Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
well as other services related to security must be filled by private security
consultants and other providers. It is, therefore, your personal responsi-
bility to access these other options and take steps to enhance your own
level of safety.
As an American citizen abroad, you have the opportunity to attend
scheduled security briefings and training offered by the State Department
in overseas embassies. Congress has mandated that every U.S. Embassy
receive a complete security evaluation every three years. During these
evaluations, the DSS provides a security seminar and briefing for embassy
personnel and American citizens living in the host country even if they
do not work at the embassy. If you are living abroad, contact the local
embassy or consulate and ask when the next such seminar will be held.
The security-related information presented during these seminars is invalu-
able. In addition, many embassies and consulates routinely provide in-
house security workshops that are also open to Americans regardless of
their employment status. These programs are in place and are available
to American citizens living in the host country. Individuals must contact
the embassy and find out when the next training date is scheduled. These
workshops or courses teach the simple rules that must be followed to avoid
becoming a victim of terrorism or violent crime abroad. Remember, the
responsibility to learn about the availability of these courses is your own.
The embassy is not going to contact all expatriate Americans and cajole
them into attending the next security seminar. You need to seek out avail-
able training and learn to exercise prudence and caution while living
abroad. If you are a citizen of another country, contact your own foreign
affairs ministry before you travel. By all means register with your coun-
try's embassy or consulate when you arrive in a new country.
In the aftermath of the attacks of September 11, 2001, the potential
for attacks against American and Western citizens and interests, both at
home and overseas, has become increasingly likely. At the time of this writ-
ing, 189 organizations have been identified as terrorist entities. At the risk
of sounding melodramatic, at this very moment there are terrorists and
their sympathizers planning acts of violence against Americans all over
the world. They do not distinguish between combatants and noncom-
batants, between civilians or government officials, or even among men,
women, and children. Virtually every intelligence agency in the world has
concluded that future attacks on Americans, their interests, and their pos-
sessions are a virtual certainty. It is not a matter of “if ” but “when.” How-
ever, even in this dangerous period in history, many people employed
