State Department: Albania - Travel Warning, December 24, 1998

Albania - Travel Warning
December 24, 1998

The Department of State warns against all travel to Albania because the overall security situation remains unstable. U.S. citizens are urged to consider their personal security situations, and if appropriate, to leave Albania.

Given the possibility that the U.S. Embassy's personnel and facilities could be the targets of a terrorist attack, on August 14, 1998, the Department of State ordered the departure of Embassy personnel in non-emergency positions and families of Embassy personnel, and later further reduced its staff. As a result of the continued reduction in staff, the Embassy has suspended normal operations and is able to offer only emergency services to American citizens.

Following incidents of violence in Tirana in September 1998, in the wake of the assassination of a political leader, the situation in Albania remains volatile and the possibility exists that there may be further incidents of violence. American citizens resident in Albania are strongly advised to avoid crowds and demonstrations at all costs and exercise extreme caution at all times. The northeastern area of Albania, including the towns of Tropoja and Bajram Curri and the area near the Kosovo border, remains outside effective government control. Travel to this area is exceedingly dangerous. Even persons traveling to this area solely to render humanitarian assistance to refugees have been attacked by bandits.

Americans in Albania are urged to register with the U.S. Embassy located at Rruga E Elbasanit 103, Tirana; tel.: (355)(42) 32875; fax: (355)(42) 32222. For further information on travel to Albania, please consult the Department of State's latest Consular Information Sheet on Albania.

This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning issued September 22, 1998, to update the security situation.