State Department issues another worldwide travel caution to U.S. citizens
December 24, 1998
Web posted at: 5:15 p.m. EST (2215 GMT)
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The U.S. State Department has issued another worldwide caution for Americans to remain vigilant about their personal safety as they travel during and after this holiday season.
The department cites the recent attack on Iraq, the bombings of the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania and recent arrests of suspects in those bombings as reasons why "the potential for retaliatory acts against Americans and American interests overseas continues to exist."
"The Department of State continues to receive reports that make us
concerned about the safety and security of both official U.S. government and
civilian targets. We take these threats seriously and the U.S. has increased
security at United States government facilities worldwide."
Administration officials tell CNN the caution -- last issued November 12 --
is meant only as a reminder and not to imply any threats were specifically
related to this week. They refused to say whether the U.S. had any new
information about threats. But they say it is not unusual to issue such travel
cautions after the U.S. has been involved in a military conflict -- a time when
terrorists may be prone to attack American targets.
The department specifically mentioned suspected terrorist Osama Bin
Laden, who has been indicted in the U.S. for plotting the two U.S. embassy
bombings in Africa, as one person making threats against American targets.
Americans, according to the State Department, are warned to maintain a
low profile and vary their traveling routes.
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