Federal Register: March 24, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 56)NoticesPage 14301-14302From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

DOCID:fr24mr99-117

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Office of the Secretary

Public Notice--3004Extension of the Restriction on the Use of United States Passports for Travel To, In or Through Iraq

On February 1, 1991, pursuant to the authority of 22 U.S.C. 211a and Executive Order 11295 (31 FR 10603), and in accordance with 22 CFR 51.73 (a)(2) and (a)(3), all United States passports, with certain exceptions, were declared invalid for travel to, in, or

[Page 14302]through Iraq unless specifically validated for such travel. The restriction was originally imposed because armed hostilities then were taking place in Iraq and Kuwait, and because there was an imminent danger to the safety of United States travelers to Iraq. American citizens then residing in Iraq and American professional reporters and journalists on assignment there were exempted from the restriction on the ground that such exemptions were in the national interest. The restriction has been extended for additional one-year periods since then, and was last extended on March 20, 1998.

Conditions in Iraq remain unsettled and hazardous, and tensions remain high. Iraq continues to refuse to comply with UN Security Council resolutions to fully declare and destroy its weapons of mass destruction and missiles while mounting a virulent public campaign in which the United States is blamed for maintenance of U.N. sanctions. Between December 14-18, 1998, this refusal resulted in extensive coalition air strikes against Iraqi military targets. Since December 1998, the Iraqi Airforce has violated the northern and southern no-fly zones on more than 100 occasions, and coalition aircraft have been fired upon in more than 60 incidents.

Local conflicts within Iraq also pose hazards to travellers. Military repression of Shia communities continues in southern Iraq with reports that hundreds of persons were summarily killed in security sweeps during 1998. In the north, tens of thousands of Iraqi soldiers remain poised for possible military operations against Kurd, Turkomen, and Assyria Iraqis.

Iraq's economy was severely damaged during the Gulf War and continues to be affected by the government of Iraq's refusal to implement fully the UN's Oil for Food program. Basic modern medical care and medicines may not be available to our citizens in case of emergency.

U.S. citizens and other foreigners working inside Kuwait near the Iraqi borders have been detained by Iraqi authorities in the past and sentenced to lengthy jail terms for alleged illegal entry into the country. Although our interests are represented by the Embassy of Poland in Baghdad, its ability to obtain consular access to detained U.S. citizens and to perform emergency services is constrained by Iraqi unwillingness to cooperate. In light of these circumstances, I have determined that Iraq continues to be a country ``where there is imminent danger to the public health or physical safety of United States travellers''.

Accordingly, United States passports shall continue to be invalid for use in travel to, in, or through Iraq unless specifically validated for such travel under the authority of the Secretary of State. The restriction shall not apply to American citizens residing in Iraq on February 1, 1991, who continue to reside there, or to American professional reporters or journalists on assignment there.

The Public Notice shall be effective upon publication in the Federal Register and shall expire March 20, 2000, unless sooner extended or revoked by Public Notice.

Dated: March 18, 1999. Madeleine K. Albright, Secretary of State.

FR Doc. 99-7324Filed3-22-99; 2:36 pmBILLING CODE 4710-06-U