PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
Worldwide Caution
October 23, 2001
The U.S. Government remains deeply concerned about the security of Americans overseas. On October 7, 2001, the U.S. Government initiated military action pursuant to its inherent right of self-defense recognized in Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, after the events of September 11 in the United States. As a result, there is a potential for strong anti-American sentiment and for retaliatory actions to be taken against U.S. citizens and interests throughout the world by terrorists and those who harbor grievances against the United States. The Department urges Americans to review their circumstances carefully and to take all appropriate measures to ensure their personal safety. Americans are urged to monitor the local news and maintain contact with the nearest American embassy or consulate. The Department will continue to develop information about potential threats to Americans overseas and to share with them credible threat information through its Consular Information Program documents. These documents are available on the Internet at travel.state.gov.
U.S. citizens and interests abroad remain at increased risk of terrorist attacks, including by groups with links to Usama Bin Ladin's Al-Qaida organization. These individuals do not distinguish between official and civilian targets. There has been unconfirmed information that terrorist actions may be taken against U.S. military facilities and/or establishments frequented by U.S. military personnel in Korea and Japan.
Reports of and confirmed cases of exposure to anthrax have caused an increase in anxiety over possible attacks using chemical and biological agents (CBA). Currently, the method of delivery of anthrax has been by letter or package. While the risk of such attacks is limited, it cannot be excluded. The Department will promptly share with American citizens overseas any credible information about threats to their safety. Americans should stay informed and be prepared for any eventuality.
In light of the above information, U.S. Government facilities worldwide remain at a heightened state of alert. U.S. Government facilities have and will continue to temporarily close or suspend public services as necessary to review their security posture and ensure its adequacy. In those instances, U.S. embassies and consulates will make every effort to provide emergency services to American citizens.
U.S. citizens planning to travel abroad should consult the Department of State's Public Announcements, Travel Warnings, Consular Information Sheets, Fact Sheets, and regional travel brochures, all of which are available at the Consular Affairs Internet web site at travel.state.gov. We will continue to provide updated information should it become available. American citizens overseas may contact the American Citizens Services unit of the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate by telephone or fax for up-to-date information on security conditions. American citizens in need of emergency assistance should telephone the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate before visiting there.
In addition to information on the Internet, U.S. travelers may hear recorded information by calling the Department of State in Washington, D.C. at 202-647-5225 from their touch-tone telephone, or receive information by automated telefax by dialing 202-647-3000 from their fax machine.
This Public Announcement supersedes the Public Announcement - Worldwide Cautions of October 7 and September 28, 2001 to consolidate the information and to note concern with regard to reports of exposure to Anthrax. This Public Announcement expires on April 19, 2002.
Worldwide Caution
October 7, 2001
The U.S. Government initiated military action today pursuant to its inherent right of self-defense recognized in Article 51 of the U.N. Charter, after the events of September 11 in the United States. This action may result in strong anti-American sentiment and retaliatory actions against U.S. citizens and interests throughout the world by terrorists and those who are sympathetic to or otherwise support terrorism. Americans in Afghanistan, which continues to harbor international terrorist Usama Bin Ladin, should depart the country. Americans elsewhere are urged to monitor the local news, maintain contact with the nearest American embassy or consulate and to limit their movement in their respective locations. The Department and our embassies and consulates around the world will make every effort to keep Americans informed as the security situation unfolds.
You may also find the latest information by consulting the Department of State Consular Information Sheets on the Internet at travel.state.gov as well as the web sites of our embassies and consulates, which can be accessed through this same site. In addition to information on the Internet, American citizens may hear recorded information by calling the Department of State in Washington, D.C. at 202-647-5225 from their touchtone phone, or receive information by automated telefax by dialing 202-647-3000 from their fax machines.
Worldwide Caution
September 12, 2001
The events of September 11 at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and Somerset, Pennsylvania, serve as a cruel reminder of the continuing threat from terrorists and extremist groups to Americans and American interests worldwide. This situation remains fluid and American citizens should be aware of the potential risks and to take these into consideration when making travel plans. The Department will continue to develop information about potential threats to Americans overseas and to share credible threat information through its Consular Information Program documents available on the Internet at www.travel.state.gov.
As the U.S. Government has reported in Public Announcements over the last several months, U.S. citizens and interests abroad may be at increased risk of terrorist actions from extremist groups. Most recently, we advised that we had unconfirmed information that terrorist actions may be taken against U.S. military facilities and/or establishments frequented by U.S. military personnel in Korea and Japan. In addition, we continue to be concerned about information we received in May 2001 that American citizens may be the target of a terrorist threat from extremist groups with links to Usama Bin Ladin's Al-Qaida organization. In the past, such individuals have not distinguished between official and civilian targets. We take this information seriously. In light of the above information, U.S. Government facilities worldwide remain at a heightened state of alert.
U.S. citizens are urged to maintain a high level of vigilance and to increase their security awareness. Americans should maintain a low profile, vary routes and times for all required travel, and treat mail and packages from unfamiliar sources with suspicion. American citizens are also urged to avoid contact with any suspicious, unfamiliar objects, and to report the presence of the objects to local authorities. Vehicles should not be left unattended and should be kept locked at all times. U.S. Government personnel overseas have been advised to take the same precautions.
U.S. citizens planning to travel abroad should consult the Department of State's Public Announcements, Travel Warnings, Consular Information Sheets, and regional travel brochures, all of which are available at the Consular Affairs Internet website at travel.state.gov. We will continue to provide updated information should it become available. American citizens overseas may contact the American Citizens Services unit of the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate by telephone or fax for up-to-date information on security conditions. American citizens in need of emergency assistance should telephone the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate before visiting there. U.S. Government facilities have and will continue to temporarily close or suspend public services as necessary to review their security posture and ensure its adequacy. In those instances, U.S. Missions will make every effort to provide emergency services to American citizens.
In addition to information on the Internet, U.S. travelers may hear recorded information by calling the Department of State in Washington, D.C. at 202-647-5225 from their touch-tone telephone, or receive information by automated telefax by dialing 202-647-3000 from their fax machine.
This Public Announcement supersedes the Public Announcement - Worldwide Caution of September 7, 2001, to inform U.S. citizens of of our continued concern about safety and security overseas in light of the events of September 11.
Department of State travel information and publications are available at Internet address: travel.state.gov. U.S. travelers may hear recorded information by calling the Department of State in Washington, D.C. at 202-647-5225 from their touchtone telephone, or receive information by automated telefax by dialing 202-647-3000 from their fax machine.
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