Laos Public Announcement

Issued by US Department of State

May 24, 2007

This Public Announcement is being issued to update American citizens about continuing security concerns in northern Laos. Sporadic clashes and military movements in northern Vientiane Province were reported in March and April. This Public Announcement supersedes the Public Announcement dated February 23, 2007 and expires on August 23, 2007.

The U.S. Embassy in Laos continues to receive reports from multiple sources of sporadic fighting between Lao Government forces and unidentified opponents and of increased movements by Lao Government forces in the area of Vang Vieng in northern Vientiane Province beginning around February 7. The Embassy received similar reports in March and April. The U.S. Embassy continues to urge U.S. citizens to exercise caution in and around the area of Vang Vieng and recommends against any ground travel north from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang.

U.S. Embassy personnel 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.