State Department: Worldwide Caution - Public Announcement, June 10, 1999

Worldwide Caution - Public Announcement
June 10, 1999

The Department of State reminds American citizens worldwide of the need to remain vigilant with regard to their personal security. The Department is issuing this Public Announcement, not in response to any one particular threat or event, but to emphasize its ongoing concern for the security of Americans overseas.

The Department of State continues to receive reports that make us concerned about the safety and security of both official U.S. Government personnel and private American citizens. We take these threats seriously. As a result, security has been increased at United States Government facilities worldwide. A number of our posts have temporarily suspended or limited services to the public at various times, and others may have to do so in the future. U.S. citizens traveling or residing abroad are urged to review their security practices, to remain alert to the changing situation, and to exercise caution.

Terrorists, including Usama bin Ladin (who has been indicted for the bombings of our Embassies in Africa and for threatening to kill American citizens outside the United States), continue their threats against the United States and have not distinguished between military and civilian targets. The potential also exists for retaliatory acts against U.S. citizens as a result of the apprehension of suspects in the bombings of the U.S. Embassies in Nairobi, Kenya and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; the U.S. strikes against terrorist targets in Afghanistan and Sudan last August; in response to U.N. and NATO actions in Iraq and Serbia, respectively; and the Ocalan trial in Turkey.

The Department of State reminds Americans to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness. Americans should maintain a low profile, vary routes and times for all required travel, and treat mail from unfamiliar sources with suspicion.

American citizens traveling or residing abroad may contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate by telephone or fax for up-to-date information on security conditions. In addition, U.S. citizens planning to travel abroad should consult the Department of State's Public Announcements, Travel Warnings, Consular Information Sheets, and regional travel brochures.

This Public Announcement supersedes the March 17, 1999 "Worldwide Caution" Public Announcement, and supplements the May 28, 1999 "Worldwide Caution - Kurdish Reaction" and the April 30, 1999 "Worldwide Caution - Serbia Montenegro" Public Announcements. This Public Announcement expires on September 17, 1999.