U.S. issues alert for Americans in Europe

Turborama

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Sun Oct-03-10 07:51 AM
Original message

U.S. issues alert for Americans in Europe

Edited on Sun Oct-03-10 08:23 AM by Turborama

Source: CNN International

By the CNN Wire Staff
October 3, 2010 -- Updated 12:54 GMT

The U.S. State Department has issued a travel alert for U.S. citizens in Europe, based on information that suggests that al Qaeda and affiliated organizations continue to plan terrorist attacks. Americans are warned to be aware of their surroundings and protect themselves when traveling.

One senior U.S. official said earlier that in addition to the travel alert from the State Department, "U.S. military installations are taking prudent precautions. This is a serious situation."

A separate U.S. official said the alert is being prompted by the volume of intelligence on possible terror threats, rather than new intelligence.

It emerged last week that U.S. intelligence officials were looking at information about a possible "Mumbai-style" attack in cities across Europe.

Read more: http://edition.cnn.com/2010/US/10/03/europe.terror.advisory/?hpt=T2

US issues travel warning for Americans in Europe

Source: BBC

The US government has warned its citizens to be vigilant while travelling in Europe because of the threat of an al-Qaeda commando-style attack, in a new travel advisory.

The state department advised nationals to take care while in tourist areas.

The department did not specify a country, issued the updated guidance for the whole of Europe.

=snip=

"US citizens are reminded of the potential for terrorists to attack public transportation systems and other tourist infrastructure," the state department's advisory said.

"Terrorists have targeted and attacked subway and rail systems, as well as aviation and maritime services."

More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-11460335

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The actual alert...

Travel Alert
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of Consular Affairs

Europe

October 3, 2010

The State Department alerts U.S. citizens to the potential for terrorist attacks in Europe. Current information suggests that al-Qa’ida and affiliated organizations continue to plan terrorist attacks. European governments have taken action to guard against a terrorist attack and some have spoken publicly about the heightened threat conditions.

Terrorists may elect to use a variety of means and weapons and target both official and private interests. U.S. citizens are reminded of the potential for terrorists to attack public transportation systems and other tourist infrastructure. Terrorists have targeted and attacked subway and rail systems, as well as aviation and maritime services. U.S. citizens should take every precaution to be aware of their surroundings and to adopt appropriate safety measures to protect themselves when traveling.

We continue to work closely with our European allies on the threat from international terrorism, including al-Qa’ida. Information is routinely shared between the U.S. and our key partners in order to disrupt terrorist plotting, identify and take action against potential operatives, and strengthen our defenses against potential threats.

We recommend U.S. citizens register their travel plans with the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy through the State Department's travel registration website. Travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. and Canada, or on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444 from elsewhere in the world.

For information on general crime and security issues, U.S. citizens should also consult the Department of State's Country-Specific Information as well as the Worldwide Caution, which can be found on the Bureau of Consular Affairs website. For further information on safety tips while traveling abroad, U.S. citizens should also consult the following website: http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/tips_1232.html

This Travel Alert expires on January 31, 2011.
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_europe.html