Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
you are aware of their presence. This is recommended for a number of
reasons, the first being your own personal safety. We certainly recommend
that you appear to be an alert and cautious person to anyone trying to
follow you. You will remember the story of the army sergeant in Chapter
2 who was crossed off a terrorist hit list because he seemed to be surveil-
lance conscious. Being aware may very well mark you as a difficult target,
and you may be passed over for an easier subject. However, if you do
detect surveillance, here are a few pointers:
Do not change your routine. Continue about your business.
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Stay in well-lit and populated areas only.
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Do not stare at the people following you or attempt evasion unless
you have reason to believe an attack on you is imminent.
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Calmly proceed to a safe haven like the U.S. embassy (or an embassy
of a friendly nation), a hospital, or a police station.
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Contact the Regional Security Officer as soon as possible.
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The reason not to show that you are aware that you are being followed is
that you do not know how they will react. Therefore, it is prudent not to
provoke any reaction. It is conceivable — not likely, but possible — that you
are being followed in order to be assassinated. Any action you take may
cause those following you to attempt to kill you rather than allowing you
to escape. Perhaps you are being followed by the country's intelligence
service or by local police. Alerting them to the fact that you have become
aware of their activities may cause an unwelcome reaction. You may be
taken into custody for interrogation or you may receive a beating. A friend
of ours works as an agent for the Diplomatic Security Service. He has sto-
ries about other agents finding surveillance devices in hotel rooms they
were staying in while in Russia. More than a few agents tore out such
devices only to have their clothing or tires slashed later in response. The
message being delivered is “You know the game and you need to play by
the rules.” Go about your business and remain calm.
What is the correct response when you realize that you are being fol-
lowed? The U.S. State Department recommends that you contact the
embassy or consulate immediately. We both agree with this approach.
There is really no other option under these circumstances. The embassy
regional security officer will decide whether the local authorities need to
be notified or whether to handle it in-house. This decision will depend
on several factors, most important of which is the level of mutual coop-
eration between the embassy and local authorities. In some countries, the
