US WARNS CITIZENS AGAINST TRAVELING TO GARABAGH
Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
April 4 2006
The US State Department has prohibited Americans from visiting the
Armenian-occupied Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh and sent a special warning
to US citizens of Armenian descent. US citizens must refrain from
visiting Upper Garabagh and the occupied territories surrounding it,
as their security there cannot be guaranteed, says a special statement
of the State Departments consular bureau. The statement indicated
further that although a ceasefire agreement was reached in 1994, small
pockets of hostilities are still in evidence on the frontline. Since
military action is still underway, there is no consular service for
Upper Garabagh which US citizens could use, it said. Touching on the
crime situation in Azerbaijan, the State Department said that while
the rate of grave crimes is relatively low, the muggings and attacks
on foreigners have become regular.
Those traveling to Baku have to be prepared for assaults in any part
of the city. It is also recommended that visitors do not walk alone
after the fall of darkness and report all incidents to the police or
the US embassy.