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CONSULAR ANNOUNCEMENT

WARDEN MESSAGES

ONE

Please review the following warden message prepared by the U.S. Embassy in Managua for your information:

Armed conflict with Iraq began on March 19, 2003

The Department of State advises American citizens in Managua to take prudent steps to ensure their personal safety in the coming days. Remain vigilantly aware of surroundings, avoid crowds and demonstrations, keep a low profile, vary times and routes for all travel, and ensure travel documents are current. Listen to news reports and maintain contact with your assigned warden or the U.S. Embassy at 268-0123 or 266-6010. The Embassy will also post updated information on our web-site at http://usembassy.state.gov/managua.

U.S. citizens and interests worldwide are at risk of terrorist attacks, including by groups with links to Al-Qaida. U.S. Government facilities are on a heightened state of alert. The Embassy in Managua may close or suspend public services from time to time for security reasons. In that event, we will make every effort to continue to provide emergency services to local American citizens and will provide contact information by a warden message and on our web site. Monitor the local news as well as the Department of State web-site, http://travel.state.gov, for information concerning the safety and security of American citizens overseas. The Department of Homeland Security web-sites, www.dhs.gov and www.ready.gov may also provide useful information.

American citizens with questions or concerns may telephone the Embassy at 268-0123. In case of an emergency outside business hours or during any suspension of public services, American citizens may reach the Embassy duty officer by calling 266-6038. American citizens may also contact the Department of State at (317) 472-2328, or, from within the U.S., toll-free at 1-888-407-4747.

American citizens in Nicaragua who have not registered with the Embassy are urged to do so as soon as possible. You may register in person by coming to the American Citizen Services Unit, Consular Section at Managua, or register on-line through the Embassy web-site at http://usembassy.state.gov/managua. American citizens already registered with the Embassy are urged to update their registration information.

U.S. citizens should consult the Department of State’s consular information documents, including the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement located at the Department’s internet web-site at well as the Department of State web-site, http://travel.state.gov.

TWO

This Public Announcement is being updated to alert Americans to an increased potential for anti-American violence, including terrorist actions against U.S. citizens, as a result of the military action in Iraq. The U.S. Government remains deeply concerned about the security of Americans overseas. American citizens are reminded that it is more important than ever to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness. This Worldwide Caution supersedes that issued on February 6, 2003 and expires on July 20, 2003.

As a result of military action in Iraq, there is a potential for retaliatory actions to be taken against U.S. citizens and interests throughout the world. Public demonstrations carry the potential for precipitating violence directed at American citizens, symbols associated with the United States or other U.S. and western interests.

The threat to U.S. citizens includes the risk of attacks by terrorist groups. Terrorist actions may include, but are not limited to, suicide operations, bombings or kidnappings. Possible threats include conventional weapons such as explosive devices or non-conventional weapons, including chemical or biological agents. Terrorists do not distinguish between official and civilian targets. These may include facilities where Americans and other foreigners congregate or visit, such as residential areas, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools, hotels, outdoor recreation events or resorts and beaches. U.S. citizens should increase their security awareness at such locations, avoid them, or switch to other locations where Americans in large numbers generally do not congregate.

U.S. Government facilities worldwide remain at a heightened state of alert and some have drawn down their dependents and/or personnel. These facilities may temporarily close or suspend public services from time to time for security reasons. In those instances, U.S. embassies and consulates will make every effort to provide emergency services to American citizens. Monitor the local news and maintain contact with the nearest American embassy or consulate.

As the Department continues to develop information on any potential security threats to Americans overseas, it shares credible threat information through its Consular Information Program documents, available on the Internet at http://travel.state.gov. In addition to information on the Internet, U.S. travelers can get up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 in the U.S. and outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at l 317-472-2328.

For updated information on the security situation in Nicaragua, please contact the American Citizens Services Unit of the U.S. Embassy. The Embassy is located at Kilometer 41/2 (4.5) Carretera Sur, Managua; telephone (505) 266-6010 or 268-0123; after hours telephone (505) 266-6038; Consular Section fax (505) 266-9943; e-mail: consularmanagu@state.gov web page at http://usembassy.state.gov/managua

THREE

This Public Announcement is being updated to alert Americans to an increased potential for anti-American violence, including terrorist actions against U.S. citizens, as a result of the military action in Iraq. This supersedes the Public Announcement of November 20, 2002 and expires on July 20, 2003.

The Department of State reminds Americans traveling to or residing in the Middle East and North Africa (including the Arabian Peninsula and the Persian Gulf region) to exercise caution. Tensions generated by the current crisis in Iraq have increased the potential threat to U.S. citizens and interests abroad posed by those harboring anti-American sentiments. Public demonstrations throughout the Middle Eastern region now carry a greater potential for precipitating violence directed at American citizens, symbols, or interests.

The threat to U.S. citizens in the Middle East includes the risk of attacks by terrorist groups, including to those with links to Al-Qaida. Terrorist actions may include suicide operations, bombings or kidnappings. While conventional weapons such as explosive devices are a more immediate threat in many areas, use of non-conventional weapons, including chemical or biological agents must be considered a possible threat. Terrorists do not distinguish between official and civilian targets. Increased security at official U.S. facilities has led terrorists and their sympathizers to seek softer targets such as residential areas, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, hotels, schools, outdoor recreation events, resorts and beaches.

U.S. Government facilities worldwide remain at a heightened state of alert. Facilities may temporarily close or suspend public services for security reasons. On occasion, the travel of official personnel at embassies and consulates around the world is restricted because of security concerns, and these posts may recommend that private American citizens avoid the same areas if at all possible. Services to American citizens may be affected if employees' movements are restricted. If this happens, U.S. embassies and consulates will make every effort to provide emergency services to American citizens. In case office hours are reduced, American citizens in need of emergency assistance should telephone the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate before visiting in person.

In countries where the security of U.S. citizens is considered at particularly high risk, the Department of State may authorize non-emergency Embassy personnel and/or their dependents to voluntarily depart the country or may, if security conditions warrant, order the departure of some or all Embassy personnel. The Department of State will inform the U.S. public when decisions of this nature are made.

In addition, U.S. citizens planning to travel to the Middle East or North Africa should consult the Department of State's Public Announcements, Travel Warnings, Consular Information Sheets, Fact Sheets, and regional travel brochures on the Consular Affairs Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov. Up-to-date information on security conditions can also be obtained by calling 1-888- 407-4747 in the U.S. and for callers outside the U.S. and Canada a regular toll line at 1-317-472-2328.

For updated information on the security situation in Nicaragua, please contact the American Citizens Services Unit of the U.S. Embassy. The Embassy is located at Kilometer 41/2 (4.5) Carretera Sur, Managua; telephone (505) 266-6010 or 268-0123; after hours telephone (505) 266-6038; Consular Section fax (505) 266-9943; e-mail: consularmanagu@state.gov web page at http://usembassy.state.gov/managua

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