State Department: Bosnia - Herzegovina - Travel Warning, March 23, 1999

Bosnia - Herzegovina - Travel Warning
March 23, 1999

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the potential for increased danger of travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina. In particular, the potential exists in the Republika Srpska (RS) entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina for retaliation against United States citizens and interests, as members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) are considering military action against neighboring Serbia and Montenegro. Given the recent history in the region, the possibility exists for spontaneous reactions against U.S. citizens and interests. Therefore, the Department of State strongly urges U.S. citizens to depart the RS. U.S. Government personnel have been withdrawn from the RS entity until further notice.

The war in Bosnia and Herzegovina was halted by the Dayton Peace Accords in November 1995. However, there are still risks from occasional localized political violence, landmines, unexploded ordnance, and carjacking. As many as one million landmines are still scattered throughout the country, and visitors are advised to remain on well- trafficked surfaces and roadways. There are also occasional flare-ups of violence, sometimes linked to protests over the return of displaced persons and arrests of war criminals. Visitors should avoid crowds and stay away from demonstrations.

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, tel.: (387)(71) 445-700, fax: (387)(71) 659-969. For further information on travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina, please consult the Department of State's latest Consular Information Sheet on Bosnia and Herzegovina.

This Travel Warning supersedes the March 9, 1999, Travel Warning on Bosnia and Herzegovina to note the withdrawal of USG personnel from the RS.