Travelers weigh options amid warnings
of possible retaliatory terror attacks
By Jennifer H. Svan, Stars
and Stripes
Many U.S. military families living in the Pacific region say they are canceling their
travel plans to the States or other countries because they feel safer in their overseas
homes.
The U.S. State Department issued a worldwide caution last week, warning U.S. citizens
of strong anti-American sentiment and possible retaliatory actions across the globe by
terrorists and their sympathizers.
The agency lists travel warnings for 29 countries, ranging from Pakistan to Italy.
The recent events were enough to keep Tina Knight from leaving Yokota Air Base, Japan.
Knight, a mother and military spouse, said her family isn’t planning a vacation
next year.
The Knights flew from Washington, D.C., to Los Angeles during their last vacation in
August. But the horror the passengers on the hijacked planes must have experienced is
enough to keep the family home for a while, she said.
"I have three little kids," Knight said. "I thought, ‘Oh my
God.’ I couldn’t imagine. I just would have been so [upset].
"We’ll just stay put where we are, that way no one will blow us out of the
sky," she said.
Army Staff Sgt. Sharon Pitts, 40, postponed her trip to the States until spring at her
mother’s urging.
"I’m not really worried about it, but I don’t want my mother to
worry," she said.
But not all people are so worried, a local travel agent said.
At Yokota’s Sekai Travel, agents have had only one person cancel a trip to the
States.
"We’ve been pretty busy, all things considered," said Karen Grant of
Sekai Travel, which opened for business on Sept. 10. "We have people expressing
concern, but they’re not hiding in a closet."
"We’re just telling people to be careful, use your common sense, and make
sure you have all your paperwork," she said.
Air Force 1st Lt. Steven Kozielecki, 25, stopped in at Sekai recently to inquire about
airfare. He’s thinking of touring Japan, shopping in Korea, or heading to Guam.
"Whatever happens is going to happen," he said. "I’m not the type
of person who runs."
The State Department is urging those who choose to travel to consult the Consular
Affairs Web site at www.travel.state.gov.
Some of the agency’s latest travel warnings are directly tied to the events of
Sept. 11.
In a travel warning posted Sept. 27 and updated last week, the State Department said
the terrorist attacks in the United States "have significantly added to concerns
about the security situation for American citizens resident in or traveling through
Indonesia."
Threats against Americans back those reports. In Bogor, near Jakarta, demonstrators
stopped and attacked a car they believed was driven by Americans or Westerners. There are
daily protests at U.S. diplomatic facilities.
The State Department this month also authorized departure of all nonemergency U.S.
government employees and family members in Indonesia.
Travel warnings are issued when the State Department recommends Americans avoid a
certain country. Some of the countries with travel warnings include Sudan, Tajikistan,
Pakistan, Kyrgyz Republic, Turkmenistan and Yemen.
Public announcements are less serious than travel warnings and are used to disseminate
information quickly about terrorist threats and other short-term situations that may pose
significant risks to Americans.
Since Sept. 11, public announcements have been issued for Guatemala, the Philippines,
Luxembourg, Italy, Niger, Bangladesh, Georgia, Uzbekistan, Rwanda and Nepal.
In the Oct. 2 announcement posted for Italy, the State Department said it has
"received information that ‘symbols of American capitalism’ in Italy may be
targeted for attack in the next month. U.S. citizens are urged to maintain a high level of
vigilance and to increase their security awareness."
The State Department site also provides information to help U.S. citizens plan for an
emergency abroad, such as a natural disaster or transportation accident. The department
has also activated a task force to assist Americans in the current crisis and provide
information. The task force operates 24 hours a day and may be reached toll free at
1-888-407-4747 or 1-317-472-2328 (overseas).
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rift taking their toll on S. Korean tourism
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