Americans Urged to Leave Unstable Fiji

South Pacific

Fiji: Americans in Fiji are urged to leave as soon as possible, the State Department said in its latest response to the islands’ growing political instability. Australia and New Zealand issued similarly worded warnings to their citizens, and tourism at most of the islands’ resorts dropped steeply. Estimated losses to the important tourism industry were running at close to $500,000 a day in mid-July. A nearly two-month standoff between government and hostage-holding rebels in the capital ended peacefully 10 days ago. But other nationalist rebel groups seized four tourist resorts on the outer islands--Turtle Island, Laucala Island, the Buca Bay resort on Vanua Levu and the Rukuruku resort on Ovalau. Guests were allowed to leave unharmed. On Turtle Island, where scenes in the movie “The Blue Lagoon” were filmed, 15 Americans were among the 40 or so guests who were detained overnight; they left the next morning. At the Laucala Island resort, which was not open, the Canadian couple who manage the hotel were beaten and held for 24 hours.

Middle East

Jordan: Workers piled sandbags around the U.S. Embassy compound in Amman after diplomats received word that terrorists were targeting the facility. No details were given, but there were indications that the Afghan-based terrorist leader Osama bin Laden’s group was behind the threat. Other sites may also be targeted, and Americans in Jordan should avoid large crowds, vary routes and times of travel and be alert to changing situations, the State Department says in a notice effective until Sept. 21. To be safe, the embassy canceled its annual Fourth of July party at the U.S. ambassador’s residence in Amman. In December, Jordan said it had foiled plans by 28 Arabs with ties to Bin Laden’s group for terrorist attacks against American and Israeli tourists over the New Year’s holiday.

Europe

Northern Ireland: Shootings, bombings and arson marked the height of this year’s “marching season” as Protestants paraded through Catholic areas across the British-ruled province, and the remainder of the summer could be troublesome as well. The State Department urges U.S. citizens in Northern Ireland to be careful through August. Although Americans are not normally targeted during protests, they might be caught up in dangerous situations. Demonstrations can force visitors to alter their transportation routes, and cars registered in the Republic of Ireland have sometimes been vandalized. For security updates, travelers may contact the U.S. Consulate General in Belfast, the U.S. Embassy in London or the Royal Ulster Constabulary (Northern Ireland police).

Worldwide

The Aug. 7 anniversary of the 1998 bombings of U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania may be the occasion for fresh terrorist acts, the State Department notes in a broad-ranging alert to all Americans abroad. With the tourist season at its height, the worldwide caution is not in response to any particular threat but is intended to remind travelers that security remains a prime concern at U.S. government facilities around the world. Terrorist groups that may threaten Americans have a history of not distinguishing between official and civilian targets. For security conditions, travelers can monitor the State Department’s Internet site at the address below.

Briefly . . .

Spain: A car bomb exploded outside one of Madrid’s largest department stores earlier this month, injuring nine people, including an Israeli man. The early-morning blast struck the Plaza Callao, a business and shopping area several blocks from the city’s central square. It was attributed to the Basque terrorist group ETA, which ended a 14-month cease-fire late last year. . . . Greece: Authorities last month arrested a multinational group of con men who allegedly stole money from tourists by pretending to be security officials at archeological sites, the International Herald Tribune reported. According to police, the men pretended to carry out identity checks and asked tourists to declare their currency before stealing some of the money. . . . Mexico: An American couple were shot to death in their home in Ajijic, a Lake Chapala community near Guadalajara where many U.S. expatriates live. The motive may have been a land dispute, police said, adding that four Americans have been slain in the community in the last 30 months. . . . Indonesia: The State Department has updated and extended until Oct. 1 its caution on travel to several regions of Indonesia. Areas that have experienced violence are West Timor, the Molucca Islands, the resort island of Lombok (although not since January), Aceh, Irian Jaya and East Timor, which has declared its independence. . . . Ivory Coast: Because of a military mutiny accompanied by sporadic violence, Americans are urged to put off traveling to Ivory Coast until September. The airport is inaccessible at times, the State Department notes, and the U.S. Embassy may close for general business “as it deems necessary.” . . . Kyrgyz Republic: The security situation in the southern Kyrgyz Republic “remains fluid and potentially dangerous,” and Americans should avoid all travel to areas south and west of the provincial capital of Osh, the State Department says in an announcement in effect until Oct. 15. Militants have raided across the border from Tajikistan and have occasionally taken foreign hostages.

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