State Department: Serbia-Montenegro - Travel Warning, February 19, 1999

Serbia-Montenegro - Travel Warning
February 19, 1999

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens against travel to Serbia- Montenegro and strongly urges U.S. citizens in Serbia-Montenegro to depart the country due to the possibility of military intervention by members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Given recent history in the region, the possibility exists that U.S. citizens could be singled out in sporadic acts of violence, even though the government of Serbia-Montenegro has offered assurances that no retaliatory actions would be taken against U.S. citizens.

On February 19, the Department of State authorized the departure of U.S. Embassy personnel in non-emergency positions and the family members of U.S. Embassy personnel. Further reductions in staff will be considered as the situation warrants.

Both the police and Kosovo Liberation Army (UCK) are active in the Kosovo region, and each operates numerous checkpoints throughout the area. Due to the potential for violence, the authority of the individuals operating these checkpoints should not be challenged.

American citizens remaining in Serbia-Montenegro should contact the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade for up-to-date information on security conditions, carefully evaluate their personal security situation and depart the country, if they deem it appropriate.

This supersedes the Travel Warning for Serbia-Montenegro dated November 25, 1998 to note the State Department9s authorized departure of U.S. Embassy Belgrade personnel based on potential military intervention by NATO.