Kokua Line
Kokua Line
Question: I am planning a trip to Egypt and the Middle East next month. Do you have any information on whether the State Department has approved a ban on travel to any Arabic nation? U.S. advises Americans
not to visit 30 countriesAnswer: The State Department is recommending that Americans avoid several countries in that part of the world. Those countries have been tagged with "travel warnings."
The State Department "can't stop Americans from traveling, but there are certain countries where we can restrict the use of the passport, or in certain cases, like Cuba, the Treasury Department has certain restrictions," said a spokeswoman for the Bureau of Consular Affairs.
It is usually best to check the individual consulate information sheet for the country you are interested in, she said.
As of yesterday, travel warnings had been issued for 30 countries: Afghanistan, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Iran, Iraq, Kyrgyz Republic, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Israel (including the West Bank and Gaza), Lebanon, Algeria, Angola, Burundi, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Libya, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Solomon Islands, Guinea-Bissau and Colombia.
The State Department also issues "public announcements" about terrorist threats and other short-term conditions that pose significant risks or disruptions to Americans.
According to the State Department, such announcements "are made any time there is a perceived threat and usually have Americans as a particular target group. In the past, public announcements have been issued to deal with short-term coups, bomb threats to airlines, violence by terrorists and anniversary dates of specific terrorist events."
A public announcement of "worldwide caution" was issued for Sept. 12 through March 12, 2002; while a "Middle East update" was issued Aug. 10 through Nov. 10, 2001.
On July 18 a public announcement was issued for the Arabian Peninsula, as follows:
"The United States government has strong indications that individuals may be planning imminent terrorist actions against U.S. interests in the Arabian Peninsula. In the past, such individuals have not distinguished between official and civilian targets. As always, we take this information seriously. U.S. government facilities remain at a heightened state of alert." American citizens in the region are urged to remain vigilant with regard to their personal security and to exercise caution.
"We have no further information on specific targets, timing or method of attack."
The announcement expires on Oct. 17.
Other public announcements are in effect for Uzbekistan, Rwanda, Belgium, Nepal, Uganda, Colombia, Italy, Belgium, South Africa, Sudan, Kyrgyz Republic, East Timor, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Jamaica, Bangladesh, Mali, Philippines, Malaysia, China and Haiti.
You can get updated information by checking the State Department's Web site, www.travel.state.gov/travel_warnings.html.
Or, you can call its autofax system, 202-647-3000, to get the information faxed to you, or 202-647-5225 to hear recorded information.
Mahalo
On Saturday, Sept. 8, our car was scratched while parked at Ward Centre. It wasn't serious damage, so we might not have noticed it for several days. However, the driver who did the damage called her insurance company, got a claim number and left a note on our windshield with all the information we needed to follow through. She could so easily have done nothing and walked away. We want her to know how much we appreciate her honesty and helpfulness. -- Two Grateful Seniors
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