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DE RUEHC #6745 1532139
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O 022126Z JUN 09
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO ALL DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR POSTS COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEHPH/CDC ATLANTA IMMEDIATE 7572
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RUEHTRO/AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI IMMEDIATE 7650
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INFO RUESBKC/ATO ASIA IMMEDIATE 1873

UNCLAS STATE 056745 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: CASC PTER ASEC ML
SUBJECT: TRAVEL WARNING: MALI 
 
¶1.  The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the 
risks of travel to Mali and recommends against all travel 
to the north of the country due to the kidnapping threats 
against Westerners. 
 
¶2.  Al-Qaeda in the Land of the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) 
has been designated as a terrorist organization by both 
the United States and the European Union, and has 
declared its intention to attack Western targets.  AQIM 
uses northern Mali as a safe haven and platform from 
which to conduct operations.  AQIM kidnapped two Canadian 
diplomats in Niger in December 2008 and four European 
tourists along the Mali-Niger border in January 2009. 
All were believed to be held in northern Mali; the 
Canadians and two of the Europeans were released in April 
¶2009.  The U.S. Embassy's ability to assist American 
citizens in northern Mali is severely limited. 
 
¶3.  In addition to threats posed by AQIM and potential 
hostage takers, confrontations between the Malian 
military and Tuareg rebel groups occurred in Nampala 
along Mali's frontier with Mauritania in December 2008, 
and in the region of Kidal in January 2009.  The threat 
posed by AQIM, continued Tuareg unrest, sporadic 
banditry, and the porous nature of Mali's northern 
borders with Algeria, Niger, and Mauritania all reinforce 
longstanding security concerns affecting travel to 
northern Mali. 
 
¶4.  U.S. Government employees in Mali are required to 
have the written approval of the U.S. Ambassador to Mali 
prior to traveling to the region of Kidal, areas north 
and east of the town of Gao, including along the road to 
Ansongo, the town of Timbuktu, and points further north. 
This restriction includes the site of the popular Tuareg 
music festival at Essakane, north of Timbuktu. 
 
¶5.  All American citizens residing or traveling in Mali 
are urged to register with the Department of State or the 
U.S. Embassy through the State Department's travel 
registration website, 
https://travelregistration.state.gov.  By registering, 
American citizens make it easier for the Embassy to 
contact them in case of emergency.  The U.S. Embassy is 
located at ACI 2000 at Rue 243, Porte 297.  The Embassy's 
mailing address is B.P. 34, Bamako, Mali.  The Embassy's 
telephone number is (223) 2070-2300.  For after-hours 
emergencies, please call (223) 2070-2301 or 2302.  The 
consular fax number is (223) 2070-2340.  The Embassy 
webpage is http://mali.usembassy.gov. 
 
¶6.  Updated information on travel and security in Mali 
may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 
1-888-407-4747 toll-free within the United States and 
Canada or, for callers outside of the United States and 
Canada, on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.  For 
further information, please consult the Country Specific 
Information for Mali and the Worldwide Caution, which are 
available on the Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet 
website at http://travel.state.gov. 
 
¶7.  Minimize considered. 
CLINTON