Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
also posts advisories and alerts for those areas in which a developing sit-
uation could pose a danger to American citizens. If there is an alert for the
area that you are going to, take it seriously. In the past, it took a bit of evi-
dence and, unfortunately, the occasional tragedy before an alert was posted.
The reason for this is political reality. It is important to remember that the
State Department is a government (hence political) agency run by diplo-
mats. The art of diplomacy is complicated. At the State Department, they
are mindful of the fact that posting a travel advisory results in a large
number of consequences. Many countries depend a great deal on tourist
dollars. Alerts may have immediate and potentially dire consequences for
many economies. They also put a chill on relationships between the United
States and the country that is the subject of the alert. In the pre-September
11 world, political issues often delayed the posting of alerts. If circumstances
required the maintenance of positive relationships with a particular coun-
try that ordinarily would have been the subject of an advisory, pressures
within the State Department often delayed the issuance of an alert, or
watered it down. This is not mere cynicism. Sometimes world political
issues require delicate handling. However, in the post-September 11 world,
alerts have been posted more rapidly and have been more explicit. For exam-
ple, below is an excerpt of an alert posted on the State Department's Traveler
Advisory website on November 20, 2002:
This Worldwide Caution supersedes the Worldwide Caution dated November 6.
It is being issued to alert U.S. citizens to the need to remain vigilant and to
remind them of the continuing threat of terrorist actions that may target civil-
ians. This Worldwide Caution expires on May 20, 2003.
In light of the statement released by Osama Bin Laden on November 12,
2002, the Department of State reminds Americans that U.S. citizens and inter-
ests remain at increased risk of terrorist attacks, including by groups with links
to Osama Bin Laden's Al Qaeda organization. Terrorist actions may include, but
are not limited to, suicide operations or kidnappings. These individuals have
proved that they do not distinguish between official and civilian targets. Because
security and security awareness have been elevated within the United States, the
terrorist may target U.S. interests overseas. Recent events include the terrorist
attacks in Kuwait and Bali. We remind American citizens to remain vigilant with
regard to their personal security and to exercise caution.
On November 14, 2002, the State of Virginia executed Mir Aimal Kansi,
a Pakistani national, who was convicted in 1997 of the 1993 murders of two
CIA employees. The potential exists for retaliatory acts against U.S. or other for-
eign interests in response to the execution.
