Travel Information, Public Announcements, and Security Updates

Sanctions Against Syria

TEXT OF MESSAGE:

May 12, 2004

The United States has announced a series of sanctions against Syria. Details of the announcement are available on the Embassy Damascus website at http://damascus.usembassy.gov.

The Embassy wishes to confirm that the Consular Section remains open and consular personnel continue to provide service to American citizens and visa applicants.

The Embassy takes this opportunity to advise American citizens in Syria to review their personal security practices. Throughout the region, U.S. Government facilities remain at a heightened state of alert. These facilities may temporarily close or suspend public services from time to time to assess their security posture. In those instances, U.S. embassies and consulates will make every effort to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens. Americans abroad are urged to monitor the local news and maintain contact with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

As the Department of State continues to develop information on any potential security threats to U.S. citizens 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, travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. or outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-317-472-2328.

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