16 December 1998
TEXT: STATE DEPT. ISSUES TRAVEL WARNING FOR ISRAEL, WEST BANK
(And also orders dependents of US diplomats to leave) (420) Washington -- The State Department has warned US citizens to "consider whether they should travel" to Israel and the territories it occupies in light of the US military attacks on Iraq. It has also ordered dependents of US foreign service personnel to leave the region. Following is the State Department text: (begin text) U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT Israel and the Occupied Territories - Travel Warning December 16, 1998 The Department of State warns United States citizens to consider whether they should travel to Israel and the Occupied Territories in light of U.S. military action undertaken against Iraq and the potential for retaliatory action. During previous times of tension with Iraq, there has been concern about chemical and biological warfare (CBW) against states in the region, including Israel and the Occupied Territories. Based on best available information, the Department of State believes the risk of the use of chemical/biological weapons by Iraq is remote, that delivery would be difficult, and that Saddam Hussein's capabilities are limited. However, we are concerned that some members of our community in Israel and the Occupied Territories cannot be fully protected against the potential use of such weapons. Therefore, the Department of State has ordered the departure of certain official personnel and family members (under the age of 18, pregnant women and adults over the age of 65) at Embassy Tel Aviv and Consulate General Jerusalem. American citizens currently in Israel and the Occupied Territories should take this information into account in considering whether they should also depart the country. The airports are open and commercial flights are available at this time. American citizens who wish further information on CBW and its effects should contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This information is available on the CDC Internet web site at http://www.cdc.gov. The CDC travelers hotline telephone number is 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747), fax 1-888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299). For further information on travel to Israel and the Occupied Territories, please consult the Department of State's latest Consular Information Sheet for Israel and the Occupied Territories. This replaces the Travel Warning dated November 11, 1998 to include information on the ordered departure of Embassy and Consulate General personnel and to advise US citizens in Israel and the Occupied Territories to consider whether they should depart the country. (end text)
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