State Department Issues Worldwide Caution on Continuing Threat of Terrorist Attacks
On January 9, 2004 the State Department issued a Worldwide Caution to remind U.S. citizens of the continuing threat that they may be targets of terrorist attacks despite the lowering of the homeland security threat level to Yellow (Elevated) from Orange (High).
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(See ITT's Online Archives or 12/23/03 news, 03122305, for BP summary of State Department's previous Worldwide Caution on the elevation of the homeland security threat level.)
According to this Worldwide Caution which expires on July 9, 2004, the U.S. government remains deeply concerned about the security of U.S. citizens overseas. The State Department cautions U.S. citizens to maintain a high level of vigilance, to remain alert and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness. The State Department adds that there are increasing indications that Al-Qaida is preparing to strike U.S. interests abroad.
The State Department explains that as Al-Qaida and its associated organizations have struck in the Middle East in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and in Europe in Istanbul, Turkey, it assesses that other geographic locations could be venues for the next round of attacks. Moreover, it expects Al-Qaida will strive for new attacks designed to be more devastating than the September 11 attack, possibly involving non-conventional weapons such as chemical or biological agents. The State Department further states that it cannot rule out that Al-Qaida will attempt a second catastrophic attack within the U.S.
According to the State Department, U.S. government facilities worldwide remain at a heightened state of alert and may temporarily close or suspend public services from time to time to assess their security posture. However, in those instances U.S. embassies and consulates will make every effort to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens. The State Department urges Americans abroad to monitor the local news and maintain contact with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
As the State 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 at http://travel.state.gov. See notice for other methods of obtaining up-to-date security information.
State Department Worldwide Caution (dated 01/09/04) available at http://travel.state.gov/wwc1.html