Warnings for Mideast, South Asia

Middle East, South Asia

A renewed terrorist threat has prompted the State Department to warn Americans to be especially careful when traveling in the Middle East or South Asia through August. In a May 26 press conference in Afghanistan, exiled Saudi dissident Osama Bin Ladin urged all Muslims to wage a holy war against all Americans, military and civilian. The U.S. government considers Bin Ladin a prime suspect in two terrorist bombings in Saudi Arabia that killed 24 Americans in 1995 and 1996.

Through Aug. 30, Americans should “try to maintain a low profile, reduce travel in the region where possible, vary routes and times for all required travel and treat mail from unfamiliar sources with suspicion,” the State Department said.

Europe

France: U.S. diplomats are geared up to provide consular assistance and protection to Americans visiting France for the World Cup games, which end July 12. In addition to the U.S. Embassy in Paris (telephone 011-33-1-4312-2222), where a duty officer is available around the clock, Washington maintains consulates in Marseilles and Strasbourg and a consular agent in Nice.

South Pacific

Papua New Guinea: Following an attack on the wife of a U.S. Embassy officer in Port Moresby, the Papua New Guinea Foreign Ministry advised governments that the safety of diplomats could not be guaranteed. The government urged the diplomatic community “to take extra precautions when moving around the city, especially at night.”

The embassy officer’s wife was driving home earlier this month when she was struck in the head by a hurled rock. Her car overturned, and she was robbed by a group of young men.

A subsequent internal State Department memo described Port Moresby as “the most dangerous capital in the East Asia-Pacific area in which to work.”

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

Wright is a former assistant foreign editor at The Times. His column appears monthly.