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DE RUEHC #4685/01 1430253
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 220244Z MAY 08
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO ALL DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR POSTS COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUEHFSI/DIR FSINFATC
RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC
RUEHPH/CDC ATLANTA 6710
RUCPDOC/ALL USDOC DISTDIR COLLECTIVE WASHINGTON DC
RHMCSUU/CDRAMC FT BELVOIR VA//AMCMI-SS//
RUEAHQA/HQ USAF WASHINGTON DC//XOXXI//
RHMCSUU/HQ AFOSI DOQ ANDREWS AFB MD//IVOA//
RHMCSUU/FAA NATIONAL HQ WASHINGTON DC//ACI-400//
RHMCSUU/COMNAVAIRSYSCOM PATUXENT RIVER MD//AIR1031B//
RHMFIUU/NRC WASHINGTON DC//INFOSEC//
RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL//CCJ2-JIT//
RUCPCIM/CIM NTDB WASHINGTON DC
RHMCSUU/COGARD INTELCOORDCEN WASHINGTON DC
RHMFIUU/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI
RHMFISS/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL
RUEHTRO/AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI IMMEDIATE 0605
INFO RUESBKC/ATO ASIA IMMEDIATE 1666
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 054685
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CASC ASEC SF
SUBJECT: TRAVEL ALERT - SOUTH AFRICA
1. This Travel Alert advises American citizens of an
increase in violent attacks on foreigners, particularly
refugees or immigrants from other African nations.
American citizens in South Africa are urged to monitor
media reports and to avoid areas where attacks may be
likely to occur. This Travel Alert expires on July 1,
2008.
2. In recent weeks, South Africa has seen an increase in
the frequency, size, and duration of "xenophobic" attacks
directed at foreigners - particularly refugees or
immigrants from other African nations. The most recent
attacks started in the Johannesburg township of Alexandra
but spread to other low income neighborhoods and informal
settlements. Several recent incidents of mob violence have
taken place in other areas of Johannesburg including the
Central Business District (CBD), Hillbrow, and Soweto. An
undetermined number of persons have been killed in these
incidents and many more, including both targeted victims
and bystanders, have been injured. So far, most violent
incidents have taken place at night.
3. While there have been no reports of Americans or other
non-African visitors being targeted, these incidents of mob
violence have developed quickly and proven difficult for
local authorities to control. American residents and
visitors are advised to listen to local media for reports
of such incidents and to avoid areas (including but not
limited to townships) where they may be likely to occur.
American citizens are reminded that while the most recent
outbreak has been concentrated in the Johannesburg area,
there have been attacks on foreigners in other areas and
the potential exists for them to spread to other regions
with little or no warning.
4. All Americans in South Africa are urged to register
either online at https://travelregistration.state.gov or by
phone or in person directly with the U.S. Embassy in
Pretoria or the Consulates General in Johannesburg, Cape
Town, or Durban. Registering gives U.S. citizens access to
updated information on travel and security within South
Africa and makes it easier for the Embassy to contact them
in case of emergency.
5. The U.S. Embassy is located at 877 Pretorius Street,
Arcadia in Pretoria, telephone (27-12) 431-4000 (from South
Africa 012-431-4000), fax (27-12) 431-5504 (from South
Africa 012-431-5504). The U.S. Embassy web site is
http://usembassy.state.gov/pretoria/.
6. The U.S. Consulates General are at the following
locations:
The Consulate General in Johannesburg, which provides
consular services for Americans in both Johannesburg and
Pretoria, is located at No. 1 River Street (corner of River
and Riviera Roads), Killarney, Johannesburg telephone (27-
11) 644-8000 (from South Africa 011-644-8000), fax (27-
11)646-6916 (from South Africa (011-646-6916). Its
consular jurisdiction includes Gauteng, Mpumalanga,
Limpopo, North West, and Free State provinces.
The Consulate General in Cape Town is located at 2 Reddam
Avenue, Westlake, Cape Town, telephone (27-21) 702-7300
(from South Africa 021-702-7300), fax (27-21) 702-7493
(from South Africa 021-702-7493). Its consular
jurisdiction includes Western Cape, Eastern Cape, and
Northern Cape provinces.
The Consulate General in Durban is located at the Old
Mutual Building, 31st floor, 303 West Street, telephone
STATE 00054685 002 OF 002
(27-31) 305-7600 (from South Africa 031-305-7600), fax (27-
31) 305-7691 (from South Africa 031-305-7691). Its
consular jurisdiction is the province of KwaZulu-Natal.
7. As the Department continues to develop information on
any potential security threats to U.S. citizens overseas,
it shares credible threat information through its consular
information program documents, available on the Internet at
http://travel.state.gov. In addition to information on the
Internet, travelers may obtain up-to-date information on
security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in
the U.S. and Canada, or outside the U.S. and Canada on a
regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.
8. Minimize considered.
RICE