Lebanon Open to U.S. Tourists but Still Dangerous

Middle East

Lebanon: The U.S. government lifted a 12-year ban that made it a crime for U.S. citizens to travel to Lebanon, but added that the country is still dangerous, and Secretary of State Madeleine Albright issued a “stern” warning urging Americans not to go there. The ban was imposed in 1985 after the hijacking of a TWA jetliner to Beirut in which an American was killed. It was renewed every six months until July 30, when it was allowed to expire following anti-terrorism pledges by the Lebanese government.

With the lifting of the ban, Lebanon joins countries such as Algeria, Colombia and Iran that the State Department labels dangerous for Americans without actually forbidding them to go there. Countries such as Iraq and Libya remain illegal destinations for U.S. passport-holders.

Israel and the Territories: Following synchronized bombings that killed 13 people plus two suicide bombers in a crowded Jerusalem market late last month, the State Department warned Americans that the likelihood of violence remains high in the region. It cautioned them to avoid crowds and public transportation. Elsewhere in Israel, a British hitchhiker was killed and his girlfriend was wounded by an unidentified man who gave them a ride north from the Red Sea resort of Eilat, then stopped the car in the Negev Desert and shot them.

Africa

Kenya: Following 11 days of violence that left at least 42 Kenyans dead this month, the State Department recommended that travelers avoid the coastal region around the city of Mombasa. During the political/tribal violence, which broke out Aug. 13, thousands of foreign tourists on the coast north and south of Mombasa were warned to stay in their hotels.

Briefly . . .

Bahamas: Only nine days after issuing it, the State Department canceled a warning that criminals were plotting unspecified attacks on American interests in the Bahamas. The department said it found the source of the report to be unreliable. . . . Hungary: A British man was clubbed to death and his wife was seriously injured when they were attacked and robbed by three men outside a small town in northeastern Hungary. . . . . Ukraine: Following the robbery-beatings of two Americans in Kiev, the U.S. Embassy there cautioned visitors to be very careful when entering or leaving buildings via stairwells or elevators, especially at night.

Hot spots: State Department travel warnings are in effect for Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Burundi, Cambodia, Central African Republic, Colombia, Congo (formerly Zaire), Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Montserrat, Nigeria, Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Somalia and Sudan.

The U.S. State Department offers recorded travel warnings and advisories at (202) 647-5225; the fax line is (202) 647-3000. Internet address: https://travel.state.gov.