| ALGERIA |
| GENESIS-SCI TRAVEL WARNINGS & ALAERTS |
April 9, 2003
This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning dated February 3, 2003, and is being issued to alert
Americans to ongoing security concerns in Algeria and to warn Americans to avoid travel to the Sahara
desert areas of Southeasten Algeria where more than 25 European tourists have disappeared since
February.
The Department of State urges U.S. citizens to evaluate carefully their security and safety before traveling
to Algeria. Random terrorist attacks still occur in rural and remote areas, on public transportation outside
the major cities, and in some parts of the country at night. In the past year, the greater Algiers area has
seen sporadic terrorist attacks, including drive-by shootings of police and small explosive devices placed in
or near markets and bus stops.
Since late February, more than 25 tourists from Western Europe have been confirmed missing in the
Sahara desert areas of southeastern Algeria, between the cities of Ouargla and Tamanrasset. The reason
for the disappearances is unknown; Algerian authorities are investigating. We caution U.S. citizens to avoid
traveling in this area.
The Department of State cautions Americans who reside or travel in Algeria despite this warning to take
prudent security measures while in the country, including arranging for pre-determined local contacts to
meet and accompany them upon arrival and departure at Algerian airports. Nighttime and overland travel
outside the greater Algiers area should be avoided if possible. Visitors to Algeria are advised to stay only
in the large, internationally recognized hotels where security is provided. Americans should arrange for a
known Algerian companion to accompany them when moving anywhere in Algeria, whether in the capital
city of Algiers or in other cities and rural areas.
U.S. Embassy personnel take all of the precautions mentioned above. Embassy employees and official
visitors live on or adjacent to the Embassy compound, or reside in Embassy-approved hotels. They travel
off compound by armored car only, with appropriate security, whether for official business or personal
reasons. Employees are permitted to travel outside the capital only for official business and with
appropriate security. U.S. oil companies operating in the desert region south of the Saharan Atlas
Mountains, as well as Algerian government officials, also take similar security precautions to ensure their
safety. Family members of American Embassy employees are not permanently assigned to Algiers at this
time, but adult family members are permitted to visit post on a short-term basis.
Americans who remain in Algeria are urged to register and to obtain updated information on travel and
security in Algeria at the Consular Section at the U.S. Embassy in Algeria. The Embassy is located at 4
Chemin Cheikh Bachir El-Ibrahimi, B.P. 408 (Alger-Gare) 16000, in the capital city of Algiers. The
embassy can be reached at telephone [213] (21) 691-425/255/186; fax [213] (21) 69-39-79; or through
the web site at us-embassy.eldjazair.net.dz.
This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning dated February 3, 2003, and is being issued to alert
Americans to ongoing security concerns in Algeria and to warn Americans to avoid travel to the Sahara
desert areas of Southeasten Algeria where more than 25 European tourists have disappeared since
February.
The Department of State urges U.S. citizens to evaluate carefully their security and safety before traveling
to Algeria. Random terrorist attacks still occur in rural and remote areas, on public transportation outside
the major cities, and in some parts of the country at night. In the past year, the greater Algiers area has
seen sporadic terrorist attacks, including drive-by shootings of police and small explosive devices placed in
or near markets and bus stops.
Since late February, more than 25 tourists from Western Europe have been confirmed missing in the
Sahara desert areas of southeastern Algeria, between the cities of Ouargla and Tamanrasset. The reason
for the disappearances is unknown; Algerian authorities are investigating. We caution U.S. citizens to avoid
traveling in this area.
The Department of State cautions Americans who reside or travel in Algeria despite this warning to take
prudent security measures while in the country, including arranging for pre-determined local contacts to
meet and accompany them upon arrival and departure at Algerian airports. Nighttime and overland travel
outside the greater Algiers area should be avoided if possible. Visitors to Algeria are advised to stay only
in the large, internationally recognized hotels where security is provided. Americans should arrange for a
known Algerian companion to accompany them when moving anywhere in Algeria, whether in the capital
city of Algiers or in other cities and rural areas.
U.S. Embassy personnel take all of the precautions mentioned above. Embassy employees and official
visitors live on or adjacent to the Embassy compound, or reside in Embassy-approved hotels. They travel
off compound by armored car only, with appropriate security, whether for official business or personal
reasons. Employees are permitted to travel outside the capital only for official business and with
appropriate security. U.S. oil companies operating in the desert region south of the Saharan Atlas
Mountains, as well as Algerian government officials, also take similar security precautions to ensure their
safety. Family members of American Embassy employees are not permanently assigned to Algiers at this
time, but adult family members are permitted to visit post on a short-term basis.
Americans who remain in Algeria are urged to register and to obtain updated information on travel and
security in Algeria at the Consular Section at the U.S. Embassy in Algeria. The Embassy is located at 4
Chemin Cheikh Bachir El-Ibrahimi, B.P. 408 (Alger-Gare) 16000, in the capital city of Algiers. The
embassy can be reached at telephone [213] (21) 691-425/255/186; fax [213] (21) 69-39-79; or through
the web site at us-embassy.eldjazair.net.dz.
