Airbubba
28th Oct 2003, 09:13
Not to be negative about expat flying in the Middle East but:
U.S. updates travel warning for Saudi Arabia
Terrorists said to be targeting Western aviation interests
Monday, October 27, 2003 Posted: 8:04 PM EST (0104 GMT)
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Citing "credible information" that terrorists are targeting Western aviation interests in Saudi Arabia, the State Department updated its travel warning for that country Monday.
"The U.S. government continues to receive indications of terrorist threats aimed at American and Western interests, including the targeting of transportation and civil aviation," the advisory said. "The Department of State warns U.S. citizens to defer nonessential travel to Saudi Arabia."
The warning lists a "potential for further terrorist actions against U.S. citizens abroad, including in the Persian Gulf region.
"American citizens in Saudi Arabia should remain vigilant, particularly in public places," the advisory says.
On Saturday, the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, issued a reminder to Americans "of the ongoing terrorist threat in Saudi Arabia," saying terrorist groups there "are still active and planning future operations."
On May 12, coordinated terrorist bombings in Riyadh targeted three compounds housing Westerners, killing 23 people, including nine Americans.
The British Foreign Office posted a similar travel statement on its Web site Friday. It read in part, "We advise British nationals against all but essential travel to Saudi Arabia. We believe terrorists may be in the final phases of planning attacks."
British Airways flights to Saudi Arabia were temporarily suspended for nearly a month August 13 in response to what were called credible al Qaeda threats against aviation interests.
A U.S. official says there has been "concern for some time" that al Qaeda might attack Americans in Saudi Arabia.
Although the official says there is no information on specific targets, the warning is "in part" tied to the observance of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month, which began Monday.
From CNN State Department producer Elise Labott.
http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/10/27/saudi.warning/index.html
U.S. updates travel warning for Saudi Arabia
Terrorists said to be targeting Western aviation interests
Monday, October 27, 2003 Posted: 8:04 PM EST (0104 GMT)
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Citing "credible information" that terrorists are targeting Western aviation interests in Saudi Arabia, the State Department updated its travel warning for that country Monday.
"The U.S. government continues to receive indications of terrorist threats aimed at American and Western interests, including the targeting of transportation and civil aviation," the advisory said. "The Department of State warns U.S. citizens to defer nonessential travel to Saudi Arabia."
The warning lists a "potential for further terrorist actions against U.S. citizens abroad, including in the Persian Gulf region.
"American citizens in Saudi Arabia should remain vigilant, particularly in public places," the advisory says.
On Saturday, the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, issued a reminder to Americans "of the ongoing terrorist threat in Saudi Arabia," saying terrorist groups there "are still active and planning future operations."
On May 12, coordinated terrorist bombings in Riyadh targeted three compounds housing Westerners, killing 23 people, including nine Americans.
The British Foreign Office posted a similar travel statement on its Web site Friday. It read in part, "We advise British nationals against all but essential travel to Saudi Arabia. We believe terrorists may be in the final phases of planning attacks."
British Airways flights to Saudi Arabia were temporarily suspended for nearly a month August 13 in response to what were called credible al Qaeda threats against aviation interests.
A U.S. official says there has been "concern for some time" that al Qaeda might attack Americans in Saudi Arabia.
Although the official says there is no information on specific targets, the warning is "in part" tied to the observance of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month, which began Monday.
From CNN State Department producer Elise Labott.
http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/10/27/saudi.warning/index.html