally, the restaurant’s cash register was stolen and one of the patrons was slightly injured when he refused to hand over his vehicle keys to the robbers. The vehicle was stolen but later recovered.
- Last night, at approximately 2230, a police officer was shot and killed by multiple assailants in front of the Libyan Embassy located on Rua Pereira Marinho.
"The U.S. Embassy in Maputo strongly encourages American citizens to review your personal security practices. Remember, if you are confronted by a criminal demanding your vehicle or valuables, do not resist."

 

South Korea -  The U.S. Embassy in Seoul issued the following Warden Message on June 5: "The U.S. Embassy advises American citizens throughout the Republic of Korea to exercise caution during demonstrations and vigils protesting the importation of beef from the United States. We remind American citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. American citizens are therefore urged to avoid the areas of demonstrations if possible and to exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations. American citizens should stay current with media coverage of local events and be aware of their surroundings at all times."

 

Zimbabwe - On June 9 the U.S. Embassy in Harare issued the following Warden Message: "This warden message is to alert American citizens in Harare of credible reports that ruling party ZANU-PF supporters are operating in the northern suburb of Chisipite to intimidate the population in that area in advance of the June 27 presidential election. These ZANU-PF supporters have reportedly been accosting pedestrians, visiting residences in the area, intimidating Zimbabweans and forcing them to attend ZANU-PF political rallies. There are also credible reports that opposition party Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) supporters have been beaten at this location. "American citizens in the Chisipite area should exercise extreme caution when conducting business in the area, including the Chisipite shops, and should avoid walking in this area until further notice. While Americans have not yet been directly targeted in Harare, there is the potential for Westerners to be included in this intimidation campaign. "The embassy has also received credible reports of similar ZANU-PF activities in the Braeside neighborhood of Harare. Similar precautions should be observed in that area and across the city."