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ShnickyShnack · 2003-01-28 12:12 pm

With the approaching war with Iraq proving incredibly unpopular abroad, the US Government is quietly starting to warn US citizens abroad: be ready to get the hell out of wherever you are.

Here's an excerpt of e-mail someone I know in an Asian country received from the US embassy. It starts with reassurances not to be alarmed, then goes on to say:

-- Assemble all vital documents such as passports, birth and marriage records, vaccination, insurance and bank records in one readily
accessible location;
-- Check to be sure your passport and any necessary visas are valid and
that you have registered at the Embassy/Consulate with your current
address and phone number. If you need to obtain a new passport or to update your registration, please do so at the Embassy as soon as possible. Make or update as necessary a complete inventory of your household effects, in duplicate...
-- Maintain an adequate supply of food, water, and necessary
medications in your home. Make sure your car is in good working order.
Keep the gas tank full and check oil, coolant, tires, and battery.

We do not want American citizens to become unduly alarmed. These are
precautionary measures only. Given the potential for acts of violence,
terrorism, anti-American demonstrations, or natural disasters, all of
which could necessitate an evacuation from a region or local area, we
believe it is important for all citizens to maintain readiness for all
possibilities in case of an emergency. We will promptly inform you of
any significant developments and advise you accordingly.

So if you know anyone living abrad, make sure they know of the potential dangers.

isaly · 2003-01-28 12:17 pm

I guess that this means my several month long European cycling tour will have to be put on indefinite hold. . .

Or maybe I could wear a jersey with the inscription:

I am not responsible for the insanity of my government.

registered_user · 2003-01-28 12:21 pm

Though it's a wise precaution, that doesn't sound very official to me. Are you sure that this came from a US embassy? It seems a bit off.

isaly, I like your banner idea! But the best way to do it, IMO, is put a Canadian flag sticker or patch on you and your luggage. Canadians go out of their way to show their flag while in Europe, presumably to keep from being confused as Americans. (without the flag, there is darned little difference, I might add.) wink

isaly · 2003-01-28 12:32 pm

It's interesting and very sad when one stops to think that the chickenhawk agenda would actually benefit from US civilian deaths abroad. . . more justifiction for the continuing escalation of this madness. . .

ShnickyShnack · 2003-01-28 12:53 pm

Though it's a wise precaution, that doesn't sound very official to me. Are you sure that this came from a US embassy? It seems a bit off.

Nope, it's 100% genuine. I suppose it might have been written by some clerk at the embassy, hence it's "non-official" tone. But I'm sorry to say it's the real deal.

A friend of mine went to Crete over the Christmas holidays, and said that the whole mood of the island changed when the aircraft carrier USS Harry S Truman docked for a few days. A powerful, ugly wave of anti-Americanism appeared out of nowhere, and they had to keep saying they were Canadian for people even to talk to them.

This really is a concern.

By the way, Americans can never tell the differences between Americans and Canadians, but Canadians almost always can. Just one of those things. Anyway, the Canadians will be targeted too, if things get bad. It was mostly Australians who died in Bali, after all, and they're a pretty okay bunch.

Sternum · 2003-01-28 3:13 pm

I guess that this means my several month long European cycling tour will have to be put on indefinite hold. . .

On the upside, you may break the speed bicycling record while on the run from mobs of angry Europeans.

gnomonous · 2003-01-28 3:32 pm

Though it's a wise precaution, that doesn't sound very official to me. Are you sure that this came from a US embassy? It seems a bit off.

isaly, I like your banner idea! But the best way to do it, IMO, is put a Canadian flag sticker or patch on you and your luggage. Canadians go out of their way to show their flag while in Europe, presumably to keep from being confused as Americans. (without the flag, there is darned little difference, I might add.)

When I travel I'm going to claim that I'm from Mars, or New Zealand.

Blueboy626 · 2003-01-28 3:54 pm

Though it's a wise precaution, that doesn't sound very official to me. Are you sure that this came from a US embassy? It seems a bit off.

isaly, I like your banner idea! But the best way to do it, IMO, is put a Canadian flag sticker or patch on you and your luggage. Canadians go out of their way to show their flag while in Europe, presumably to keep from being confused as Americans. (without the flag, there is darned little difference, I might add.)
When I travel I'm going to claim that I'm from Mars, or New Zealand.

That's really sad. cry

Shaft · 2003-01-29 9:31 am

Swiss, man. Nobody ever fooks with the Swiss. roll

do they? :?:

Forums | MacLife

#1 2003-01-28 12:12 pm

State Dept. warns US citizens abroad

#2 2003-01-28 12:17 pm

Re: State Dept. warns US citizens abroad

#3 2003-01-28 12:21 pm

Re: State Dept. warns US citizens abroad

#4 2003-01-28 12:32 pm

Re: State Dept. warns US citizens abroad

#5 2003-01-28 12:53 pm

Re: State Dept. warns US citizens abroad

#6 2003-01-28 3:13 pm

Re: State Dept. warns US citizens abroad

#7 2003-01-28 3:32 pm

Re: State Dept. warns US citizens abroad

#8 2003-01-28 3:54 pm

Re: State Dept. warns US citizens abroad

#9 2003-01-29 9:31 am

Re: State Dept. warns US citizens abroad

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