State Department: Bosnia - Herzegovina - Travel Warning, March 9, 1999

Bosnia - Herzegovina - Travel Warning
March 9, 1999

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the potential for increased danger of travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina. As a result of the Brcko arbitration and political instability in the Republika Srpska entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina (RS), a continuing potential exists for threats to the safety of U.S. citizens and interests in the RS, Brcko, and areas of the Federation near Brcko.

In response to a credible threat, on March 7 the U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo advised Americans to defer travel to the RS. Americans already in the RS should carefully consider leaving now. Americans who choose to remain should avoid crowds and demonstrations, keep a low profile, stay alert for changes in the security situation, and be prepared to leave on very short notice. The security situation has resulted in the restriction of travel by U.S. Government personnel within the RS; more extensive restrictions, or the withdrawal of U.S. Government personnel from the RS, could result from a further deterioration in security.

U.S. citizens in Bosnia and Herzegovina are urged to contact the consular section of the U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo to register, and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Bosnia and Herzegovina. The consular section is located at Ali Pasina 43, telephone number (387)(71) 445-700, fax number (387)(71) 659-969. For further information on travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina, please consult the Department of State9s latest consular information sheet on Bosnia and Herzegovina.

This Travel Warning supersedes the March 5, 1999, Travel Warning on Bosnia and Herzegovina to note the political instability in the RS following the Brcko arbitration and the restriction of travel to the RS by USG personnel.