[Jyf-2001-2002] WORLDWIDE CAUTION

[Margaret Scouten]

Worldwide Caution PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
November 6, 2002

This Worldwide Caution supersedes the Worldwide Caution dated October
10. It
is being issued to alert U.S. citizens to the need to remain vigilant
and to
remind them of the continuing threat of terrorist actions that may
target
civilians. The scheduled November 14 execution of a convicted terrorist
in
Virginia may trigger retaliatory attacks against American interests
overseas. This Worldwide Caution expires on May 7, 2003.
On November 14, 2002, the State of Virginia is scheduled to execute Mir
Ahmad Kasi, also known as Mir Aimal Kansi, a Pakistani national, who was

convicted in 1997 of the 1993 murders of two CIA employees. The
potential
exists for retaliatory acts against U.S. or other foreign interests in
response to the execution.

The U.S. government continues to receive credible indications that
extremist
groups and individuals are planning additional terrorist actions against

U.S. interests. Such actions may include, but are not limited to,
suicide
operations. Because security and security awareness have been elevated
within the United States, the terrorists may target U.S. interests
overseas.
Recent events include the terrorist attacks in Kuwait and Bali. We
remind
American citizens to remain vigilant with regard to their personal
security
and to exercise caution.
Terrorist groups do not distinguish between official and civilian
targets.
Attacks on places of worship and schools, and the murders of private
American citizens and other westerners, demonstrate that as security is
increased at official U.S. facilities, terrorists and their sympathizers

will seek softer targets. These may include facilities where Americans
or
possibly other foreigners are generally known to congregate or visit,
such
as residential areas, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools,
hotels, outdoor recreation events or resorts and beaches. Americans
should
increase their security awareness when they are at such locations, avoid

them, or switch to other locations where Americans in large numbers
generally do not congregate. There is a possibility that American
citizens
may be targeted for kidnapping or assassination.
U.S. Government facilities worldwide remain at a heightened state of
alert.
These facilities may temporarily close or suspend public services from
time
to time to review their security posture and ensure their adequacy. In
those
instances, U.S. embassies and consulates will make every effort to
provide
emergency services to American citizens. Americans are urged to monitor
the
local news and maintain contact with the nearest American embassy or
consulate.
As the Department continues to develop information on any potential
security
threats to Americans overseas, it shares credible threat information
through
its Consular Information Program documents, available on the Internet at

http://travel.state.gov. In addition to information on the Internet,
U.S.
travelers can hear recorded information by calling the Department of
State
in Washington, D.C. at 202-647-5225 from their touch- tone telephone, or

receive information by automated telefax by dialing 202-647-3000 from
their
fax machine.

Department of State travel information and publications are available at

Internet address: http://travel.state.gov. U.S. travelers may hear
recorded
information by calling the Department of State in Washington, D.C. at
202-647-5225 from their touchtone telephone, or receive information by
automated telefax by dialing 202-647-3000 from their fax machine.

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See http://travel.state.gov/travel_warnings.html for
State Department Travel Warnings
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To change your subscription, go to
http://www.state.gov/www/listservs_cms.html
worldwide caution

--
Margaret Scouten, Ph.D.
Director, Junior Year in France
Sweet Briar College
Telephone:  (434) 381-6109
Fax:  (434) 381-6283
Email:  mailto:jyf@sbc.edu
website:  http://www.jyf.sbc.edu