Travel Warning

[deepspell]

Just in case any of you had plans of going to iraq

Iraq Travel Warning

June 25, 2004

This Travel Warning provides updated information on the dangerous security situation in Iraq and informs Americans that the period surrounding the transfer of authority from the Coalition Provisional Authority to the Government of Iraq poses an increased risk of attacks on civilians, including American citizens. International organizations have reduced their staffing in Iraq as a result of attacks, bombings, and a threat to civil aviation. The security threat to all American citizens in Iraq remains extremely high. This supersedes the Travel Warning of March 23, 2004.

The Department of State continues to strongly warn U.S. citizens against travel to Iraq. Remnants of the former Baath regime, transnational terrorists, and criminal elements remain active. There may be a period of increased danger leading up to and following the transfer of authority on June 30 from the Coalition Provisional Authority to the new Government of Iraq. Attacks against civilian targets throughout Iraq continue at a high rate, including at hotels, police stations, checkpoints entering Coalition Provisional Authority areas, foreign diplomatic missions, and against international organizations and personnel. These attacks have resulted in deaths and injuries of American citizens, including those doing humanitarian work. There is credible information that terrorists have targeted civil aviation in Iraq. In addition, there have been planned and random killings, as well as extortions and kidnappings. Coalition-led military operations continue, and there are daily attacks against Coalition forces throughout the country. Attacks against coalition forces as well as civilian targets occur throughout the day, but travel at night is exceptionally dangerous. Hotels, restaurants and locations with expatriate staff continue to be attacked. The security environment in all of Iraq is dangerous, volatile and unpredictable. Although restrictions on the use of U.S. passports for travel to, in or through Iraq have been lifted, travel to Iraq remains very dangerous.

All vehicular travel in Iraq is extremely dangerous, and there have been numerous attacks on civilian vehicles, as well as military convoys. Travel in or through Ramadi and Fallujah, travel between al-Hillah and Baghdad, and travel between the Green Zone and Baghdad International Airport is particularly dangerous. There has been an increase in the use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) and/or mines on roads, particularly in plastic bags, soda cans, and dead animals. Grenades and explosives have been thrown into vehicles from overpasses, particularly in crowded areas. Travel should be continuously reviewed for necessity and adequate security and only undertaken when absolutely necessary and with the appropriate security resources.

There are U.S. consular officers located at the Iraq Forum (Convention Center) across from the al-Rashid Hotel who can provide limited emergency services to U.S. citizens in Iraq. During the week surrounding the transition period, travel to and from the Green Zone will be extremely limited. In cases of emergency, Americans needing access to or assistance from the U.S. consular office in Baghdad will be considered on a case-by-case basis. The consular office in Baghdad cannot provide visa services. American citizens who choose to visit or remain in Iraq despite this Warning are urged to pay close attention to their personal security, should avoid crowded areas, rallies and demonstrations, and should inform the U.S. consular office of their presence in Iraq.

American citizens may obtain the latest security information or other information about Iraq by phone: 1-703-270-0210, or by e-mail: pboyd@usaid.gov. Detailed security information is also available at http://www.centcom.mil and security.advisor@us.army.mil.

Updated information on travel and security in Iraq may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 within the United States, or, from overseas, 1-317-472-2328. For further information, please consult the Consular Information Sheet for Iraq, the current Worldwide Caution and the Middle East and North Africa Public Announcement, all of which are available on the Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet website at http://travel.state.gov.

*********************************************************** See http://travel.state.gov/travel_warnings.html for State Department Travel Warnings ************************************************************ To change your subscription, go to http://www.state.gov/www/listservs_cms.html

[ghhhhhost]

well thanx for that!! now i can go ahead and cancel my land-trip thru tikrit!!..whewww!! thank goodness..

[ghhhhhost]

oh dude if u could..look up if there are any travel warnings/advisories for Tunisia??/

[funks0ul]

http://travel.state.gov/tunisia.html

[deepspell]

nuttin really for tunisia...this one might interest you tho....

correct me if im wrong but i thought i read somewhere that u decend from this area of the world serge

Bosnia-Herzegovina

June 2, 2004

This Travel Warning has been revised to update security information and remind American citizens of the potential danger of travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina. This Travel Warning supersedes that of November 12, 2003.

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens that there are still risks from occasional localized political violence, landmines, and unexploded ordnance in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Local violence may occur without warning. Recently, raids to capture indicted war criminal Radovan Karadzic gave rise to local disturbances and protests in March and April 2004. Resentment against NATO-lead Stabilisation Forces (SFOR) continues especially in the far eastern parts of the country. Attacks against minority returnees also continue sporadically in certain parts of the country. The international community, including American interests, continues to be the target of occasional threats. Crime is also on the rise, particularly in Sarajevo and other urban areas.

U.S. Government facilities worldwide remain at a heightened state of alert, and may close temporarily or suspend public services to review their security posture. The Embassy in Sarajevo has closed in the past to review its security posture and may have to do so again. In those instances, the Embassy will make every effort to continue providing emergency services to American citizens. Official U.S. Government employees and affiliated personnel under the Embassy's authority are subject to periodic travel restrictions when the security situation warrants it. These restrictions are subject to change on short notice, and Americans who visit Bosnia-Herzegovina should contact the Embassy in Sarajevo for updated security information.

Although mine and unexploded ordnance clearance continues, there are still areas that are deemed unsafe by international de-mining organizations. Estimates vary, but a conservative figure suggests that more than 500,000 mines and other unexploded ordnance remain uncleared. While urban areas have been declared "mine-safe," the location of some minefields is unknown and the de-mining community recommends remaining on hard-packed surfaces. Abandoned and destroyed buildings and orchards should not be approached, as uncleared mines still surround them. Families traveling with children should be especially aware of this danger and make sure the children do not stray from safe areas.

Persons considering travel to Bosnia should check the latest information available before traveling. It is always recommended to avoid crowds and demonstration, keep a low profile in dress and actions, and stay alert for changes in the security situation. The U.S. Embassy may not be able to provide consular services to U.S. citizen in areas where local authorities will not cooperate with or protect U.S. Government officials.

American citizens resident in or traveling to Bosnia and Herzegovina despite this Travel Warning should remain vigilant with regard to their personal security and are strongly advised to register with the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo and enroll in the warden system (emergency alert network) in order to obtain updated information on travel and security in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy can be reached at (387) (33) 445-700; after hours, a duty officer can be reached at (387(33) 445-700. If after dialing you receive a recorded message, press "0", and then ask for the duty officer; fax: (387) (33) 221-837; Internet address http://www.usembassy.ba. U.S. travelers can also get up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 in the U.S. or Canada, or on a regular toll line at 1-317-472-2328. U.S. citizens should also consult the Department of State's Consular Information Sheet for Bosnia and Herzegovina and Worldwide Caution Public Announcement at http://travel.state.gov.

Return to Consular Information Sheets and Travel Warnings Page

[ghhhhhost]

haah..im not from Bosnia (thank god). Im from Montenegro...which prolly has the same warning as Bosnia..because...we are the Pariah state of Europe...woo hoooo

[deepspell]

ah i see i have an idea where that is!

eastern europe , well.....actually most of the world has travel warnings

dude....there is NO WHERE safe to travel for americans these days. soooo sad

[ghhhhhost]

thank god i still got my commi yugoslav passport..which offers me no-visa travel to such exotic destinations as Ethiopia, Nigeria, Iraq, Iran, Palestine, Cuba, Sudan etc etc

[dgmodel]

spring break lake habiniyah '04~!

[deepspell]

spring break lake habiniyah '04~!