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Warden Notice
WORLDWIDE CAUTION
July 16, 2008
1. This Worldwide Caution updates information on the continuing threat of
terrorist actions and violence against Americans and interests throughout the
world. In some countries, the rise in oil and food prices has caused political
and economic instability and social unrest. American citizens are reminded to
maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase
their security awareness. This supersedes the Worldwide Caution dated January
17, 2008.
2. The Department of State remains concerned about the continued threat of
terrorist attacks, demonstrations and other violent actions against U.S.
citizens and interests overseas. Current information suggests that al-Qaida and
affiliated organizations continue to plan terrorist attacks against U.S.
interests in multiple regions, including Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle
East. These attacks may employ a wide variety of tactics including suicide
operations, assassinations, kidnappings, hijackings and bombings.
3. Extremists may elect to use conventional or non-conventional weapons, and
target both official and private interests. Examples of such targets include
high-profile sporting events, residential areas, business offices, hotels,
clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools, public areas and locales where
Americans gather in large numbers, including during holidays. A July 9, 2008
terrorist attack on Turkish police guarding the U.S. Consulate General in
Istanbul killed three police officers and wounded other police personnel. On
March 15, a bomb was detonated at an Italian restaurant in Islamabad, killing
two and injuring twelve, including five Americans. Also on March 15, two bombs
exploded at the CS Pattani Hotel in southern Thailand killing two and injuring
thirteen. In January, a bomb in a disco pub in the Philippines killed one and
injured eight.
4. Americans are reminded of the potential for terrorists to attack public
transportation systems. Recent examples include multiple anti-personnel mine
detonations on passenger buses in June 2008 in Sri Lanka, multiple terrorist
attacks on trains in India in 2006, the July 2005 London Underground bombings,
and the March 2004 train attacks in Madrid. Extremists may also select aviation
and maritime services as possible targets, such as the August 2006 plot against
aircraft in London, or the December 2006 bomb at Madrid’s Barajas International
Airport. In June 2007, a vehicle was driven into the main terminal at Glasgow
International Airport and burst into flames, but the bomb failed to detonate.
----------------- The Middle East and North Africa -----------------
5. Credible information indicates terrorist groups seek to continue attacks
against U.S. interests in the Middle East and North Africa. Terrorist actions
may include bombings, hijackings, hostage taking, kidnappings, and
assassinations. While conventional weapons such as explosive devices are a more
immediate threat in many areas, use of non-conventional weapons, including
chemical or biological agents, must be considered a possible threat. Terrorists
do not distinguish between official and civilian targets. Increased security at
official U.S. facilities has led terrorists and their sympathizers to seek
softer targets such as public transportation, residential areas, and public
areas where people congregate, including restaurants, hotels, clubs, and
shopping areas.
6. On March 18, 2008, a mortar attack on the U.S. Embassy in Yemen injured
several Yemeni citizens in the vicinity. On January 15, a roadside explosion in
Beirut, Lebanon damaged a U.S. Embassy vehicle, killing three Lebanese and
injuring an American citizen. On December 11, 2007, two vehicle-borne explosive
devices were detonated at the UN headquarters in Algiers and the Algerian
Constitutional Council. Three suicide bomb attacks in July and September of 2007
in Algeria killed more than 80 people. In July 2007, suspected al-Qaida
operatives carried out a vehicle-borne explosive device attack on tourists at
the Bilquis Temple in Yemen, killing eight Spanish tourists and their two Yemeni
drivers. There was a series of bombings in Morocco in March and April 2007, two
of which occurred simultaneously outside the U.S. Consulate General and the
private American Language Center in Casablanca. Additionally, an attack took
place on the American International School in Gaza in April 2007. These events
underscore the intent of terrorist entities to target facilities perceived to
cater to Westerners. The September 2006 attack on the U.S. Embassy in Syria and
the March 2006 bombing near the U.S. Consulate in Karachi, Pakistan illustrate
the continuing desire of extremists to strike American targets.
7. Potential targets are not limited to those companies or establishments with
overt U.S. ties. For instance, terrorists may target movie theaters, liquor
stores, bars, casinos, or any similar type of establishment, regardless of
whether they are owned and operated by host country nationals. Due to varying
degrees of security at all such locations, Americans should be particularly
vigilant when visiting these establishments.
8. The violence in Iraq, clashes between Palestinians and Israelis, and clashes
between terrorist extremists and the Lebanese Armed Forces have the potential to
produce demonstrations and unrest throughout the region. Americans are reminded
that demonstrations and rioting can occur with little or no warning. In
addition, the Department of State continues to warn of the possibility for
violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests in the region. Anti-American
violence could include possible terrorist actions against aviation, ground
transportation, and maritime interests, specifically in the Middle East,
including the Red Sea, Persian Gulf, the Arabian Peninsula, and North Africa.
9. The Department is concerned that extremists may be planning to carry out
attacks against Westerners and oil workers on the Arabian Peninsula. Armed
attacks targeting foreign nationals in Saudi Arabia that resulted in many deaths
and injuries, including U.S. citizens, appear to have been preceded by extensive
surveillance. Tourist destinations in Egypt that are frequented by Westerners
were attacked in April 2006 resulting in many deaths and injuries, including
Americans. Extremists may be surveilling Westerners, particularly at hotels,
housing areas, and rental car facilities. Potential targets may include U.S.
contractors, particularly those related to military interests. Financial or
economic venues of value also could be considered as possible targets; the
failed attack on the Abqaiq oil processing facility in Saudi Arabia in late
February 2006 and the September 2006 attack on oil facilities in Yemen are
examples.
