US Tells Citizens Abroad: Be Ready to Move
Reuters ^ | 1/24/03 | Reuters
US Tells Citizens Abroad: Be Ready to Move Fri January 24, 2003 04:08 PM ET WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The State Department is sending a cable to embassies around the world telling Americans abroad to be ready to leave their resident country quickly in an emergency, State Department officials said on Friday. A senior official made no comment when asked if the cable was related to the possibility of a U.S.-led military campaign against Iraq, which Washington has threatened with war if it fails to give up its suspected weapons of mass destruction.
The message to U.S. citizens advises them to have a supply of prescription medicines on hand, keep their passports up to date and maintain adequate stocks of food in the event of political unrest, natural disasters or "terror" attacks.
"The Department is asking all U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide to send a warden message to local American communities with advice on preparedness for an emergency," said State Department spokeswoman Susan Pittman, reading from prepared "talking points."
U.S. embassies typically send such "warden messages" to update Americans living abroad on security threats and to offer advice on precautions they might take to protect themselves.
"The warden message summarizes general steps American citizens traveling or living abroad should follow to ensure they are prepared for an emergency, whether it is a personal emergency or is the result of political or economic unrest, natural disaster, or terrorist attack," Pittman added.
A senior State Department official, who first disclosed the warnings, made no comment when asked if it was related to the possibility of a war with Iraq, which the United States accuses of having chemical, biological and nuclear weapons programs.
"We're asking our embassies to remind Americans ... to take normal preparations, routine preparations, to leave if for some reason, whatever it might be, they might have to," said the senior official, who spoke on condition that he not be named.
Asked if he was saying the warning was totally routine, he replied: "I didn't say it was totally routine. I said we are doing this and that we have done it before. We thought it was appropriate to remind people to take appropriate precautions."
Reuters ^ | 1/24/03 | Reuters
US Tells Citizens Abroad: Be Ready to Move Fri January 24, 2003 04:08 PM ET WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The State Department is sending a cable to embassies around the world telling Americans abroad to be ready to leave their resident country quickly in an emergency, State Department officials said on Friday. A senior official made no comment when asked if the cable was related to the possibility of a U.S.-led military campaign against Iraq, which Washington has threatened with war if it fails to give up its suspected weapons of mass destruction.
The message to U.S. citizens advises them to have a supply of prescription medicines on hand, keep their passports up to date and maintain adequate stocks of food in the event of political unrest, natural disasters or "terror" attacks.
"The Department is asking all U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide to send a warden message to local American communities with advice on preparedness for an emergency," said State Department spokeswoman Susan Pittman, reading from prepared "talking points."
U.S. embassies typically send such "warden messages" to update Americans living abroad on security threats and to offer advice on precautions they might take to protect themselves.
"The warden message summarizes general steps American citizens traveling or living abroad should follow to ensure they are prepared for an emergency, whether it is a personal emergency or is the result of political or economic unrest, natural disaster, or terrorist attack," Pittman added.
A senior State Department official, who first disclosed the warnings, made no comment when asked if it was related to the possibility of a war with Iraq, which the United States accuses of having chemical, biological and nuclear weapons programs.
"We're asking our embassies to remind Americans ... to take normal preparations, routine preparations, to leave if for some reason, whatever it might be, they might have to," said the senior official, who spoke on condition that he not be named.
Asked if he was saying the warning was totally routine, he replied: "I didn't say it was totally routine. I said we are doing this and that we have done it before. We thought it was appropriate to remind people to take appropriate precautions."
