TRAVEL WARNING - HAITI

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 038536

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CASC ASEC OTRA HT
SUBJECT: TRAVEL WARNING - HAITI


1. This Travel Warning is being issued to inform American
citizens of violent demonstrations in Haiti and to urge
American citizens to defer non-essential travel to the
country. Official Americans are restricted from travel to
Haiti. American citizens visiting Haiti should consider
departing as soon as circumstances permit. Americans in
Haiti should remain vigilant in regard to their personal
security, take commonsense precautions, and avoid any
event where crowds may congregate. The violence may
result in occasional limitation of Embassy operations to
emergency services. Americans are also reminded of
ongoing security concerns in Haiti, including frequent
kidnappings of Americans for ransom. This Travel Warning
supersedes the Travel Warning for Haiti issued on August
31, 2007.


2. In early April 2008, there was a violent outbreak of
civil unrest in Haiti. Protestors angered by high food
prices filled the streets of Port-au-Prince, forcing
businesses and schools to close. Demonstrations continue
and have frequently turned violent with firing of weapons,
rock throwing, tire-burning, erection of street
barricades, and looting. The violence has forced most
people to stay indoors and stranded others in isolated
locations. The demonstrations began in the southern city
of Les Cayes, where four persons were reported killed
during clashes with U.N. peacekeepers. Haitian National
Police and U.N. troops are in the streets to restore
order, using teargas and rubber bullets to disperse
rioters and looters. Mobs, burning tires, and barricades
along the main routes of the capital have disrupted access
to the Port-au-Prince International Airport, which remains
open.


3. American citizens should defer non-essential travel to
Haiti at this time. Those visiting Haiti should consider
departing as soon as circumstances permit. Americans in
Haiti are advised to remain vigilant in regard to their
personal security, take commonsense precautions, and avoid
any event where crowds may congregate. Due to the absence
of an effective police force in much of Haiti, there is a
potential for looting, the presence of intermittent
roadblocks set by armed gangs or by the police, and the
possibility of random violent crime, including carjacking
and assault. Americans in Haiti should closely monitor
news media and the U.S. Embassy's website at
http://haiti.usembassy.gov/warden_information .html.


4. U.S. citizens traveling to and residing in Haiti
despite this warning are reminded that there is also a
chronic danger of violent crime, especially kidnappings.
Most kidnappings are criminal in nature, and the
kidnappers make no distinctions of nationality, race,
gender or age; all are vulnerable. There were 29 reported
kidnappings of Americans in 2007. As of the date of this
Travel Warning thirteen Americans were reported kidnapped
in 2008. Most of the Americans were abducted in Port-au-
Prince. These kidnappings have been marked by deaths,
brutal physical and sexual assault, and shooting of
Americans. The lack of civil protections in Haiti, as well
as the limited capability of local law enforcement to
resolve kidnapping cases, further compounds the element of
danger surrounding this trend.


5. Travel is always hazardous within Port-au-Prince.
Official American visitors are restricted from traveling
to Haiti at the present time. U.S. Embassy personnel are
under an embassy-imposed curfew and must remain in their
homes or in U.S. government facilities during the curfew.
Some areas are off-limits to embassy staff after dark,

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including downtown Port-au-Prince. The embassy limits
travel by its staff to areas outside of Port-au-Prince and
therefore the ability to provide emergency services to
U.S. citizens outside of Port-au-Prince is constrained.
The UN stabilization force (MINUSTAH) remains fully
deployed and is assisting the government of Haiti in
providing security.


6. The Department of State strongly advises U.S. citizens
traveling to or residing in Haiti to register either
online at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ or
with the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-
Prince. The Consular Section can be reached at (509) 223-
7011, fax number (509) 223-9665, or e-mail address
acspap@state.gov. Travelers should also consult the
Department of State's latest Country Specific Information
for Haiti 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 or
Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from overseas. In Haiti, citizens
can call 509/222-0200, ext. 2000.


7. Minimize considered.
RICE