State Department: Serbia-Montenegro - Travel Warning, October 11, 1998

Serbia-Montenegro - Travel Warning
October 11, 1998

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens against travel to Serbia-Montenegro and strongly urges U.S. citizens in Serbia-Montenegro to depart the country. Due to the failure of Belgrade authorities to comply with United Nations Security Council demands and the ongoing violence perpetrated by security forces against ethnic Albanians in Kosovo, members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) have taken steps that could lead to military intervention. While the Government of Serbia-Montenegro has given assurances no retaliatory actions would be taken against U.S. citizens, given recent history in the region, the possibility exists for spontaneous reactions against U.S. citizens.

On October 11, the Department ordered an additional reduction in staff as the NATO alliance moved toward an activation order (ACTORD). All Embassy Belgrade personnel in non-emergency positions and all dependents of Embassy personnel have been ordered to leave the country. Further reductions in staff will be considered as the situation warrants.

Both the police and Kosovo Liberation Army (UCK) are active in the region and each operates numerous checkpoints throughout Kosovo. There have been incidents at both kinds of checkpoints in which guards have fired at vehicles whose occupants did not obey their commands. Due to the potential for violence, the authority of the individuals operating these checkpoints should not be challenged.

No. 98-052

This supersedes the Travel Warning for Serbia-Montenegro dated October 9, 1998 to note the State Department's ordered departure of Embassy Belgrade personnel based on potential military intervention by NATO.