State Dept. Travel Warnings and Public Announcements

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

Afghanistan - On January 18 the U.S. Embassy in Kabul issued the following Warden Message: "At approximately 9:40 a.m., terrorists launched an attack near Fountain Circle (vicinity of the Afghan Central Bank, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Finance, Afghan Telecom, and the rear of the Serena Hotel). Reports indicate that a small team of terrorists detonated a suicide bomb and began indiscriminately firing small arms and rocket propelled grenades. According to press reports, the terrorists have moved into a building near Afghan Telecom and are engaged by the Afghan National Police. As of 12:00, hostilities are ongoing and spreading out beyond Fountain Circle.

"There also has been an attack at MFA Circle (directly south of the Embassy), which appears to be a separate attack. As a result, the Embassy Regional Security Office is preventing personnel from leaving the Embassy and is advising personnel to remain inside if possible. Also, the U.S. Embassy Consular Section will be closing for routine services on Monday, January 18. However, any U.S. citizen who is in need of emergency services should call the Consular Emergency Line at 0700-201-908. The Consular section is currently planning to resume normal operations on Tuesday, January 19.

"These attacks illustrate the significant threat to the public throughout Afghanistan. U.S. citizens are advised to be alert to the continued possibility of terrorist attacks and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness. The Department of State remains concerned about the continued threat of terrorist attacks and other violent actions against the Afghan public, as well as U.S. citizens and interests in Afghanistan. Explosions, shooting, demonstrations and rioting can occur with little or no warning. Current intelligence reports suggest that the Taliban, al-Qaida, and affiliated organizations continue to plan terrorist attacks against Afghan and international targets, including U.S. interests. These attacks may employ a wide variety of tactics including suicide operations, assassinations, kidnappings, hijackings, and bombings."

Albania - On January 15 the U.S. Embassy in Tirana issued the following Warden Message: "Flooding in the Shkoder and Lezhe regions reported in the Embassy's Warden Message of January 15, 2010, has subsided somewhat in the past several days. However, the coastal floodplains and other parts of the region continue to experience high water levels, particularly near the Drin and Buna Rivers. Weather conditions and other factors contribute to the potential for additional flooding and increased potential for safety and security risks. Peace Corps Volunteers regularly assigned in the affected areas have returned to their sites.

"Road closures have impacted some regular traffic patterns in northern Albania. Sections of the national road between Tirana and Shkoder have experienced flooding, and there have been closures along the road between Shkoder and Tropoje. There remains the potential for evacuations and road closures in locations in the affected region, depending upon water levels, weather, and other factors. "U.S. Embassy personnel have been instructed to defer non-essential travel to northern Albania. The U.S. Embassy in Tirana encourages U.S. citizens to defer travel to the affected area at this time, to monitor news channels for announcements of road closures and evacuations, and to exercise caution if traveling within the affected area."

China - On January 19 the U.S. Consulate in Hong Kong issued the following Warden Message: "This Warden Message is being issued to alert U. S. citizens to a series of indiscriminate attacks using bottles filled with corrosive fluid that have occurred in Hong Kong since December 2008. The six incidents occurred mostly in popular outdoor shopping areas and resulted in injuries to the victims of the attacks. In all the cases, the attacker or attackers dropped one or more bottles containing corrosive fluid from a multi-story building onto the street. According to Hong Kong officials, the attacker or attackers were not targeting specific individuals.

"The first three attacks took place in December 2008, and May and June of 2009 in Mong Kok. Each occurred near crowded intersections of Sai Yeung Choi Street South. On December 12, 2009, pedestrians in the Causeway Bay district were attacked near the Sogo Department Store. Another attack occurred on December 18 in the residential neighborhood of Tuen Mun. The most recent attack occurred on January 9, 2010, within walking distance of Mong Kok in Yau Ma Tei at the popular Temple Street Night Market. "Although U.S. citizens have not been specifically targeted in the attacks, nearly all the incidents have taken place in crowded shopping districts that are popular with tourists.

"The U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong urges all U.S. citizens living and travelling in Hong Kong to exercise caution and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness."

