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- Mar 5, 1999
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On February 11, the American Embassy in Kathmandu issued a message with the
following information to American citizens in Nepal:
February 13 will mark the fourth anniversary of the start of the Maoist
insurgency in Nepal. The United States Embassy in Kathmandu has information
indicating that Maoists will heighten their activities throughout Nepal
between February 12 and February 19. Additionally, there is information
indicating that the Maoists intend to target Nepali government facilities
and officials, large businesses, and the offices of foreign organizations in
the Kathmandu Valley. No specific targets are known.
In light of this information, American citizens and American-affiliated
organizations and businesses in Nepal are reminded to review their security
practices and to contact the local police or the U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu
if they observe any unusual activity. American citizens are urged to
register at the U.S. Embassy, where they can obtain updated information on
the security situation in Nepal.
For additional information on travel to Nepal, please consult the Consular
Information Sheet for Nepal dated December 23, 1999.
SAFETY/SECURITY: Since February 1996, a rural Maoist insurgency in Nepal
has resulted in the deaths of at least 1,000 people. Because of the
potential for violence, the U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu forbids U.S.
Government employees from traveling to or through Jajarkot, Kalikot, Rolpa,
Rukum, Salyan, and Sindhuli districts. These districts have been most
seriously affected by the insurgency. The Department of State cautions
American citizens to avoid travel to or through these areas. In addition,
the Embassy restricts U.S. Government employee travel to or through Dolakha,
Gorkha, Kabhre, Dang, Dolpa, Pyuthan, Ramechaap, Sindupalchok, and Surkhet
districts. Only essential, daylight travel is permitted in these areas.
American citizens traveling in these districts are advised to exercise
extreme caution. Maoist incidents have also occurred in other districts,
including in the Kathmandu Valley. Security problems may occur anywhere in
Nepal. Maoist groups have threatened to take actions against
non-governmental organizations (NGO's) they perceive to have an American
affiliation. American NGO's working in Nepal have been attacked by Maoists,
in at least one case explicitly because of the organization's association
with the United States. Because of frequently changing security conditions,
U.S. Government employees are periodically forbidden from road travel
outside the Kathmandu Valley, particularly when the likelihood of violence
is high, such as during elections or on Maoist anniversary dates in February
and April. The U.S. Embassy recommends that road travel outside the
Kathmandu Valley be undertaken only during daylight. American citizens are
strongly urged to check with the U.S. Embassy upon arrival in Nepal to
receive the latest security information, since the potential for violence
now extends to areas that have in the past been relatively free of such
activity.
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Blessings from the computer shack in Reno.
Uncle Bill
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