BREAKING: US State Dept. issues worldwide travel alert for US citizens through August 31 due to unspecified Al-Qaeda threat

[Business Affairs Office News]

Hello,

Please forward this notice on behalf of the Travel Office to your travel coordinators and anyone currently traveling or departing thru 8/31/13.

FYI.  http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2013/08/02/text-of-state-departments-travel-alert-on-terror-threat/


The State Department issued a world-wide travel alert Friday, citing the potential threat of a terrorist attack from al Qaeda. Here is the text of the alert.

August 2, 2013

The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens to the continued potential for terrorist attacks, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa, and possibly occurring in or emanating from the Arabian Peninsula.  Current information suggests that al-Qa'ida and affiliated organizations continue to plan terrorist attacks both in the region and beyond, and that they may focus efforts to conduct attacks in the period between now and the end of August.  This Travel Alert expires on August 31, 2013.

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 other nations on the threat from international terrorism, including from 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.  We strongly recommend that U.S. citizens Traveling abroad enroll in the Department of State's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program<https://step.state.gov/step/> (STEP).  STEP enrollment  gives you the latest security updates, and makes it easier for the U.S. embassy or nearest U.S. consulate to contact you in an emergency.  If you don't have Internet access, enroll directly with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

For the latest security information, U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State's Internet website at travel.state.gov<http://www.travel.state.gov/> where the Worldwide Caution<http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_4787.html>, Country Specific Information<http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_4965.html>, Travel Warnings<http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html>, and Travel Alerts<http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_1766.html> can be found. Follow us on Twitter<http://twitter.com/travelgov> and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook<http://www.facebook.com/travelgov> as well. Download our free Smart Traveler app, available through iTunes<https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/smart-traveler/id442693988?mt=8> or Google Play<https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=gov.state.apps.smartravel&hl=en>, to have travel information at your fingertips.

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 United States and Canada or, from other countries, 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).
In addition, OSAC announced that all U.S. embassies would be closed this Sunday (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-23544515<http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-23544515>). It doesn't appear that the closures are in countries where we currently have students.

Thanks,

Conny Isaacs
Travel Program Technician
Business Affairs Office
University of Oregon
cisaacs at uoregon.edu<mailto:cisaacs at uoregon.edu>
541-346-0812  voice
541-346-8078  travel fax

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