Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
directed law enforcement effort and stemming the flow of the money that
finances these groups greatly interferes with their ability to operate. Even
so, active and well-prepared terror cells still are ready to initiate strikes
against U.S. interests. However, several factors in the equation are within
the control of the potential target, and they all are tied to your particular
level of vulnerability. Reduce vulnerability and you provide less of an
opportunity to an attacker. Providing less opportunity dramatically reduces
the probability of a terrorist group making a successful attack. Therefore,
assessing and eliminating vulnerability is the most effective method of
enhancing security.
What is the current situation as of today? At the time of this writing,
the U.S. State Department had put out a general worldwide alert remind-
ing all U.S. citizens abroad that they were targets and were likely to remain
so. The caution stated:
This Public Announcement is being updated to alert Americans to an increased
potential for anti-American violence, including terrorist actions against U.S. cit-
izens, as a result of the military action in Iraq. The U.S. government remains
deeply concerned about the security of Americans overseas. American citizens are
reminded that it is more important than ever to maintain a high level of vigi-
lance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness. This
Worldwide Caution supersedes that issued on February 6, 2003 and expires on
July 20, 2003.
As a result of military action in Iraq, there is a potential for retaliatory
actions to be taken against U.S. citizens and interests throughout the world.
Public demonstrations carry the potential for precipitating violence directed at
American citizens, symbols associated with the United States or other U.S. and
Western interests.
The threat to U.S. citizens includes the risk of attacks by terrorist groups.
Terrorist actions may include, but are not limited to, suicide operations, bomb-
ings or kidnappings. Possible threats include conventional weapons such as
explosive devices or non-conventional weapons, including chemical or biologi-
cal agents. Terrorists do not distinguish between official and civilian targets.
These may include facilities where Americans and other foreigners congregate or
visit, such as residential areas, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools,
hotels, outdoor recreation events or resorts and beaches. U.S. citizens should
increase their security awareness at such locations, avoid them, or switch to other
locations where Americans in large numbers generally do not congregate.
U.S. government facilities worldwide remain at a heightened state of alert
and some have drawn down their dependents and/or personnel. These facilities
may temporarily close or suspend public services from time to time for security
