Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09STATE119771
2009-11-19 22:29:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Secretary of State
how-toVZCZCXRO3232 OO RUEHIK DE RUEHC #9771 3232234 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 192229Z NOV 09 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO ALL DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR POSTS COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUEHFSI/DIR FSINFATC IMMEDIATE RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RUEHPH/CDC ATLANTA IMMEDIATE 7996 RUCPDOC/ALL USDOC DISTDIR COLLECTIVE WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RHMFISS/CDRAMC FT BELVOIR VA//AMCMI-SS// IMMEDIATE RUEAHQA/HQ USAF WASHINGTON DC//XOXXI// IMMEDIATE RHMFISS/HQ AFOSI DOQ ANDREWS AFB MD//IVOA// IMMEDIATE RHMCSUU/FAA NATIONAL HQ WASHINGTON DC//ACI-400// IMMEDIATE RHMFISS/COMNAVAIRSYSCOM PATUXENT RIVER MD//AIR1031B// IMMEDIATE RHMFIUU/NRC WASHINGTON DC//INFOSEC// IMMEDIATE RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL//CCJ2-JIT// IMMEDIATE RUCPCIM/CIM NTDB WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RHMFISS/COGARD INTELCOORDCEN WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RHMFIUU/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE RHMFISS/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL IMMEDIATE RUEHTRO/AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI IMMEDIATE 0990 RUEHRY/AMEMBASSY CONAKRY IMMEDIATE 2447 INFO RUESBKC/ATO ASIA IMMEDIATE 1980
UNCLAS STATE 119771
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CASC PTER ASEC NG
SUBJECT: TRAVEL ALERT: NIGER
UNCLAS STATE 119771
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CASC PTER ASEC NG
SUBJECT: TRAVEL ALERT: NIGER
1. The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens to the
risks of travel to Niger due to threat of kidnapping, and
recommends against all travel to Niger at this time.
This Travel Alert expires February 28, 2010.
2. On December 14, 2008, two United Nations officials,
former Canadian diplomats, were kidnapped by the
terrorist group Al Qaeda in the Land of the Islamic
Maghreb (AQIM) while returning to Niamey after a visit to
a Canadian-operated gold mine. On January 22, 2009, four
Europeans were abducted by AQIM operatives along the
Mali-Niger border as their tour group returned to Niamey
from a cultural festival in the Malian town of
Anderamboukane. On November 14, 2009, heavily armed
individuals attempted to kidnap U.S. embassy employees in
Tahoua.
3. In addition to the threat of kidnapping posed by
extremists, a State of Alert is in effect for the region
of Agadez, including the cities of Agadez, Arlit, and
Iferouane. The State of Alert means that all travelers
require Government of Niger permission for travel in and
around these cities, and are liable to be stopped and
held for questioning. Moreover, the Nigerien military
has the authority to hold individuals for questioning,
without cause, beyond the standard 48 hours that local
law enforcement is authorized to hold an individual for
questioning before rendering charges.
4. Conditions of insecurity persist throughout northern
and western Niger, and armed groups operate with relative
impunity throughout these border regions. In addition,
conflict zones in northern Niger are strewn with
landmines, further impeding travel. Please note that due
to security concerns, U.S. government employees and
official visitors are not permitted to travel outside of
Niamey at this time.
5. The Department of State urges U.S. citizens traveling
to or remaining in Niger despite this Travel Alert to
take responsibility for their own safety and security.
American citizens should keep abreast of local events,
monitor local news sources, and maintain heightened
situational awareness at all times.
6. The U.S. Embassy in Niamey is located on Rue des
Ambassades. The Embassy's mailing address is P.O. Box
11, 201 Niamey, Republic of Niger. The Embassy's
telephone number is (227) 20-72-26-61. For after-hours
emergencies involving U.S. citizens, please call (227)
20-72-31-41. The Embassy's web site is
http://niamey.usembassy.gov/index.html.
7. Updated travel and security information for Niger may
be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-
888-407-4747 toll-free within the United States and
Canada, or by calling a regular toll line, 1-202-501-
4444, from other countries. For additional information,
please consult the Country Specific Information for Niger
and the Worldwide Caution, which are available on the
Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet website at
http://travel.state.gov.
8. Minimize considered.
CLINTON
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CASC PTER ASEC NG
SUBJECT: TRAVEL ALERT: NIGER
1. The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens to the
risks of travel to Niger due to threat of kidnapping, and
recommends against all travel to Niger at this time.
This Travel Alert expires February 28, 2010.
2. On December 14, 2008, two United Nations officials,
former Canadian diplomats, were kidnapped by the
terrorist group Al Qaeda in the Land of the Islamic
Maghreb (AQIM) while returning to Niamey after a visit to
a Canadian-operated gold mine. On January 22, 2009, four
Europeans were abducted by AQIM operatives along the
Mali-Niger border as their tour group returned to Niamey
from a cultural festival in the Malian town of
Anderamboukane. On November 14, 2009, heavily armed
individuals attempted to kidnap U.S. embassy employees in
Tahoua.
3. In addition to the threat of kidnapping posed by
extremists, a State of Alert is in effect for the region
of Agadez, including the cities of Agadez, Arlit, and
Iferouane. The State of Alert means that all travelers
require Government of Niger permission for travel in and
around these cities, and are liable to be stopped and
held for questioning. Moreover, the Nigerien military
has the authority to hold individuals for questioning,
without cause, beyond the standard 48 hours that local
law enforcement is authorized to hold an individual for
questioning before rendering charges.
4. Conditions of insecurity persist throughout northern
and western Niger, and armed groups operate with relative
impunity throughout these border regions. In addition,
conflict zones in northern Niger are strewn with
landmines, further impeding travel. Please note that due
to security concerns, U.S. government employees and
official visitors are not permitted to travel outside of
Niamey at this time.
5. The Department of State urges U.S. citizens traveling
to or remaining in Niger despite this Travel Alert to
take responsibility for their own safety and security.
American citizens should keep abreast of local events,
monitor local news sources, and maintain heightened
situational awareness at all times.
6. The U.S. Embassy in Niamey is located on Rue des
Ambassades. The Embassy's mailing address is P.O. Box
11, 201 Niamey, Republic of Niger. The Embassy's
telephone number is (227) 20-72-26-61. For after-hours
emergencies involving U.S. citizens, please call (227)
20-72-31-41. The Embassy's web site is
http://niamey.usembassy.gov/index.html.
7. Updated travel and security information for Niger may
be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-
888-407-4747 toll-free within the United States and
Canada, or by calling a regular toll line, 1-202-501-
4444, from other countries. For additional information,
please consult the Country Specific Information for Niger
and the Worldwide Caution, which are available on the
Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet website at
http://travel.state.gov.
8. Minimize considered.
CLINTON