State Department: Croatia - Public Announcement, March 23, 1999

Croatia - Public Announcement
March 23, 1999

Due to the failure of the government of Serbia-Montenegro to accept a peaceful, political resolution to the crisis in Kosovo, and due to ongoing violence perpetrated by security forces of Serbia-Montenegro against ethnic Albanians in Kosovo, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) alliance has taken steps that could lead to military intervention, including aerial bombing. This action could be decided upon in the very near future.

There currently exists no specific threat against U.S. citizens or U.S. interests in the Republic of Croatia. However, if NATO initiates military action, the reaction of the authorities in Serbia-Montenegro, and of individuals in both Serbia-Montenegro and the Republika Srpska entity of Bosnia-Herzegovina, is not certain. Therefore, Embassy Zagreb personnel are exercising caution in pursuing official travel to regions of Croatia that border directly on Serbia - in particular, Eastern Slavonia - or the northern border of the Republika Srpska. U.S. citizens in Croatia are urged to keep abreast of developments and to practice prudent personal security.

For further information, please consult the Department of State's Travel Warnings for Serbia-Montenegro and Bosnia-Herzegovina, and the Consular Information Sheet for Croatia.

This Public Announcement expires June 22, 1999.