PUBLIC
ANNOUNCEMENT
U.S.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesman
This
information is current as of today, Thu Mar 23 2006 18:48:05
GMT+0200 (Normaaliaika).
Italy,
Holy See (Vatican City) and San Marino
March
21, 2006
This
Public Announcement is issued to alert Americans to ongoing
security concerns in Italy. Demonstrations are planned in various
parts of the country in anticipation of the upcoming Italian
Parliamentary elections April 9 and 10, and municipal elections in
May. This Public Announcement will expire on June 19, 2006.
Demonstrations
may be large, but even peaceful demonstrations have the potential
to escalate into violence. Some of the demonstrations may be
announced; others may be spontaneous. On March 11, demonstrations
by “No Global” and anarchist groups in Milan became
violent, resulting in broken windows and streets blockages;
fifteen police officers were injured and 40-45 individuals were
arrested. The Department of State advises U.S. citizens traveling
or residing in Italy to avoid areas where crowds are expected to
gather, take common sense precautions, and closely follow media
reports.
The
Department of State reminds Americans of the continuing threat of
terrorist attacks, demonstrations and other violent actions
against U.S. citizens and interests overseas. Ongoing events in
Iraq have resulted in demonstrations and associated violence in
several countries. Italy continues to be under heightened public
threat by al-Qaida and other Islamic extremists for its continued
participation in multinational activities in
Iraq
and Afghanistan . U.S. citizens are reminded to maintain
vigilance, take appropriate steps to increase their security
awareness, and exercise caution in public places or while using
public transportation. U.S. citizens are advised to immediately
report any unusual or suspicious activity in Italy to the police
or the U.S. Embassy in Rome .
The
U.S. Embassy Consular Section in Rome is located at Via
Boncompagni 2. Our website is: italy.usembassy.gov.
U.S.
Consulates are located at: Milan : Via Principe Amedeo,
2/10 Florence : Via Lungarno A. Vespucci, 38 Naples : Piazza
della Repubblica.
Consular
Agents are located in: Genoa : Via Dante 2 Palermo : Via
Vaccarini 1 Venice : Venice Marco Polo Airport , General
Aviation Terminal Viale Galileo Galilei For the latest
security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should
regularly monitor the Department’s Bureau of Consular
Affairs Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov,
where the current Worldwide Caution, Public Announcements, and
Travel Warnings can be found. Up-to-date information on security
can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the
U.S. , or, for callers outside the U.S. and Canada , a regular
toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00
a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S.
federal holidays).
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