Travel updates for September 23, 2004 as issued by the Consular Affairs Section of Foreign Affairs Canada. Current Issues: An entry concerning a Reminder of Warning Against Travel to Iraq (security) was added. Canadians are reminded that they should not travel to Iraq under any circumstances and that all Canadians in Iraq, including humanitarian aid workers, should leave. There is no Canadian Embassy in Iraq at this time, and the Government of Canada has an extremely limited capacity to provide assistance to Canadian citizens in distress in Iraq. Those who choose to remain despite this warning should maintain a high level of vigilance, avoid crowds and demonstrations, monitor local developments and news broadcasts, and review their security arrangements carefully. The security situation in Iraq is dangerous and unpredictable. The threat to foreigners, including Canadians, is high and has increased since the transfer of power from the Coalition Provisional Authority to the new Government of Iraq in June 2004. There is a growing insurgent trend toward kidnapping foreign nationals, with at least four Canadians among recent hostages. Attacks resulting in numerous fatalities are frequent in Baghdad and elsewhere. The list of targets includes a growing range of institutions and individuals, including both coalition and Iraqi military forces, Iraqi government ministries, and personnel of the United Nations, the International Committee of the Red Cross, foreign embassies, and non-governmental organizations, as well as both Iraqi and foreign police and civilians. There is also a danger of attacks on religious buildings, restaurants, and other public places. There are reports of individuals being targeted because they are Christian, and some churches have been bombed. In addition, there is a high frequency of smaller-scale attacks, undertaken in particular with convoy ambushes, small-arms fire, rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). There have been RPG attacks on a number of Baghdad hotels where foreigners may be staying. A sharp increase in the number and sophistication of attacks involving IEDs, most targeting U.S. military convoys, civilian convoys, and Iraqi police stations, has occurred throughout Iraq. IEDs are camouflaged bombs that are placed on main roads and detonated by remote control, often followed by an ambush on disabled vehicles and their passengers. A Canadian citizen was recently killed in such an attack. The possibility of further attacks puts Canadians at risk, both in Baghdad and elsewhere in Iraq. An entry concerning Hurricane Ivan (natural disaster) was amended. Canadians should not travel to Grenada until further notice. Canadians in Grenada should leave. The airport has re-opened and commercial flights are available for those wishing to leave. Hurricane Ivan has caused severe damage in Grenada. Communications across the island are non-existant or sporadic. Power is out, and there has been extensive damage to infrastructure, including the tourist industry. The security situation is improving but remains volatile. Canadians should not travel to the Cayman Islands until further notice. Canadians in the Cayman Islands should leave if they can do so safely. A curfew is in effect from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Until further notice, the Government of the Cayman Islands will only authorize Cayman nationals or those with residence permits to enter the Cayman Islands. The only other people authorized to enter the Cayman Islands will be relief/aid workers. Jamaica is sorting out the effects of Hurricane Ivan. The country suffered substantial damage, particularly in the parishes of Claredon, Manchestor, St. Elizabeth, Hanover and St. James. Many areas remain unreachable due to impassable roads. Electricity, water and telecommunications services have been severely affected, but significant efforts are being devoted to restoring services. The two international airports, in Kingston and Montego Bay, are open. Tourists intent on travelling to Jamaica should check with their tour operator regarding conditions at the resorts. Areas within the states of Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Georgia and North Carolina have been declared major disaster areas. Canadians in the affected areas should monitor local news and weather reports, and follow the advice of local authorities. We encourage Canadians who have disrupted their travel plans due to Hurricane Ivan to maintain contact with relatives in Canada who may have concerns for their safety. They should also check with the airline, their travel agent or tour operator, and plan accordingly. An entry concerning Dominican Republic (natural disaster) was amended. Hurricane Jeanne hit the Dominican Republic on September 19, 2004, resulting in heavy rains, severe flooding, and mudslides. The hurricane has caused a number of casualties and considerable damage to infrastructure (houses, telephones, power networks, and roads) in eastern and north-eastern parts of the country, including the province of Puerto Plata. Water services are still interrupted in many communities in the provinces of Altagracia, El Seybo, Hato Mayor, Samaná, Maria Trinidad Sanchez, Espaillat, and San Pedro. Travellers should check with their travel agent or tour operator to determine whether the hurricane has affected their travel arrangements, and plan accordingly. Canadians should avoid disaster areas, follow the advice of local authorities, and contact the Canadian Embassy in Santo Domingo or the Consulate of Canada in Puerto Plata should they require assistance. The following Travel Report(s) were updated: Bangladesh Mali Country Travel Reports may be updated after 3 p.m. (EDT), so if you want to ensure that you have the most up-to-date information, please visit our Travel Updates page. - 30 - For more information, please contact : voyage@dfait-maeci.gc.ca Foreign Affairs Canada 125 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0G2 Tel.: 1 800 267-6788 (in Canada and the U.S.) or (613) 944-6788 Fax: (613) 996-2157 Internet: www.voyage.gc.ca
