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PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman

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This information is current as of today,

Central Asia

April 26, 2006

This Public Announcement is being reissued to remind Americans of ongoing security concerns and the potential for terrorist actions in Central Asia.  U.S. citizens are advised to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness.  This supersedes the Public Announcement of October 31, 2005 and expires on October 20, 2006.
 
The U.S. Government has received information that terrorist groups in Central Asia may be planning attacks in the region, possibly against U.S. Government facilities, Americans, or American interests.  Elements and supporters of extremist groups present in Central Asia, including the Islamic Jihad Union, Al-Qaida, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), and the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement, have expressed anti-U.S. sentiments in the past and have the capability to conduct terrorist operations in multiple countries.  Previous terrorist attacks conducted in Central Asia have involved the use of improvised explosive devices and suicide bombers and have targeted public areas, such as markets, local government facilities, and the U.S. and Israeli Embassies in Uzbekistan.  In addition, hostage-takings and skirmishes have occurred near the Uzbek-Tajik-Kyrgyz border areas. 

U.S. Embassy personnel in Central Asia continue to observe heightened security precautions at work, as well as in public places, such as markets and bazaars.  Terrorists do not distinguish between official and civilian targets.  As security is increased at official U.S. facilities, terrorists and their sympathizers seek softer targets.  These targets may include facilities where Americans and other foreigners congregate and visit, such as residential areas, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, hotels, schools, outdoor recreation events, resorts, beaches, maritime facilities, and airports.
U.S. citizens in Central Asia are urged to register and update their contact information at the nearest U.S. Embassy or through the Department of State's travel registration website at https://travelregistration.state.gov. 

For more country-specific security information, U.S. citizens planning to travel to or remaining in Central Asia despite this Public Announcement should consult the Department of State's country-specific Travel Warnings, Public Announcements, including the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, and Consular Information Sheets, available on the Department of State's website at http://travel.state.gov.

Updated information on travel and security in Central Asia may also be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 within the United States and Canada or, outside the United States and Canada, 1-202-501-4444.