---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Mon, 25 Aug 2003 08:58:25 -0400 From: PA List Manager <statelists@STATE.GOV> To: DOSTRAVEL@LISTS.STATE.GOV Subject: Iraq Travel Warning Iraq Travel Warning United States Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs Washington, DC 20520 August 22, 2003 This Travel Warning provides updated information on the security situation in Iraq and advises Americans of the bombing at the UN headquarters that resulted in deaths and injuries of American citizens. The security threat to all American citizens in Iraq remains high. This replaces the Travel Warning of July 15, 2003. On August 19, 2003, an explosion occurred at the UN headquarters located at the Canal Hotel in Baghdad. An explosion also occurred at the Jordanian Embassy in Baghdad on August 7, 2003. The Department of State continues to strongly warn U.S. citizens against travel to Iraq. Although the restrictions on the use of U.S. passport travel to, in or through Iraq has been lifted, travel to Iraq remains dangerous. Remnants of the former Baath regime, transnational terrorists, and criminal elements remain active. Coalition led military operations continue, and there are daily attacks against Coalition forces throughout the country. Attacks have occurred in Baghdad, Faluja, Ramadi, Tikrit, Bayji, Baqubah, Mosul, Kirkuk and other areas, but the security environment in all of Iraq remains volatile and unpredictable. Attacks on coalition forces as well as civilian targets usually occur during the late evening and early morning hours. Travel at night is extremely dangerous. There have been attacks on civilian as well as military convoys. Travelers are strongly urged to travel in convoys of at least four vehicles in daylight hours only. There has been an increase in the use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) and/or mines on roads, particularly in plastic bags, soda cans, and dead animals. Grenades and explosives have been thrown into vehicles from overpasses, particularly in crowded areas. There is a U.S. consular officer in Baghdad who can provide limited emergency services to U.S. citizens in Iraq and is located at the Iraq Forum (Convention Center) across from the al-Rashid Hotel. The consular officer cannot provide visa service. American citizens who choose to visit or remain in Iraq despite the warning contained herein are urged to pay close attention to their personal security, should avoid rallies and demonstrations, and should inform the U.S. consular officer of their presence in Iraq. American citizens may obtain the latest security information or other information about Iraq by phone: 1-914-360-1025, or by e-mail: payneba@orha.centcom.mil. Detailed security information is also available at http://www.centcom.mil. Updated information on travel and security in Iraq may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 within the United States, and from overseas, 1-317-472-2328. U.S. citizens who plan to travel to or remain in Iraq despite this Travel Warning should consult the Department of State's latest Consular Information sheets and the current Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, which are available on the Department's Internet site at http://travel.state.gov. *********************************************************** See http://travel.state.gov/travel_warnings.html for State Department Travel Warnings ************************************************************ To change your subscription, go to http://www.state.gov/www/listservs_cms.html