This Public Announcement is being issued to inform American citizens about security concerns in northern Laos. Multiple sources report fighting between Lao Government forces and one or more unidentified groups as well as increased movements by Lao Government forces in the area of Vang Vieng in northern Vientiane Province beginning around February 7. This Public Announcement expires on May 23, 2007.

The U.S. Embassy in Laos has received reports from multiple sources of fighting between Lao Government forces and one or more unidentified groups and of increased movements by Lao Government forces in the area of Vang Vieng in northern Vientiane Province beginning around February 7. The U.S. Embassy urges U.S. citizens to exercise caution in and around the area of Vang Vieng and recommends against travel by any form of ground transportation north from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang.

U.S. Embassy personnel currently are prohibited from undertaking personal travel by ground transportation north of Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang, along Route 13 and contiguous roadways.

U.S. citizens are strongly encouraged to consult the Department of State's Consular Information Sheet for Laos, and the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, located at http://travel.state.gov. For further information, U.S. citizens may also contact the Department of State toll-free from within the United States and Canada at 1-888-407-4747, or outside the U.S. and Canada, on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. The U.S. Embassy is located at Thanon Bartholonie (near Tat Dam), in Vientiane; from the U.S., mail may be addressed to U.S. Embassy Vientiane, Box V, APO AP 96546; tel (856-21) 267-000; duty officer emergency cellular telephone (856-20) 550-2016; consular section fax number (856-21) 267-040; internet http://LAOS.USEMBASSY.GOV; e-mail: conslao@state.gov.