| This
Travel Warning is being updated to reflect that the Department
of State has authorized the departure of non-emergency personnel
and family members from the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Saudi
Arabia. Previously, authorization was granted only for family
members. This Travel Warning supersedes that of January 30,
2003.
The Department of State alerts
Americans to increased security concerns in Saudi Arabia. The
Department of State has authorized the departure of family
members and non-emergency personnel of the U.S. Embassy and
Consulates on a voluntary basis. Private American citizens
currently in Saudi Arabia should evaluate rigorously their own
security situations and should consider departing, especially
given decreased flight availability at a time of high demand
related to school holidays and the Hajj.
The Department of State warns
U.S. citizens to consider carefully the increased risks of
travel to Saudi Arabia. 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.
As a result of these concerns
about the reduced availability of commercial transportation
during the Hajj period, on February 12, 2003, the Department of
State authorized the departure, on a voluntary basis, of family
members and non-emergency personnel of the U.S. Embassy and
Consulates in Saudi Arabia. U.S. consular personnel 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.
The U.S. Embassy in Riyadh,
Saudi Arabia, is located at Collector Road M, Riyadh Diplomatic
Quarter. The international mailing address is P.O. Box 94309,
Riyadh 11693. Mail may also be sent via the U.S. Postal Service
to: U.S. Embassy, Unit 61307, APO AE 09803-1307. The Embassy
telephone number is (966) (1) 488-3800, fax (966) (1) 488-7275. |
