Terrorism Threat Affects Americans Overseas

The day after the catastrophic terrorist attacks on U.S. soil, the State Department noted “the continuing threat from terrorists” to U.S. interests worldwide and said Americans who plan to go abroad should be aware of potential risks.

Before leaving, travelers should consult State Department travel advisories; telephone (202) 647-5225, Internet https://www.travel.state.gov.

While overseas, they can contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for security updates.

There will be stronger security in many areas. Bomb scares can affect government, commercial and tourist locations, as occurred at the giant Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and the German foreign ministry in Berlin. U.S. embassies, consulates, banks and other businesses may close without notice. Expect increased security at public buildings and tourist sites, affecting access and travel time.

Asia

Japan and South Korea: Terrorists may target U.S. military facilities or places frequented by U.S. military personnel in Japan or South Korea, the U.S. embassies in Tokyo and Seoul warned earlier this month. There have been reports that terrorist leader Osama bin Laden has targeted U.S. military sites in Asia. No threat to tourists was mentioned.

About 40,000 American civilians live in Japan, along with about 48,000 U.S. military personnel, nearly half of whom are stationed in Okinawa.

Europe

Italy: An international conference in the Naples area this week may be disrupted by demonstrations. From Tuesday until Thursday, defense ministers of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization are meeting in Naples’ seaside suburb of Pozzuoli.

“Significant numbers” of demonstrators are expected, and clashes with police are possible, according to the U.S. government. Because of security measures, many areas of Naples, including tourist sites, may be closed. Schedules of airlines, trains, ferries and cruise ships also may be affected.

Australia

Police will be out in force next month to guarantee order when leaders of more than 50 Commonwealth nations, including Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II, gather in Brisbane for their biennial meeting. The Oct. 6-to-9 conference will be Australia’s biggest-ever gathering of world leaders and its most stringent security test since the Sydney Olympics a year ago. Loose alliances of protesters with causes ranging from anti-globalization to the environment have said they will go to Brisbane to demonstrate against the policies of rich nations. Special measures, in effect from Oct. 1 to 10, will allow police to conduct random luggage searches and confiscate items that might be used in demonstrations.

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Turkey: A suicide bomber set off an explosion near Istanbul’s Taksim Square, a popular tourist area, earlier this month, killing two policemen and a female tourist from Australia and injuring 15 others. The apparent target was a nearby police station. Officials identified the dead bomber as a member of a radical leftist group blamed for previous attacks on police.

Hot spots: State Department travel warnings are posted for Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Burundi, Central African Republic, Colombia, Congo, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Macedonia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tajikistan, Yemen and Yugoslavia.