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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 STATE 076655 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: CASC PTER ASEC
SUBJECT: WORLDWIDE CAUTION 
 
¶1.  This Worldwide Caution updates information on the 
continuing threat of terrorist actions and violence 
against Americans and interests throughout the world.  In 
some countries, the rise in oil and food prices has caused 
political and economic instability and social unrest. 
American citizens are reminded to maintain a high level of 
vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their 
security awareness.  This supersedes the Worldwide Caution 
dated January 17, 2008. 
 
¶2.  The Department of State remains concerned about the 
continued threat of terrorist attacks, demonstrations and 
other violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests 
overseas.  Current information suggests that al-Qaida and 
affiliated organizations continue to plan terrorist 
attacks against U.S. interests in multiple regions, 
including Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.  These 
attacks may employ a wide variety of tactics including 
suicide operations, assassinations, kidnappings, 
hijackings and bombings. 
 
¶3.  Extremists may elect to use conventional or non- 
conventional weapons, and target both official and private 
interests.  Examples of such targets include high-profile 
sporting events, residential areas, business offices, 
hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools, 
public areas and locales where Americans gather in large 
numbers, including during holidays.  A July 9, 2008 
terrorist attack on Turkish police guarding the U.S. 
Consulate General in Istanbul killed three police officers 
and wounded other police personnel.  On March 15, a bomb 
was detonated at an Italian restaurant in Islamabad, 
killing two and injuring twelve, including five Americans. 
Also on March 15, two bombs exploded at the CS Pattani 
Hotel in southern Thailand killing two and injuring 
thirteen.  In January, a bomb in a disco pub in the 
Philippines killed one and injured eight. 
 
¶4.  Americans are reminded of the potential for terrorists 
to attack public transportation systems.  Recent examples 
include multiple anti-personnel mine detonations on 
passenger buses in June 2008 in Sri Lanka,  multiple 
terrorist attacks on trains in India in 2006, the July 
2005 London Underground bombings, and the March 2004 train 
attacks in Madrid.  Extremists may also select aviation 
and maritime services as possible targets, such as the 
August 2006 plot against aircraft in London, or the 
December 2006 bomb at Madrid's Barajas International 
Airport.  In June 2007, a vehicle was driven into the main 
terminal at Glasgow International Airport and burst into 
flames, but the bomb failed to detonate. 
 
-------------------------------- 
The Middle East and North Africa 
-------------------------------- 
 
¶5.  Credible information indicates terrorist groups seek 
to continue attacks against U.S. interests in the Middle 
East and North Africa.  Terrorist actions may include 
bombings, hijackings, hostage taking, kidnappings, and 
assassinations.  While conventional weapons such as 
explosive devices are a more immediate threat in many 
areas, use of non-conventional weapons, including chemical 
or biological agents, must be considered a possible 
threat.  Terrorists do not distinguish between official 
and civilian targets.  Increased security at official U.S. 
facilities has led terrorists and their sympathizers to 
seek softer targets such as public transportation, 
residential areas, and public areas where people 
congregate, including restaurants, hotels, clubs, and 
shopping areas. 
 
STATE 00076655  002 OF 004 
 
 
¶6.  On March 18, 2008, a mortar attack on the U.S. Embassy 
in Yemen injured several Yemeni citizens in the vicinity. 
On January 15, a roadside explosion in Beirut, Lebanon 
damaged a U.S. Embassy vehicle, killing three Lebanese and 
injuring an American citizen.   On December 11, 2007, two 
vehicle-borne explosive devices were detonated at the UN 
headquarters in Algiers and the Algerian Constitutional 
Council.  Three suicide bomb attacks in July and September 
of 2007 in Algeria killed more than 80 people.  In July 
2007, suspected al-Qaida operatives carried out a vehicle- 
borne explosive device attack on tourists at the Bilquis 
Temple in Yemen, killing eight Spanish tourists and their 
two Yemeni drivers.  There was a series of bombings in 
Morocco in March and April 2007, two of which occurred 
simultaneously outside the U.S. Consulate General and the 
private American Language Center in Casablanca. 
Additionally, an attack took place on the American 
International School in Gaza in April 2007.  These events 
underscore the intent of terrorist entities to target 
facilities perceived to cater to Westerners.  The 
September 2006 attack on the U.S. Embassy in Syria and the 
March 2006 bombing near the U.S. Consulate in Karachi, 
Pakistan illustrate the continuing desire of extremists to 
strike American targets. 
 
¶7.  Potential targets are not limited to those companies 
or establishments with overt U.S. ties.  For instance, 
terrorists may target movie theaters, liquor stores, bars, 
casinos, or any similar type of establishment, regardless 
of whether they are owned and operated by host country 
nationals.  Due to varying degrees of security at all such 
locations, Americans should be particularly vigilant when 
visiting these establishments. 
 
¶8.  The violence in Iraq, clashes between Palestinians and 
Israelis, and clashes between terrorist extremists and the 
Lebanese Armed Forces have the potential to produce 
demonstrations and unrest throughout the region. 
Americans are reminded that demonstrations and rioting can 
occur with little or no warning.  In addition, the 
Department of State continues to warn of the possibility 
for violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests in 
the region.  Anti-American violence could include possible 
terrorist actions against aviation, ground transportation, 
and maritime interests, specifically in the Middle East, 
including the Red Sea, Persian Gulf, the Arabian 
Peninsula, and North Africa. 
 
