The United States has issued a travel alert for Americans in Europe, warning about the possibility of an Al Qaeda attack. Possible targets include the Eiffel Tower, a hotel near Berlinís Brandenburg Gate and others in capital cities such as London, Paris and Berlin. Fairfield University has study abroad programs in each of these areas.
Fairfield has sent the students currently abroad in European nations the following email: ìThere has been a travel alert issued by the Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs. We would like to inform you of the latest travel alert, and take extra precaution when traveling to and within Europe. The warning is in effect till the end of January 2011.î A link is then provided to the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs.
The statement by the Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the ìpotential for terrorists to attack public transportation systems and other tourist infrastructure,î but does not get more specific than that.
Christopher Johnson, Director of International Programs at Fairfield said, ìThe safety and well-being of our students is paramount for us and the guidance of the U.S. State Department is an important part of our protocols. Because the alert is general in nature we are not giving guidance to avoid particular locations at this time.
President Obama reportedly met with his national security team members on Friday and Saturday before issuing the alert, apparently following the mantra that a vague alert is better than no alert. Nicholas Shapiero, White House spokesman, said that it was the State Department that decided to issue the alert, but only after President Obama insisted that they ìdo everything possible to disrupt this plot and protect the American people.î
Fairfield has taken more precaution regarding this alert than other schools with students abroad. Carolyn Spallutoí11 is currently studying abroad Rome, through the Trinity College program. She was emailed the same warning as the Fairfield students from Trinity and they added, ìto stay away from areas in Rome that are attractions for American tourists,î yet she has not heard from her home school, Amherst College.
She said that any other warnings that she has heard have been through word of mouth, for example ìthe boyfriend of one of my friends on this program is flying out to Italy this weekend, and apparently he got a call or email from the U.S. Embassy in Rome not to speak English in high-tourist areas or wear clothes with English writing.î
The United States is not the only country issuing the alert, as the British government also increased the threat of terrorism to ìhighî from their usual ìgeneral,î for their citizens abroad in France and Germany. Security for the Royal Family has also been heightened. Japan and Sweden issued warnings for their citizens traveling in Europe as well, and as early as Monday, travelers noticed the heightened security.
Sniffer dogs reportedly patrolled subways in Britain, paramilitary troops were seen patrolling the Eiffel Tower and mounted police were guarding famous churches in Paris.
FoxNews.com reports that Undersecretary of Management Patrick Kennedy says that ìWe are not, repeat not, advising Americans not to go to Europe.î It also reports that State Department spokeswoman Nicole Thomas said that the department is, ìarming Americans with information,î should they choose to travel abroad, leaving some Americans even more puzzled.
NYTimes.com reports that the information of alleged attacks first came from a German citizen of Afghan origin, Ahmed Sidiqi who was captured in July. Sidiqi told investigators he met with a high-level Al Qaeda operative in Pakistan, who told him Osama bin Laden wanted to attack Europe.
Officials also said that British residents of Pakistani background that were detained in Islamabad and Lahore in Pakistan had the same information.
NYTimes.com also reported that an official who did not wish to be identified said a stronger warning that would discourage Americans from traveling in Europe is not being considered at this time.
The alert extends into January 31st, 2011; just days after the Spring Semester Abroad students take off for their destinations. Kaitlyn Deviliní12 is heading to Germany for the spring semester, ìI hope this hype settles down,î she said. ìAnd as for my parents, weíll see if theyíll take more dramatic precautions as the time nears for me to leave,î she added.
ìIn our pre-departure orientation we stress the need to students to be vigilant about their surroundings, to monitor the US embassy and consulate websites for their countries, and to avoid crowds and large gatherings. For now we continue to monitor the information and will take action as the circumstances dictate,î said Johnson.
The Political Science Department and the International Studies Department did not have department statements to make on this matter, nor were individual comments made before deadline.
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