Here There and Everywhere

From: Consular Section

Subject: Warden Notice 2008 – 18

Please circulate the following message without additions or omissions
immediately to all American citizens within your area of responsibility.

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TRAVEL ALERT – ARABIAN PENINSULA AND PERSIAN GULF

1. This Travel Alert is being issued to warn Americans about heightened security
concerns in and around the Arabian Peninsula and Persian Gulf. U.S. citizens
traveling to or already in the region are reminded to maintain a high level of
vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness.
This Travel Alert expires on February 22, 2009.

2. The security threat level in the Arabian Peninsula and Persian Gulf region
remains high after the September 17 terrorist attack on the U.S. Embassy in
Sana’a, Yemen, in which several security personnel and innocent bystanders,
including one U.S. citizen, were killed. Credible information indicates that
al-Qaida and affiliated organizations continue to plan attacks against U.S.
interests in the region. These attacks may employ a wide variety of tactics
including suicide operations, assassinations, kidnappings, hijackings and
bombings. While conventional weapons such as explosive devices are a more
immediate threat in many areas, the use of non-conventional weapons, including
chemical or biological agents, must be considered a possible threat. Terrorists
do not distinguish between official and civilian targets. Increased security at
official U.S. facilities may lead terrorists and their sympathizers to seek
softer targets such as public transportation, residential areas
, and public areas where people congregate, including restaurants, hotels,
clubs, and shopping areas.

3. Potential targets are not limited to those companies or establishments with
overt U.S. ties. For instance, terrorists may target movie theaters, liquor
stores, bars, casinos, or any similar type of establishment, regardless of
whether they are owned and operated by host country nationals. Due to varying
degrees of security at all such locations, U.S. citizens should be particularly
vigilant when visiting these establishments. From time to time, the Embassy
may restrict official Americans from restaurants, hotels, or shopping areas.
U.S. citizens should exercise caution and take prudent security measures,
including maintaining a high level of vigilance, avoiding crowds and
demonstrations, keeping a low profile, varying times and routes for all travel,
and ensuring travel documents are current.

4. U.S. citizens living or traveling abroad are encouraged to register with the
nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department’s travel
registration web site at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/ so that
they can obtain updated information on travel and security. Americans without
Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or
Consulate. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or
Consulate to contact them in case of emergency.

5. U.S. Government facilities worldwide remain at a heightened state of alert.
These facilities may temporarily close or periodically suspend public services
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 abroad are urged to monitor the local news and maintain
contact with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

6. 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, including the Worldwide Caution,
available on the Internet at http://travel.state.gov.

In addition to information on the Internet, 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,outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at
1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm Monday
through Friday, Eastern Time (except U.S. federal holidays.)
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American citizens with any questions or concerns may telephone the Embassy at
259-1581, 259-1583 or 259-1240. In case of an emergency outside business hours,
American citizens may reach the Embassy duty officer by calling 259-1001.

For the latest security information, Americans should regularly monitor the
Department’s web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide
Caution, Travel Warnings, and Travel Alerts can be found. Up-to-date information
on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the
U.S., or, for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at
1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern
Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays.)

This message may be accessed on the Embassy website, http://kuwait.usembassy.gov

American citizens in Kuwait who would like to receive future Warden Messages
from the Embassy directly by e-mail may sign up for this service by sending an
e-mail to the following address: join-wardenmessagekuwait@mh.databack.com