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State Department: Bosnia and Herzegovina - Travel Warning, October 14, 1998
Bosnia and Herzegovina - Travel Warning
October 14, 1998
The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the continuing potential
for danger of travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina. In particular, the
potential exists in the Republika Srpska entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina
(RS) for retaliation against United States citizens and interests, as
members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) are considering
military action against neighboring Serbia and Montenegro. U.S. Government
personnel who were withdrawn from the RS entity earlier this week are
resuming essential assignments in the RS entity, subject to ongoing
developments in the Kosovo negotiations. Private Americans who are
considering returning to the RS entity are urged to consider carefully
their own personal security situations. Those who decide to return should
remain in close communication with the U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo and be
prepared to leave on very short notice.
The war in Bosnia and Herzegovina was halted by the Dayton Peace Accords
in November 1995. However, there are still risks from occasional localized
political violence, landmines, unexploded ordnance, and carjacking. As
many as one million landmines are still scattered throughout the country,
and visitors are advised to remain on well-trafficked surfaces and
roadways. There are also occasional flare-ups of violence, sometimes
linked to protests over the return of displaced persons and arrests of war
criminals. Visitors should avoid crowds and stay away from demonstrations.
The risk of being caught in political violence remains highest in Mostar,
Brcko, Foca, Drvar, Zepce, Stolac, Zenica, Pale, and Srebrenica.
U.S. citizens in Bosnia and Herzegovina despite the Travel Warning
should register at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo and
obtain updated information on travel and security within Bosnia and
Herzegovina. The Consular Section is located at Ali Pasina 43, telephone
number (387)(71)445-700, fax number (387)(71) 659-969.
No. 98-054
This supersedes the Travel Warning on
Bosnia and Herzegovina dated October 12, 1998, to note the conditional
return of official U.S. Government personnel to the Republika Srpska
entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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