----------------- East Africa -----------------
10. A number of al-Qaida operatives and other extremists are believed to be
operating in and around East Africa. As a result of the conflict in Somalia,
some of these individuals may seek to relocate elsewhere in the region.
Americans considering travel to the region and those already there should review
their plans carefully, remain vigilant with regard to their personal security,
and exercise caution. Terrorist actions may include suicide operations,
bombings, kidnappings or targeting maritime vessels. Terrorists do not
distinguish between official and civilian targets. Increased security at
official U.S. facilities has led terrorists to seek softer targets such as
hotels, beach resorts, prominent public places, and landmarks. In particular,
terrorists and likeminded extremists may target international aid workers, civil
aviation and seaports in various locations throughout East Africa, including
Somalia. Americans in remote areas or border regions where military or police
authority is limited or non-existent could also become targets.
11. Americans considering travel by sea near the Horn of Africa or in the
southern Red Sea should exercise extreme caution, as there have been several
incidents of armed attacks, robberies, and kidnappings for ransom at sea by
pirates during the past several years. Merchant vessels continue to be hijacked
in Somali territorial waters, while others have been hijacked as far as 300
nautical miles off the coast of Somalia in international waters.
12. The U.S. Government maritime authorities advise mariners to avoid the port
of Mogadishu, and to remain at least 200 nautical miles off the coast of
Somalia. In addition, when transiting around the Horn of Africa or in the Red
Sea, it is strongly recommended that vessels travel in convoys, and maintain
good communications contact at all times.
----------------- South and Central Asia -----------------
13. The U.S. Government continues to receive information that terrorist groups
in South and Central Asia may be planning attacks in the region, possibly
against U.S. Government facilities, American citizens, or American interests.
The presence of al-Qaida, Taliban elements, indigenous sectarian groups, and
other terror organizations, many of which are on the U.S. Government’s list of
foreign terror organizations, poses a potential danger to American citizens in
the region. Continuing tensions in the Middle East may also increase the threat
of anti-Western or anti-American violence in the region. Terrorists and their
sympathizers have demonstrated their willingness and capability to attack
targets where Americans or Westerners are known to congregate or visit. Their
actions may include, but are not limited to, vehicle-born explosives, improvised
explosive devices, assassinations, carjackings, rocket attacks, assaults or
kidnappings. On June 2, 2008, a large bomb exploded in front of the Danish
Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan killing at least six people and wounding nearly
20. In May 2008, a series of coordinated bombings occurred in market and temple
areas of the tourist city of Jaipur in Rajasthan, India. In Afghanistan,
kidnappings and terrorist attacks on international organizations, international
aid workers, and foreign interests continue. In Sri Lanka, the Liberation Tigers
of Tamil Eelam and other groups have conducted suicide bombings at political
rallies, government buildings, and major economic targets, and in recent months
have increasingly targeted public transportation. Although there is no
indication that American citizens were targeted in these attacks, and none were
injured, there is a heightened risk of American citizens being victims of
violence by being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Previous terrorist
attacks conducted in Central Asia have involved improvised explosive devices and
suicide bombers and have targeted public areas, such as markets, local
government facilities, and, in 2004, the U.S. and Israeli Embassies in
Uzbekistan. In addition, hostage-takings and skirmishes have occurred near the
Uzbek-Tajik-Kyrgyz border areas.
----------------- Before You Go -----------------
14. U.S. citizens living or traveling abroad are encouraged to register with the
nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department’s travel
registration web site at
https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/ so that they can obtain
updated information on travel and security. Americans without Internet access
may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By
registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to
contact them in case of emergency.
15. U.S. citizens are strongly encouraged to maintain a high level of vigilance,
be aware of local events, and take the appropriate steps to bolster their
personal security. For additional information, please refer to “A Safe Trip
Abroad” found at http://travel.state.gov.
U.S. Government facilities worldwide remain at a heightened state of alert.
These facilities may temporarily close or periodically suspend public services
to assess their security posture. In those instances, U.S. embassies and
consulates will make every effort to provide emergency services to U.S.
citizens. Americans abroad are urged to monitor the local news and maintain
contact with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
16. As the Department continues to develop information on any potential security
threats to U.S. citizens overseas, it shares credible threat information through
its Consular Information Program documents, available on the Internet at
http://travel.state.gov. In addition to
information on the Internet, travelers may obtain up-to-date information on
security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. and Canada
or, outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These
numbers are available from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm Monday through Friday, Eastern
Time (except U.S. federal holidays.)
17. The U.S. Embassy is located on Avenida das Forças Armadas, in the
neighborhood of Sete Rios. Telephone: (351) (21) 727-3300; fax: (351) (21)
726-9109; Internet home page:
http://portugal.usembassy.gov/. The Embassy is located near the Jardim
Zoológico (Sete Rios train stop). The emergency after hours telephone number is
(351) (21) 770-2222.
18. The U.S. Consulate in the Azores is located in the City of Ponta Delgada on
the Island of San Miguel. The address is Av. Principe do Monaco, 6-20, tel:
(351) (296) 282-216, fax: (351) (296) 287-216.
19. There is a part-time
U.S.
Consular Agency in Funchal, on the Island of Madeira, on Rua Alfandega, no
10-2, Room A-B, phone 351-291-235-636, fax 351-291-229-360.
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