U.S. Consulate General Press Releases (1998)

News Release
February 12, 1998
Thursday

U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT ISSUES WORLDWIDE CAUTION ON TRAVEL

U.S. citizens abroad should exercise greater than usual caution

In a worldwide caution issued by the U.S. Department of State on February 5, American citizens traveling or residing abroad are advised to exercise greater than usual caution due to the present situation in Iraq.

Although the U.S. Consulate General is not aware of any change in the security situation in Hong Kong or Macau, as a service to American citizens traveling or living here we are issuing the text of this worldwide caution in this news release.

American citizens who reside in Hong Kong or Macau, or are here for a long-term visit, who have not yet registered with the American Consulate General, are encouraged to do so. They should come in person to the American Citizen Services Section at the Consulate General, 26 Garden Road, with their U.S. Passport. American citizens who have questions about registering, or about this worldwide caution, may call the American Citizen Services Section at 2841-2211 for further information.

In addition, any American citizens anticipating travel to the Middle East, South Asia, and European countries in close proximity, should contact the American Consulate General at the above number. A separate public announcement for those areas was issued on February 10, 1998.

The text of the caution issued in Washington by the State Department follows:

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

WORLDWIDE CAUTION

February 5, 1998

The Government of Iraq continues to defy the international community by refusing United Nations representatives full access to inspect and verify Iraq's weapons of mass destruction programs. In response, the United States has dispatched military forces to the Middle East. While diplomatic options have not been exhausted, the Government of Iraq continues to make provocative and confrontational statements indicating its unwillingness to comply with UN resolutions.

U.S. citizens traveling or residing abroad are advised to exercise greater than usual caution. The Travel Warning of June 25, 1997 advising Americans against travel to Iraq remains in effect.

While at this time we know of no specific threats to U.S. citizens or interests overseas in relation to the present situation in Iraq, we cannot discount the possibility of random acts of anti-American violence. U.S. diplomatic posts worldwide are taking appropriate security precautions. U.S. citizens planning to travel abroad should consult the Department of State's Public Announcements, Travel Warnings, Consular Information Sheets and regional travel brochures, and refer to the Department's advisories on security awareness overseas. American citizens residing or traveling abroad are encouraged to contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for up-to-date information on security conditions. This Public Announcement expires April 30, 1998.

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