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Afghanistan - Consular Information Sheet
December 15, 2000
TRAVEL WARNING (issued 12/12/00): The Department of State
warns U.S. citizens against travel to Afghanistan. We continue
to receive threats from terrorists, including Usama bin Laden,
who is based in Afghanistan, that do not distinguish between American
government and civilian targets. U.S. citizens who are in Afghanistan
or considering traveling there should be aware that the U.S. Government
reserves the right to retaliate against the facilities of those
who harbor terrorists, as well as the terrorists themselves. The
Department of State urges Americans who decide to remain in Afghanistan
in spite of this warning to exercise extreme caution, monitor
their security situation closely and make plans for responding
to a sudden deterioration in security conditions.
All U.S. personnel at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul were evacuated
in 1989, and no other diplomatic mission represents U.S. interests
or provides consular services.
President Clinton signed an Executive Order imposing financial
and commercial sanctions against the Taliban in Afghanistan, a
faction that currently exercises de facto control over much of
the country, for their support of Usama bin Ladin and his terrorist
network. On December 7, 2000, the United States and Russia introduced
a new sanctions resolution against the Taliban for their refusal
to comply with earlier (1999) United Nations Security Council
Resolution 1267, demanding that Taliban authorities turn indicted
terrorist Usama bin Laden over to a country where he can be brought
to justice. The Taliban have criticized this action and have threatened
to close UN non-humanitarian offices. The increased tensions created
by the Taliban reactions to proposed new sanctions increases the
risk of violence against U.S. citizens in Afghanistan.
In addition, frequent military operations continue in various
regions of Afghanistan, sometimes involving intense fighting.
Americans remain vulnerable to politically and criminally motivated
attacks and violence, including robbery, detention and physical
and/or mental harassment. The estimated 5-7 million landmines
scattered throughout the countryside pose a danger to all residents
and visitors to Afghanistan.
U.S. citizens who decide to enter Afghanistan in spite of this
warning are strongly urged to register and obtain updated security
information at the American Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan, or
the U.S. Consulate in Peshawar, Pakistan, at the following addresses:
U.S. Embassy, Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5, Islamabad, Telephone
(92-51) 2080-0000, Consular Section (92-51) 2080-2700, Fax (92-51)
822-632
U.S. Consulate Peshawar, 11 Hospital Road, Telephone (92-91)
279-801, Fax (92-91) 276-712
This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated September
14, 1999 to delete Y2K information and to update the Travel Warning
regarding potential danger to Americans who travel to Afghanistan,
including the likelihood of increased violence in reaction to
newly introduced UN sanctions regarding the Taliban. The Department
is unable to provide information on any other topics, such as
country description, entry requirements, medical facilities, medical
insurance, crime, traffic safety and road conditions, and aviation
safety oversight, because there is no U.S. diplomatic or consular
presence in Afghanistan
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