Fed: Muggings more danger than al-Qaeda, travel advice says

AAP General News (Australia)
04-06-2004
Fed: Muggings more danger than al-Qaeda, travel advice says

CANBERRA, April 6 AAP - Australians heading for the United States have been warned
to watch out for thieves and tsunamis rather than terrorists in the latest travel advice.

There is no mention of Osama bin Laden's terrorist group al-Qaeda in the advice issued
today on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) website.

Australians are still warned the US is on a yellow security alert, meaning there is
a significant risk of a terrorist attack, and are advised to check US government websites
before travelling there.

But DFAT has removed a warning that al-Qaeda could use domestic and international flights
in the United States to further its cause.

Instead, Australians are warned about petty crime, natural disasters and tough local
drug laws, and are told to expect to be fingerprinted and photographed on arrival.

"The United States is subject to a wide range of natural hazards including tsunamis,
volcanoes and earthquake activity around the Pacific Basin; hurricanes along the Atlantic
and Gulf of Mexico coasts; tornadoes in the midwest and southeast; mudslides in California;
forest fires in the west; and flooding," DFAT said.

"Crime rates are higher in the larger cities ... tourists are often targeted for petty
crimes such as pickpocketing and theft, particularly on transportation systems in major
cities.

"Australians are reminded that when overseas, they are subject to local law. Penalties
for drug-related offences, including marijuana use, are severe and provide for minimum
mandatory sentences."

It tells travellers that under the US-VISIT program, Australians will have to have
two fingerprints scanned by an inkless device and have a digital photograph taken on arrival
from September 30.

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KEYWORD: US AUST

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