Laos Public Announcement

Laos Public Announcement
October 21, 2004

This Public Announcement is being issued to advise U.S. citizens of
continuing security concerns in Laos, which may be heightened due to the
ASEAN Summit Conference that will take place November 25-30, 2004, in
Vientiane. This Public Announcement supercedes the July 9, 2004, public
announcement for Laos and expires on November 30, 2004.

The U.S. Embassy in Vientiane has received information that during the ASEAN
summit conference, persons associated with anti-Lao government groups may be
planning to detonate several explosive devices in Vientiane as well as in
the following provinces of Laos: Bolikhamxai, Khammouan, Savannakhet,
Salavan and Champassak. No further information is available at this time
regarding specific targets or methods. In addition, travel between locations
may be difficult. There may also be difficulties obtaining visas on arrival
at the Wattay Airport and at the Friendship Bridge border crossing from
Thailand during this time frame.

Since 2000, there have been periodic attacks on markets, two bus stations,
all forms of ground transportation, border checkpoints and other public
places. Between February 2003 and June 2004, bombings occurred in Vientiane,
Savannakhet and other cities and provinces throughout Laos (Xieng Khouang,
Sayabury, Houaphan, Saysomboun). Between February and April 2004 armed
attacks on buses and other vehicles on Route 13 (Vang Vieng to Luang
Prabang) and Route 7 (junction Route 13 to Phonsavan) killed at least 12
persons. In addition, several incidents of small-scale clashes between
suspected anti-government insurgents and Lao security forces occurred in the
Route 13 corridor area in late 2003 and early 2004.

In light of these incidents and threat information, the Department of State
recommends that U.S. citizens traveling or residing in Laos exercise extreme
caution in public places and be alert to their surroundings, since the
locations of future incidents is unpredictable. In particular, U.S. citizens
should continue to avoid traveling by road between Vang Vieng and Luang
Phrabang and on Route 7 from the Route 13 junction to Phonsavan town and in
surrounding areas.

After some attacks, the Lao government has been known to shut down
telecommunications and stop all transport on main roads for up to several
days. Travelers should comply with requests to stop at checkpoints and
roadblocks. U.S. citizens, especially those considering travel outside urban
centers, are advised to contact relevant Lao government offices, such as Lao
Immigration Police Headquarters in Vientiane, local police and customs
offices, or the U.S. Embassy for the most current security information. To
avoid trouble with the authorities, U.S. citizens traveling outside of
normal tourist areas or contemplating any unusual activity (including, but
not limited to, engaging in business, extensive photography, or scientific
research of any kind) should consider seeking advance permission from the
Village Chief, District Head, Provincial Governor, or National Tourism
Authority, as appropriate.

U.S. citizens are strongly encouraged to consult the Department of State's
Consular Information Sheet for Laos, and the Worldwide Caution Public
Announcement, located at [url]http://travel.state.gov[/url]. For further information,
U.S. citizens may also contact the Department of State toll-free at
1-888-407-4747, or, if calling from overseas, 317-472-2328. The U.S. Embassy
is located at Thanon Bartholonie (near Tat Dam), in Vientiane; from the
U.S., mail may be addressed to U.S. Embassy Vientiane, Box V, APO AP 96546;
Telephone (856-21) 212-581, 212-582, 212-585; duty officer emergency
cellular telephone (856-20) 5502-016; consular section fax number (856-21)
251-624; embassy-wide fax number (856-21) 212-584; internet:
[url]http://usembassy.state.gov/laos[/url], e-mail: [email]consularvienti@state.gov[/email].

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See [url]http://travel.state.gov/travel_warnings.html[/url] for
State Department Travel Warnings
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