US Alerts American Citizens to keep away from YEMEN

December 3, 2001

The US Department of State has warned United States citizens to defer
travel to Yemen. The September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States
elevated security concerns for Americans in Yemen that already were high
following a number of terrorist actions and kidnapping incidents over the
past few years. Previous incidents included the October 2000 attack on a
U.S. Navy vessel in port at Aden, which resulted in the death of 17 American
servicemen and women, and the December 1998 kidnapping of 16 Western
tourists, four of whom were killed in a clash between the terrorists and
Yemeni government forces. Further, armed tribesmen in Yemen have kidnapped
a number of foreigners in attempts to resolve disputes with the Yemeni
government.

As a result of these concerns, the Department of State authorized the
voluntary departure from Yemen of non-emergency U.S. Embassy personnel and
the family members of all U.S. Embassy personnel. In addition, the U.S.
Embassy in Sanaa has temporarily limited some services it provides the
public. All regular consular services continue to be provided to American
citizens, but non-immigrant visa processing has been restricted. Emergency
assistance to American citizens during non-business hours is available
through Embassy duty personnel, who can be contacted by telephone at
967-1-303-155.

All American citizens in Yemen are urged to review their personal security
situations and to take those actions they deem appropriate to ensure their
well-being, including consideration of departure from the country. U.S.
citizens who choose to visit or remain in Yemen are urged to maintain a high
level of vigilance, vary routes and times of travel, avoid large crowds and
demonstrations, and treat mail from unfamiliar sources with suspicion.

The Embassy cautions American citizens in Yemen to exercise particular
caution at locations associated with foreigners, such as the Sanaa Trade
Center, American-affiliated franchises, restaurants and shops in the Haddah
area in Sanaa and, in Aden and elsewhere, at restaurants and hotels
associated with expatriates.

The Embassy further advises that Americans who believe they are being
followed or threatened while driving in urban centers should proceed as
quickly as possible to the nearest police station or major intersection and
request assistance from the officers in the blue-and-white police cars
stationed there.

Americans in Yemen also should ensure they are registered with the American
Embassy in Sanaa and should remain in contact with the Embassy for up to
date security information, the alert said.