US may issue travel alert for Americans in Europe
By IANSSunday, October 3, 2010
WASHINGTON - The US is considering whether to warn its citizens to be vigilant while travelling in Europe following the recent threat of Mumbai-style attacks by Al Qaeda and other terror groups in London and other European cities.
According to The Washington Post, an official said the “travel alert” could be issued by the State Department as early as Sunday and it would be a step below a formal “travel warning”, a designation telling US citizens to avoid travel to particular locations.
A warning designation would be devastating for tourism and study-abroad programmes because of liability issues, the official said.
“Americans should still continue to travel to Europe, but they just should be cautious,” the official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity.
The possible travel guidance will not single out any country.
State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said: “We continue to be focused on Al Qaeda’s interest in attacking the United States and our allies and our interests.”
“We do everything necessary to thwart those plans and will take future actions as appropriate,” he was quoted as saying.