On January 15 the U.S. Embassy in Beijing issued the following Warden Message: "This warden message is to inform Americans of recent U.S. media reports concerning the potential danger of children's metal jewelry produced in China containing cadmium. Inez Tenenbaum, Chairman of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), warns that young children should not be given or allowed to play with metal costume jewelry made in China. "Since 2004, the CPSC has conducted recalls of more than 180 million pieces of metal jewelry because they contained a hazardous amount of lead. Recent reports indicate that producers of children's jewelry in China are using potentially dangerous levels of the heavy metal cadmium, a known carcinogen, as a substitute. In response to these reports, Chairman Tenenbaum states that the CPSC has opened a formal investigation into the dangers of children's metal jewelry manufactured in China.

"The CPSC warns that swallowing, sucking on or chewing a metal charm or necklace could result in exposure to lead, cadmium or other heavy metals, which are known to be toxic at certain levels of exposure. CPSC further warns caregivers to protect young children from possibly being exposed to lead, cadmium or any other hazardous heavy metal by removing any items that may contain the offending metals. "It is very difficult to determine if a specific item contains harmful levels of a metal. Please check the CPSC website at http://www.cpsc.gov/index.html for more information and further updates."

Haiti - - On January 14 the U.S. Department of State issued the following Travel Warning: "The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the situation in Haiti and urges them to avoid travel to Haiti in the aftermath of a powerful earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12. An earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale struck near Port Au Prince, followed by multiple aftershocks. The U.S. Embassy is working to ascertain the extent of the damage and check on the status of U.S. citizens around the island. The Department of State has ordered nonemergency U.S. government personnel to depart Haiti. This Travel Warning expires on February 13, 2010.

"There are reports of extensive damage, and communications remain extremely difficult. Additional aftershocks remain a possibility. A Tsunami Watch for Haiti and neighboring islands issued by the Pacific Tsunami Alert Center has expired. "U.S. citizens in Haiti should remain in shelter. If exposed when an aftershock hits, take steps to avoid falling debris by getting to as open a space as possible, away from walls, windows, buildings and other structures. If indoors, take shelter under a heavy table or desk, or in a doorway. Avoid damaged buildings, and obey all instructions from local authorities. Do not use matches, lighters, candles or other flame in case of disrupted gas lines. Avoid downed power lines.

"Evacuation flights have begun to depart the International Airport in Port-au-Prince. U.S. citizens wishing to depart Haiti should make their way to the airport during early daylight hours, in as safe a manner as possible. They are encouraged to bring their passport and identification, if available, and food, water and supplies, if possible, as facilities at the airport are limited to nonexistent.

"If possible, U.S. citizens in Haiti should contact friends and relatives outside of Haiti to inform them of their welfare. "The U.S. Embassy in Port Au Prince has set up a task force at the Embassy which is taking calls as conditions permit. The Embassy is working to identify U.S. citizens in Haiti who need urgent assistance and to identify sources of emergency help.

"U.S. citizens are urged to contact the Embassy via email at ACSPaP@state.gov to request assistance. U.S. citizens in Haiti can call the Embassy's Consular Task Force at 509-2229-8942, 509-2229-8089, 509-2229-8322, or 509-2229-8672. The State Department has also created a task force to monitor the emergency. People in the U.S. or Canada with information or inquiries about U.S. citizens in Haiti may reach the Haiti Task Force at 888-407-4747. Outside of the U.S. and Canada, call 202-501-4444. For further information and updates, please see the State Department's Consular Affairs website."

Kenya - On January 15 the U.S. Embassy Nairobi issued the following Warden Message: "U.S. Embassy Nairobi wishes to alert the U.S. resident community that there has been a threat to kidnap Westerners in Dadaab refugee camp in northeastern Kenya. Reports state that al-Shabab agents plan to enter Dadaab refugee camp feigning to visit relatives/friends, and then kidnap any Westerner in the vicinity. There was no additional information on the specific timing, method or target of the attack. "U.S. citizens should exercise extreme caution when traveling in northeastern Kenya in light of this current threat and recent kidnappings of Westerners (including U.S. citizens) near the Somali border."

Malaysia - On January 15 the U.S. Embassy in Malaysia issued the following Warden Notice: "There are indications that both criminal and terrorist groups are planning or intend acts of violence against foreigners in eastern Sabah, notwithstanding the Government of Malaysia's increased ability to detect, deter and prevent such attacks. The Abu Sayyaf Group, based in the southern Philippines, has kidnapped foreigners in eastern Sabah in the past. Criminal elements are also responsible for kidnapping and piracy committed against foreigners. Of present concern are the resorts (and transportation to and from) located in isolated areas of eastern Sabah, including Semporna and the islands of Mabul and Sipadan. Please avoid or use extreme caution in connection with any travel in these areas.