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INFO RUESBKC/ATO ASIA IMMEDIATE 1819

UNCLAS STATE 015096 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: CASC PTER ASEC ER
SUBJECT: TRAVEL WARNING: ERITREA 
 
¶1. The U.S. Department of State continues to warn U.S. 
citizens of the risks of travel to Eritrea and recommends 
that U.S. citizens defer travel at this time.  This 
replaces the Travel Warning dated November 15, 2008, and 
informs U.S. citizens that the consular section of the 
U.S. Embassy in Asmara has re-opened for all American 
Citizen Services. 
 
¶2. The Department of State recommends that U.S. citizens 
defer travel to Eritrea because of Eritrean government 
restrictions on travel outside the capital city of Asmara 
and heightened tensions along Eritrea's borders with 
Ethiopia and Djibouti. 
 
¶3. American citizens considering travel within Eritrea 
should be aware of the presence of large numbers of 
Eritrean and Ethiopian troops along the Eritrean-Ethiopian 
border, and acute political tensions between the two 
countries.  In March 2008, the Eritrean restrictions on 
diesel fuel supplies caused the United Nations Mission in 
Ethiopia and Eritrea's detachments to withdraw from the 
Temporary Security Zone, leaving no international 
observers monitoring the border. 
 
¶4. Since April 2008, Djiboutian and Eritrean troops have 
been deployed along the northeastern border of Djibouti. 
The Djiboutian government claims Eritrean troops have 
crossed into its territory and on June 10, 2008, 
Djiboutian and Eritrean troops exchanged fire along their 
shared border. 
 
¶5. U.S. citizens are strongly advised to avoid travel near 
the Eritrean-Ethiopian border and to the Southern Red Sea 
region, including the port of Assab. 
 
¶6. The Eritrean government continues to restrict the 
travel of all foreign nationals, including resident 
diplomats.  These restrictions require all visitors and 
residents to apply ten days in advance for permission to 
travel outside the Asmara city limits.  As a result, the 
U.S. Embassy cannot provide emergency consular assistance 
outside of Asmara.  The Eritrean government does not 
inform the U.S. Embassy when American citizens have been 
arrested or detained. 
 
¶7. Americans currently living or traveling in Eritrea are 
strongly encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy in 
Asmara in person or through the State Department's travel 
registration web site, 
https://travelregistration.state.gov, and to obtain 
updated information on travel and security within 
Eritrea.  By registering, American citizens make it easier 
for the Embassy to contact them in case of an emergency 
and provide updates on the security situation.  The U.S. 
Embassy is located at 179 Alaa Street, P.O. Box 211, 
Asmara; telephone (291-1) 12-00-04, available 24 hours in 
case of emergency; fax (291-1) 124-255 and (291-1) 127- 
584; web site http://asmara.usembassy.gov/ 

¶8. For additional information, consult the Department of 
State's Country Specific Information sheet for Eritrea and 
the Worldwide Caution at http://travel.state.gov 
American citizens may also obtain up-to-date information 
on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free 
in the United States and Canada, or 1-202-501-4444 from 
overseas. 
 
¶9. Minimize considered. 
 
 
CLINTON