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| International |
| US warns Americans of possible retaliation for Iraq |
| 2003-03-20 |
| The U.S. government on Wednesday warned Americans around the world, and especially in the Middle East and North Africa, against possible reprisal attacks over U.S. military action in Iraq. A worldwide cautionary statement issued by the U.S. State Department warned of the potential for "anti-American violence" against U.S. citizens and U.S. interests that could involve conventional, chemical or biological weapons. "Public demonstrations carry the potential for precipitating violence directed at American citizens, symbols associated with the United States or other U.S. and Western interests," the State Department said. The message, which updated a Feb. 6 worldwide warning, came less than two hours after the U.S. military launched an air raid on Baghdad as part of its plan to oust Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. A second warning tailored specifically for Americans in the Middle East and North Africa said that "tensions generated by the current crisis in Iraq have increased the potential threat." The State Department last cautioned Americans in the region on Nov. 20. As the old sarge on Hill Street Blues used to say, "let's be careful out there." |
| Posted by:Steve White |