US Govt Tells Expatriates to Prepare to Evacuate in any Emergency

January 24, 2003

WASHINGTON (AFX) - The US government is advising its expatriate citizens around the world to be prepared for emergency evacuations from their country of residence, in the event of war, natural disasters or other unforeseen circumstances, a senior State Department official said.

The official said the cable had not been sent in anticipation of a conflict with Iraq but refused to deny that that possibility was behind the timing of the instruction.

He said the department has sent diplomatic cables to all US embassies and consulates abroad instructing them to alert Americans in their jurisdictions to be ready for any eventuality.

"We thought it was appropriate to remind people to take ordinary and routine precautions," the official told reporters on condition of anonymity.

"It mentions all the possible and various unforeseen events in the world," the official said.

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