Worldwide Caution - Public Announcement
September 10, 2003
U.S. Department of State
Washington, DC
This supersedes the Worldwide Caution dated July 29, 2003. It is being issued
to remind U.S. citizens of the continuing threat of terrorist actions that may
target U.S. citizens and to update these potential threats, especially around
the anniversary date of the September 11, 2001, attacks. The U.S. Government
remains deeply concerned about the security of U.S. citizens overseas. U.S.
citizens are cautioned to maintain a high level of vigilance, to remain alert
and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness. This
Worldwide Caution expires on February 10, 2004.
With the second anniversary of the September 11, 2001, attacks upon us, we are
seeing increasing indications that Al-Qaida is preparing to strike U.S.
interests abroad.
Looking at the last few months, Al-Qaida and its associated organizations have
struck in the Middle East in Riyadh, in North Africa in Casablanca, and in East
Asia in Indonesia. We therefore assess that European or Eurasian locations
could be venues for the next round of attacks, possibly to closely coincide
with the anniversary of the 11 September attack. We expect Al-Qaida will
strive for new attacks that will be more devastating than the September 11
attack, possibly involving nonconventional weapons such as chemical or
biological agents. We also cannot rule out the potential for Al Qaida to
attempt a second catastrophic attack within the U. S.
Terrorist actions may include, but are not limited to, suicide operations,
hijackings, bombings or kidnappings. These may also involve commercial aircraft
and threats to include conventional weapons, such as explosive devices.
Terrorists do not distinguish between official and civilian targets. These may
include facilities where American citizens and other foreigners congregate or
visit, including residential areas, clubs, restaurants, places of worship,
schools, hotels, outdoor recreation events or resorts and beaches. U.S.
citizens should remain in a heightened state of personal security awareness
when attendance at such locations is unavoidable.
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 assess their security posture. In those instances, U.S. embassies and
consulates will make every effort to provide emergency services to U.S.
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 U.S. citizens
overseas, it shares credible threat information through its Consular
Information Program documents, available on the Internet at
travel.state.gov. In addition to information on the Internet, U.S.
travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling
1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. or outside the U.S. and Canada on a
regular toll line at 1-317-472-2328.
September 10, 2003
U.S. Department of State
Washington, DC
This supersedes the Worldwide Caution dated July 29, 2003. It is being issued
to remind U.S. citizens of the continuing threat of terrorist actions that may
target U.S. citizens and to update these potential threats, especially around
the anniversary date of the September 11, 2001, attacks. The U.S. Government
remains deeply concerned about the security of U.S. citizens overseas. U.S.
citizens are cautioned to maintain a high level of vigilance, to remain alert
and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness. This
Worldwide Caution expires on February 10, 2004.
With the second anniversary of the September 11, 2001, attacks upon us, we are
seeing increasing indications that Al-Qaida is preparing to strike U.S.
interests abroad.
Looking at the last few months, Al-Qaida and its associated organizations have
struck in the Middle East in Riyadh, in North Africa in Casablanca, and in East
Asia in Indonesia. We therefore assess that European or Eurasian locations
could be venues for the next round of attacks, possibly to closely coincide
with the anniversary of the 11 September attack. We expect Al-Qaida will
strive for new attacks that will be more devastating than the September 11
attack, possibly involving nonconventional weapons such as chemical or
biological agents. We also cannot rule out the potential for Al Qaida to
attempt a second catastrophic attack within the U. S.
Terrorist actions may include, but are not limited to, suicide operations,
hijackings, bombings or kidnappings. These may also involve commercial aircraft
and threats to include conventional weapons, such as explosive devices.
Terrorists do not distinguish between official and civilian targets. These may
include facilities where American citizens and other foreigners congregate or
visit, including residential areas, clubs, restaurants, places of worship,
schools, hotels, outdoor recreation events or resorts and beaches. U.S.
citizens should remain in a heightened state of personal security awareness
when attendance at such locations is unavoidable.
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 assess their security posture. In those instances, U.S. embassies and
consulates will make every effort to provide emergency services to U.S.
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 U.S. citizens
overseas, it shares credible threat information through its Consular
Information Program documents, available on the Internet at
travel.state.gov. In addition to information on the Internet, U.S.
travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling
1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. or outside the U.S. and Canada on a
regular toll line at 1-317-472-2328.