عاجل وخطير: الخارجية الأمريكية تحذر رعاياها من السفر إلى تونس

نشر موقع وزارة الخارجية الأمريكية بتاريخ 5 أكتوبر تنبيها للمواطنين الأمريكيين إلي احتمال حدوث اضطرابات في تونس, موجها لهم تحذير بعدم السفر إلي تونس...
وللنذكير فإن الوزير الأول الباجي قائد السبسي يجري مباحثات مع مسؤولين أمريكيين في زيارة مطولة تمتد من 3 أكتوبر إلى غاية 7 من نفس الشهر.

(النص متوفر باللغة الانقليزية) على موقع وزارة الخارجية الأمريكية

TRAVEL ALERT – TUNISIA
October 5, 2011

The State Department alerts U.S. citizens to the potential for unrest in Tunisia. Spontaneous and unpredictable events, such as work stoppages and demonstrations still occur, a state of emergency remains in force, and curfews can be re-established on short notice. The U.S. Department of State continues to advise U.S. citizens currently in Tunisia to remain alert to local security developments and to be vigilant regarding their personal security. Travelers contemplating trips to the interior of the country should assess local conditions and routes when making travel plans, as conditions can quickly change. This Travel Alert supersedes the Travel Alert for Tunisia dated July 8, 2011, to update information on the security situation, upcoming general elections and travel within Tunisia, and expires on January 5, 2012.

General elections are scheduled to take place on October 23, 2011. Politically-motivated demonstrations are likely to occur in the period leading to and following the election. In the past nine months, demonstrations have degenerated on several occasions into violent clashes between police and protesters, resulting in deaths, injuries, and extensive property damage. While demonstrations have not been directed toward foreigners, U.S. citizens are urged to remain alert to local security developments and to be vigilant regarding their personal security. The U.S. Department of State strongly urges U.S. citizens to avoid all demonstrations, as even peaceful ones can quickly become unruly, and a foreigner could become a target of harassment or worse.

In a September 21 incident, Tunisian military aircraft exchanged fire with a convoy of unidentified armed vehicles crossing the desert south of Douz, in the Governorate of Kebili. The incident underscored the need for U.S. citizens to carefully consider all travel in the interior and to avoid travel in remote regions in the south of Tunisia. U.S. citizens should also be aware of continuing international humanitarian response operations underway in southern Tunisia, particularly at the Ras Jedir border crossing, where over 300,000 persons have crossed so far to escape the unrest in Libya. While the vast majority of evacuees have been repatriated, nearly 4,200 refugees are in camps near the border pending resettlement or repatriation.

Government security forces, including the police, army, and National Guard, are visibly present throughout Tunisia. Travelers should heed directions given by uniformed security officials, and should always carry a copy of their passport as proof of nationality and identity. Security personnel, including plainclothes officials, may at times place foreign visitors under surveillance. It is against Tunisian law to photograph government offices and other sensitive facilities. Suspicious incidents or problems should be reported immediately to Tunisian authorities and to the U.S. Embassy.

The Embassy is located in the Les Berges du Lac suburb of Tunis. The Embassy telephone number is 216 71 107 000 and the Embassy fax number is 216 71 963 263. The Consular section can also be contacted by email at ConsularTunis@state.gov.

U.S. citizens in Tunisia are encouraged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). U.S. citizens without internet access may enroll directly at the U.S. Embassy. By enrolling, U.S. citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency.

Updated information on travel and security in Tunisia may be obtained from the Department of State by calling             1-888-407-4747       toll-free in the United States and Canada or via regular toll line at             1-202-501-4444      . Stay up to date by bookmarking our Bureau of Consular Affairs website, found at travel.state.gov, which contains the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts as well as the Worldwide Caution. Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook. You can also download our free Smart Traveler iPhone App to have travel information at your fingertips.