¶9.  The Department is concerned that extremists may be 
planning to carry out attacks against Westerners and oil 
workers on the Arabian Peninsula.  Armed attacks targeting 
foreign nationals in Saudi Arabia that resulted in many 
deaths and injuries, including U.S. citizens, appear to 
have been preceded by extensive surveillance.  Tourist 
destinations in Egypt that are frequented by Westerners 
were attacked in April 2006 resulting in many deaths and 
injuries, including Americans.  Extremists may be 
surveilling Westerners, particularly at hotels, housing 
areas, and rental car facilities.  Potential targets may 
include U.S. contractors, particularly those related to 
military interests.  Financial or economic venues of value 
also could be considered as possible targets; the failed 
attack on the Abqaiq oil processing facility in Saudi 
Arabia in late February 2006 and the September 2006 attack 
on oil facilities in Yemen are examples. 
 
----------- 
East Africa 
----------- 
 
¶10.  A number of al-Qaida operatives and other extremists 
are believed to be operating in and around East Africa. 
As a result of the conflict in Somalia, some of these 
individuals may seek to relocate elsewhere in the region. 
 
STATE 00076655  003 OF 004 
 
 
Americans considering travel to the region and those 
already there should review their plans carefully, remain 
vigilant with regard to their personal security, and 
exercise caution.  Terrorist actions may include suicide 
operations, bombings, kidnappings or targeting maritime 
vessels.  Terrorists do not distinguish between official 
and civilian targets.  Increased security at official U.S. 
facilities has led terrorists to seek softer targets such 
as hotels, beach resorts, prominent public places, and 
landmarks.  In particular, terrorists and likeminded 
extremists may target international aid workers, civil 
aviation and seaports in various locations throughout East 
Africa, including Somalia.  Americans in remote areas or 
border regions where military or police authority is 
limited or non-existent could also become targets. 
 
¶11.  Americans considering travel by sea near the Horn of 
Africa or in the southern Red Sea should exercise extreme 
caution, as there have been several incidents of armed 
attacks, robberies, and kidnappings for ransom at sea by 
pirates during the past several years.  Merchant vessels 
continue to be hijacked in Somali territorial waters, 
while others have been hijacked as far as 300 nautical 
miles off the coast of Somalia in international waters. 
 
¶12.  The U.S. Government maritime authorities advise 
mariners to avoid the port of Mogadishu, and to remain at 
least 200 nautical miles off the coast of Somalia.  In 
addition, when transiting around the Horn of Africa or in 
the Red Sea, it is strongly recommended that vessels 
travel in convoys, and maintain good communications 
contact at all times. 
 
---------------------- 
South and Central Asia 
---------------------- 
 
¶13. The U.S. Government continues to receive information 
that terrorist groups in South and Central Asia may be 
planning attacks in the region, possibly against U.S. 
Government facilities, American citizens, or American 
interests.  The presence of al-Qaida, Taliban elements, 
indigenous sectarian groups, and other terror 
organizations, many of which are on the U.S. Government's 
list of foreign terror organizations, poses a potential 
danger to American citizens in the region.  Continuing 
tensions in the Middle East may also increase the threat 
of anti-Western or anti-American violence in the region. 
¶14.  Terrorists and their sympathizers have demonstrated 
their willingness and capability to attack targets where 
Americans or Westerners are known to congregate or visit. 
Their actions may include, but are not limited to, 
vehicle-born explosives, improvised explosive devices, 
assassinations, carjackings, rocket attacks, assaults or 
kidnappings.  On June 2, 2008, a large bomb exploded in 
front of the Danish Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan killing 
at least six people and wounding nearly 20.  In May 2008, 
a series of coordinated bombings occurred in market and 
temple areas of the tourist city of Jaipur in Rajasthan, 
India.  In Afghanistan, kidnappings and terrorist attacks on 
international organizations, international aid workers, 
and foreign interests continue.  In Sri Lanka, the 
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam and other groups have 
conducted suicide bombings at political rallies, 
government buildings, and major economic targets, and in 
recent months have increasingly targeted public 
transportation.  Although there is no indication that 
American citizens were targeted in these attacks, and none 
were injured, there is a heightened risk of American 
citizens being victims of violence by being in the wrong 
place at the wrong time. 
 
¶15.  Previous terrorist attacks conducted in Central Asia 
have involved improvised explosive devices and suicide 
bombers and have targeted public areas, such as markets, 
 
STATE 00076655  004 OF 004 
 
 
local government facilities, and, in 2004, the U.S. and 
Israeli Embassies in Uzbekistan.  In addition, hostage- 
takings and skirmishes have occurred near the Uzbek-Tajik- 
Kyrgyz border areas. 
 
------------- 
Before You Go 
------------- 
 
¶16.  U.S. citizens living or traveling abroad are 
encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or 
Consulate through the State Department's travel 
registration web site at 
https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/ so that they 
can obtain updated information on travel and security. 
Americans without Internet access may register directly 
with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.  By 
registering, American citizens make it easier for the 
Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency. 
U.S. citizens are strongly encouraged to maintain a high 
level of vigilance, be aware of local events, and take the 
appropriate steps to bolster their personal security.  For 
additional information, please refer to "A Safe Trip 
Abroad" found at http://travel.state.gov. 
 
¶17.  U.S. Government facilities worldwide remain at a 
heightened state of alert.  These facilities may 
temporarily close or periodically suspend public services 
to assess their security posture.  In those instances, 
U.S. embassies and consulates will make every effort to 
provide emergency services to U.S. citizens.  Americans 
abroad are urged to monitor the local news and maintain 
contact with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. 
 
¶18.  As the Department continues to develop information on 
any potential security threats to U.S. citizens overseas, 
it shares credible threat information through its Consular 
Information Program documents, available on the Internet 
at http://travel.state.gov. 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 U.S. and Canada or, outside the U.S. and Canada 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.) 
 
¶19.  Minimize considered. 
RICE