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| Arabia | |
| County alert on terrorist attacks against Western targets | |
| 2003-07-27 | |
SAUDI ARABIA: Americans and Britons living in Saudi Arabia were Saturday reminded by their embassies to remain alert for further "terrorist attacks against Western targets" in the kingdom. "We continue to receive information that terrorists may be considering further attacks against Western targets in Saudi Arabia, including housing compounds," the British embassy said in a fresh warning. "The Saudi security forces' recent successes may have disrupted some of these plans, but the risk remains. There is also a continuing risk of opportunistic attacks on Western individuals," the embassy added. The US embassy in Riyadh informed Americans of the decision by the State Department to allow the immediate return of all employees and their family members, but reminded them of "remaining security concerns." "US citizens are reminded of remaining security concerns and the potential for further terrorist attacks in Saudi Arabia," the Gulf region, and abroad said a new warden message posted on the embassy website Saturday.
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| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |
| #2 There actually was an attack on an American two days ago but it's being covered up. |
| Posted by: anon 2003-7-27 2:28:08 AM |
| #1 I used to receive "Warden Messages" from both the American and British Consulates - I lived in the same compound in which the Brit Consulate was located, in fact, Al Bustan Village in Al Khobar - 20 km from Dhahran. These messages came approx biweekly. Below is the text of the May 1, 2003 message - just two weeks before the Riyadh bombings. The prior 10 or 15 messages were all exactly like this. Really really helpful. Your tax dollars at work. ;-> "The Embassy requests that wardens pass the following message in its entirety to members of the American Community: United States Department of State TRAVEL WARNING FOR SAUDI ARABIA: May 01, 2003 This Travel Warning is being updated to alert U.S. citizens to increased security concerns in Saudi Arabia. This Travel Warning supersedes that of February 12, 2003. The Department of State warns U.S. citizens to defer non-essential travel to Saudi Arabia. Information indicates that terrorist groups may be in the final phases of planning attacks against U.S. interests in Saudi Arabia. There is no information regarding the possible target. Non-emergency personnel and family members of the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Saudi Arabia continue to be authorized to depart Saudi Arabia on a voluntary basis. Private U.S. citizens currently in Saudi Arabia should evaluate their own security situations, and should consider departing Saudi Arabia. The U.S. Embassy and Consulates have advised employees and family members to limit travel to essential business only. As stated in the current Public Announcement, Middle East and North Africa Update, Americans are reminded of the potential for further terrorist actions against U.S. citizens abroad, specifically in the Middle East, including the Persian Gulf. Personnel at the United States Embassy and Consulates in Saudi Arabia remain available to provide emergency information and services to American citizens. U.S. citizens who remain in Saudi Arabia despite this Travel Warning are encouraged to register at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh, or at the Consulates in Jeddah and Dhahran, and enroll in the warden system (emergency alert network) in order to obtain updated information on travel and security in Saudi Arabia. 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 http://travel.state.gov. In addition to information on the Internet, U.S. travelers can get up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 in the U.S., or outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-317-472-2328. U.S. citizens should also consult the Department of State's Consular Information Sheet for Saudi Arabia http://travel.state.gov/saudi.html and the World Wide Caution Public Announcement http://travel.state.gov/wwc1.html, on the Department's internet website at http://travel.state.gov. #21/2003 Agiane E. Ziadeh Consular Assistant American Consulate General, Dhahran Phone: 966 3 330-3200 x 3120 Fax: 966 3 330-6816 |
| Posted by: PD 2003-7-27 2:06:02 AM |