Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09STATE76973
2009-07-23 15:14:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Secretary of State
Cable title:  

TRAVEL WARNING - AFGHANISTAN

Tags:  CASC ASEC OTRA PETER PREL AF 
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 076973 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CASC ASEC OTRA PETER PREL AF
SUBJECT: TRAVEL WARNING - AFGHANISTAN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 076973

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CASC ASEC OTRA PETER PREL AF
SUBJECT: TRAVEL WARNING - AFGHANISTAN


1. The Department of State warns U.S. citizens against
travel to Afghanistan. The security threat to all
American citizens in Afghanistan remains critical.
This supersedes the Travel Warning for Afghanistan
issued September 10, 2008, to remind U.S. citizens of
the security risks, including kidnapping.


2. No part of Afghanistan should be considered immune
from violence, and the potential exists throughout the
country for hostile acts, either targeted or random,
against American and other Western nationals at any
time. Remnants of the former Taliban regime and the al-
Qa'ida terrorist network, and other groups hostile to
International Security Assistance Force (ISAF)/NATO
military operations, remain active. There is an ongoing
threat to kidnap and assassinate U.S. citizens and Non-
Governmental Organization (NGO) workers throughout the
country. Afghan authorities have a limited ability to
maintain order and ensure the security of citizens and
visitors. Travel in all areas of Afghanistan is unsafe
due to military operations, landmines, banditry, armed
rivalry among political and tribal groups, and the
possibility of terrorist attacks, including attacks
using vehicular or other improvised explosive devices
(IEDs). The security environment remains volatile and
unpredictable.

3. Kabul is still considered at high risk for militant
attacks, including rocket attacks, vehicle borne IEDs,
and suicide bombings. The number of attacks in the
south and southeastern areas of the country continues to
be high as a result of insurgent and drug-related
activity, but no part of the country is immune from
attacks. More than 100 attacks were reported in Kabul
over the past year, although many additional attacks
were thwarted by Afghan and coalition forces. An
additional 4,400 attacks occurred nationwide during the
same timeframe.


4. Incidents have occurred with some frequency on the
Kabul-Jalalabad Road (commonly called Jalalabad Road)
and Kabul to Bagram Road. These roads are highly
restricted for Embassy employees and, if the security
situation warrants, sometimes prohibited completely.


5. Foreigners throughout the country continue to be
targeted for violent attacks and kidnappings, whether
motivated by terrorism or criminal activity. In January

2008, gunmen attacked the Serena Hotel and killed eight
people, including an American contractor and a Norwegian
journalist. In April 2008, an assassination attempt
against Afghan President Karzai showed the continued
desire of the insurgency to destabilize the Afghan
government. The July 2008 bombing of the Indian Embassy
in downtown Kabul, near many Western embassies and
Afghan Government institutions, demonstrated the ability
of the insurgents to undertake assaults within Kabul
itself. In February 2009, insurgents launched a complex
attack on multiple government buildings in Kabul.
Rocket fire and rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) attacks
have occurred frequently. In August 2008, three female
Western non-governmental organization (NGO) employees,
along with their male Afghan driver, were gunned down as
they traveled south of Kabul. Several American citizens
were kidnapped in the six-month period between October
2008 and April 2009.


6. Riots and incidents of civil disturbance can and do
occur, often without warning. American citizens should
avoid rallies and demonstrations; even demonstrations
intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and
escalate into violence.

STATE 00076973 002 OF 002



7. Carjackings, robberies and violent crime remain a
problem. American citizens involved in property
disputes -- a common legal problem -- have reported that
their adversaries in the disputes have threatened their
lives. Americans who find themselves in such situations
cannot assume that either local law enforcement or the
U.S. Embassy will be able to assist them.


8. From time to time, depending on current security
conditions, the U.S. Embassy places areas frequented by
foreigners off limits to its personnel. Potential
target areas include key national or international
government establishments, international organizations
and other locations with expatriate personnel, and
public areas popular with the expatriate community.
Private U.S. citizens are strongly urged to heed these
restrictions as well and may obtain the latest
information by consulting the embassy Web site below.


9. The United States Embassy's ability to provide
emergency consular services to U.S. citizens in
Afghanistan is limited, particularly for those persons
outside the capital. U.S. citizens who choose to visit
or remain in Afghanistan despite this Travel Warning are
encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy through the
State Department's travel registration Web site,
https://travelregistration.state.gov, and to obtain
updated information on travel and security within
Afghanistan. Americans without Internet access may
register directly with the U.S. Embassy. Registering
makes it easier for the Embassy to contact Americans in
case of emergency. The U.S. Embassy is located at Great
Masood Road between Radio Afghanistan and the Ministry
of Public Health (the road is also known as Bebe Mahro
or Airport Road),Kabul. The phone number is +93-700-
108-001 or +93-700-108-002; the Consular Section can be
reached for after-hours emergencies at +93-700-201-908.
The Embassy website is http://afghanistan.usembassy.gov.


10. Updated information on travel and security in
Afghanistan may be obtained from the Department of State
by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States
and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and
Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. For
further information, please consult the Country Specific
Information for Afghanistan and the current Worldwide
Caution, which are available on the Bureau of Consular
Affairs Internet Web site at http://travel.state.gov.


11. Minimize considered.
CLINTON